The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-10-10
A YANK In
THE R. A. F.
CONTINUED From Page Elsvenl
By HARLAN THOMAS


Rogers WY. freckled grin. "okay.
come on and keep me company On
the way in. Let's hurry"
Roger remained seated on the
cot. oh. but I'm not taking the
train III give you an hours head
start have q car. old chap" He
chuckled. got UP in leisurely style.
threw his trench-eoat over his arm
and set out in the opposite diree-
ton. sCheerio.r
Tim watched Rogers light-foot-
ed steps; he paused, rubbed his
chin a moment and then hurried
after him. When ne caught up. he
was fun Of friendliness. Boy"
He dropped a long arm on Rogers
shoulder. That's what l call q
break You having a car"
Roger smbled along past the
hangar. casual and unimpressed.
1T won't do you any good to
throw those hints around, old man.
II you won't share your female
with me. certainly won't share
my Austin with you"
Why. whoever said :"
They arrived at Rogers car.
Roger hoped in. Tim hurried
around to the other side. Say.
Roger. boy. there's nothing I'd
rather do than introduce you to
Miss Brown"
Roger besmed. Really Fancy
that, And there's nothing I'd
rather do. old top, than to drive
you up to London. Won't you get
I'M"
Tim already was in.
They breezed down narrow
country roads at dusk. passing
stiles. hedgerows and clusters Of
matched cottages at the cross
roads. Each village had its moss
grown church, ancient vicarage.
half timbered schoolhouse and
coy, low-ceilinged pub. After THE
Red Horse" came The Green Dra-
gon"; several miles on there was a
wins; with the next hamlet
came a "By-the-Tower."
Roger, speeding. counted up on
his fingers: One - two-three---
four" Then. hurting down the road
between a sleepy. brookside patch
work of houses. he discovered a
Green Dragon" counted Five
and slammed on the brakes.
What the hells the matter ,"
Tim asked as Roger pulled up at
the curb.
Roger Pillby gazed fondly at the
hospitable doorway on their right.
"A fellow can't stop at every pub
on the way, can he now" He
climbed out gingerly. so. you see.
l make an arbitrary rule to stop
only at every fifth one"
"Hey!"
Il beg pardon
I'm in a hurry"
Roger leaned upon the door.
Look at it this way, old man. II
you were taking the train, and you
ran all the way to the station,
you'd only be halfway to the sta
ton by now. We can have a beak-
er while you're stopping to catch
your breath"
Tins tense face relaxed reluc-
family. Zone beaker and one
breath-okay. If you put it that
way. Hurry it, though"
They crossed over to the pub.
This is really an occasion" Roger
said, chuckling. "A red-letter day,
you might say. At last I'm to
achieve the thing I've been point
ing at so long"
Roger wasn't to be disconnected.
Eth? So l am. So l am"
They approached the doorway.
next to which a news poster had
been mounted The black type
read: GERMAN INVASION OF
BELGIUM FEARED"
Roger looked and considered.
Those fellows are really a bad lot,
don't you Think" He ambled in
side.
Tim was in a hurry to get IL
over with. The Green Dragon"
was a fine old paneled. musty ale
house. Farmers and local ARP.
wardens, off duty, were sitting
about, smoking, playing darts,
drinking great tankards. A plump
young barmaid smiled at Roger as
he entered and brought out two
glasses from the rack. "Oh, hello"
she said cheerily. How are you,
Mr.. Roger ,"
Fine. fine" Roger answered,
coming abreast of her. And you.
Mabel"
| I'm not complaining. sir" she
cast a glance at Tim. viii you
be having the usual" she asked
Roger.
Naturally"
She eyed Tim again. And you,
sir?
Naturally" said Tim, intrigued
and grinning.
Ito Be Continued)