The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-09-30
A YANK
III
THE R. A. F.
PAGE EIGHT
By Horlon Thomos


most comfortable hosiery for
ferry pilots returning 70 America
To Tin Baker its name and loca-
ton meant nothing. as the army
car drove up before its tapped and
darkened WINDOWS. Under the
portecochere. renowned from 9TH
er years. a belated news vendor
fingered with his load OF papers.
carefully folded under in the Lon
don style. and carrying a large
poster reading. Hitler Promises 10
Respect Dutch-Belgisn Neutral
ity" The night porter hurried out
upon the wet sidewalk and opened
the car door.
Three men lay sprswled in it:
Tim. his oo-pilot and his radio
operator. The chauffeur turned
about. It's time 10 wake up, sir.
We're at the hotel sir.
Tim rubbed his eyes. Go
away" He made a move as II to
get out. then thought better OF
ii and settled down again for an
other nap. Keep rolling
It's the Victoria in Great Rus
sell Square. sir. and the orders
Tim blinked and looked out
upon the rain splsshing into the
black expanse of the square. An
other large body of water" Tim
mumbled.
I'm afraid you'll have to get
out. sir" the chauffeur insisted
IT'S against orders for me to
loiter here. sir"
Tim yawned. Then a sudden
suspicion struck him. He turned
to the porter. Running water >
lot and cold. sir the man
obliged. AT any hour. And If
it's not 'ot. there's always
pitcher to oe 'ad from the cham
bermaid, sir"
After coming three thousand
/ miles. I'm entitled to a bucket
brigade. Tim said, staggering out.
His crew weakly followed him
Each man dropped his kit bag to
the pavement. where the porter
retrieved it. I'm going to sleep
till the boat pulls out" Tim said
They floundered through the re-
volving door. AS Tim entered it,
trim, pertly groomed girl came
cut of the MOTEL. carrying a puppy
dog in her arms. The leaves of
the door flipped about between
! him and her He saw ner put the
dog down on the pavement and
went right on around, until he
started off into the murk. He
was outside the hotel again. ION
second thought. I can sleep all
the way home on the boat" he
said to his co-pilot, who was just
entering. He passed the radio
operator. Il think I've found the
beam again. he said out of the
side of his mouth. and started
down the square. Both men stop
ped and smiled after MIN before
going into the bright lights.
He followed the girl and the dog
along the fog -shrouded buildings
Finally he began to make soft,
far-off noise: "Meouw meouw
The dog whirled about. glared
and barked convulsively The girl
cast a glance back. Tim moved
closer and studiously lifted his hat
u beg your pardon-but have you
seen anything of a gray-white
cat ,"
Cat ," the girl said, surprised
why. no."
She turned away. Tim closed in
beside her. She's beautiful
creature-been in the family fol
years. You know - with long
silky fur
The girl paused in her stride
and glanced about for the miss
ing animal Tim pretended &c
look too. Just then a young mar
in an Army officers uniform step
ped forward from the corner. He
looked fresh and dapper undel
the fog: he saiuted her briskly
Hello. darlin" He shot a curiou.
glance at Tim.
Tim hurriedly tipped his hat Il
the girl and went off.
Friend of yours >" the office
was asking her.
"No-iust a man who's lost hi
cat" She hooked her arm int
the officers.
Poor chap" he said sympathe
ticallv. He must be terribly GU
up - what =" They disappeared
into the gloom. Tim looked sfte
them.
Tim had been standing for SOM
time. wondering whether TO pus
on through the clammy dark o
whether to 60 back 10 the hote
where the two men would laugl
| at his failure. when ne heard
rsucous changing like that Of fir
engines. II was approaching dow
1 side street. Now the BACKED
cut trucks swung into the square
He made them out TO be am
balances. They came at rockies
speed. braked suddenly and dre'
i NJ abreast OF the station Of IN
| Underground at the corner Thei
rear doors burst open, severs
women in uniform jumped slmu
] taneouslv ont Of each. Curiou