The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-10-06
A YANK
THE r. A. F.
By Horlon Themes

Morley nodded.
II opportunity knocks, would
YOU drop in a word for Roger Pill
BY ."
IF opportunity knocks. " Morley
gravely corrected. 7 shall be
speeehless. He nodded and went
out. Roger nursed his glass.
The Wing Commander took the
same seat in the lobby which Tim
Baker had occupied several DAYS
before. He. too. smoked five sig
arettes IN nervous succession He,
too. had TO watch brother officers
arise from either side OF him and
make of with the center and left
end Of the chorus. Al last Carol
appeared. wearing sleek. simple
gray suit. and looking so fresh
and crisp that ii seemed impos-
sible she had just finished a Cruel
ing routine IN smoke-filled room.
Morley started up. pulled himself
together. cleared his throat and
advanced boldly. 7 say - hello.
there" he burst out. stepping into
her path. II hate to be per-
sistent"
She had not glanced about as
she left the dressing room door
way She stopped. surprised. she
breathed out in mild. half-amused
annoyance. u really think you en-
JOY it"
Well" he stumbled. Il suppose
yes Exactly. do" He smiled
thickly and mastered himself.
And now that we've run into each
other, perhaps you'll have supper
with me >"
She appraised him shrewdly.
I'D like to very much-but I'm
afraid my husband wouldn't like
it,"
Morley bhnked. Your =? Oh.
Really" He managed a siekly
smile You mean to say you're
married >"
That's the way you usually get
husbands, she said affably
He slowly recovered his bearing
and humor. It's rather stupid of
me. CHI l suppose | should have
considered the possibility OF hus-
band, but I didn't" He sighed
stockily Il doubt if your husband
would approve of my dismantling
your distributor
I'm afraid he wouldn't"
"Of course'-he was quite him.
self again. mature. self-possessed.
be-ribboned, smiling there was
nothing wrong with what l did.
That cars as good as it ever was"
Carol laughed Il think it works
better that l know its inner
most secrets She took an inde-
terminate step away from him.
Goodbye and thank you"
Cant sec you home ,"
I'm sorry. but my husbands
coming to pick me up."
Her cool declaration shook him
off. Il see that ! made a botcn of
this all over again" he said wryly.
But I've enjoyed meeting you
once more" He offered her his
hand. Goodbye"
AS she shook hands with him.
he glanced down at her other
hand. His eyes popped with sud
den. reawakened interest. No ring
was to be seen on the third finger.
Goodbye" she was saying,
simply.
However" he added, in a new
tone of quiet. calculated assur-
ance. since your husband isn't
here yet, we may as well sit down
and have a cigarette"
His rekindled interest vaguely
mystified her. y wish you wouldn't
wait, she said quickly as ne took
out a cigarette case. He might
misunderstsnd"
Il don't see how ne could
Morley said amiably. Il rather I'M
agine he'd think the joke was on
me 4"
she hesitsted. Then. concealing
her confusion. she sat down.
Cigarette ," he asked.
No. thank you"
He lit up, and stole a glance Of
calm amusement at her sealed
face. They sat silent a moment.
Perhaps I will have Gig
arctic. . she said. non plussed
He snapped out MS case again.
Certainly He offered her a light.
The putting steadied her for a mo-
ment He waited plaeidly beside
her. Finally, nervously. she blurt-
ed, He might nave fallen asleep"
Quite possibly"
There was another pause He
works al day" she added.
Really >"
She glanced determinedly az the
hotel door once more. Then. lean
ing back. she passed a quick look
over Morley. His broad face be-
trayed nothing she smoked n s.
lence. crossed her knees and swung
her foot impatientiy. After several
swings she uncrossed them. Her
left hand Travelled 70 her knee.
She glanced down = suddenly re-
membered that her hand bore no
ring and abruptly covered II.
I'm afraid something mas kept
him. shs said
Morley's calm. possessed ar had
not changed. Possibly
B She shot MIN a look again and
then rose. 7 guess III 20 along
Morley followed her. I'd be de-
lighted 20 drive you
That won't be necessary"
-rhaxr started for -na ra,--f.rsr.r .,