Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1942-05-28
continue with the story.
CHAPTER XVIII

II can't bear having anything hap
pen to Sybil," said Joan.
''How do you think I feel?" Paul
answered. His face was grim.
ooh, darling, don't blame your
SELF" Joan comforted, taking his
hand. "We'n think of some way
out"
"Karl's clever" Thomas remind
ed them. "He always wins in the
end"
"But he can't 60 on like this, -
Joan insisted. GAS Paul has told
US, even Karl must make mistake
sooner or later"
"Why don't you do it Karl's way,
Mr.. O'Malley?" Thomas urged
after all, what else can you do?'
For a moment Paul looked as
though he would strike him and
then, sinking into a chair, he
groaned '"There are some things
you don't understand"
81 understand" Joan cried. "You
mustn't consider me, Paul. You
must do what you feel is right !
became involved with Karl through
my own volition. 1t was no fault of
yours. And I don't want you to feel
responsible
"But I love you," Paul said quiet
ly. "You do believe that, don't
your"
"Of course I do, darling"
Thomas retired to one of the bed
rooms so that they were alone now.
II didn't expect Karl to arrive
so soon," Paul said. "Ive got to
play for more time. If I can do
that without making Milford suspi-
cious, my plans may come out all
right
"All right? Oh, Paul, then you do
have plan?"
"Of course I have, honey. You
don't think I'd walk into a trap like
this without planning some way out
of it, do your"
''Then what are you worrying
about?"
cts the time element" Paul ex-
planned.
"By the way, how did Karl get
here anyway" Joan asked curious
ly.
Probably landed up the coast and
flew"
81 have bunch everything's 60
ing to be all right" Joan comfort
ed, and Paul, kissing her tenderly,
wondered at the supreme confidence
of woman in love. It was true
he had made arrangements before
he left the ship for message to
get through to his superiors, but
Joan knew nothing about that. The
message would not be received
until tomorrow, which meant that
help could not come until the fol-
lowing day. How long could he stall
Karl and milford? If they suspected
anything, they would make him
pay through Joan, his only vulnera-
BILE point.
"She's so brave" he thought,
holding her close. But she didn't
realize the horrors that might be in
store for her. She had a childish
faith in him that wrung his heart.
What if he should fail her after all?
What if the message didn't gel
through? If flying conditions were
bad, that would mean another de-
lay. And each moment she was in
danger-she and Sybil. Even Thorn
as would pay if his plan went wrong.
Three lives depended upon his judg-
ment.
what are you thinking about,
darling?" Joan asked.
Holding her closer, as though she
were something very precious, Paul
replied, II was thinking that I love
you now-more than I ever have be.
fore :"
The next day dawned bright and
cold. Joan, Paul and Thomas wait.
ed in the living room. Paul was star.
ing out at the other house.
'tI'd like to know what's going or
over there" he said.
probably just as we'll you don't
know Thomas told him as he
spread out deck of soiled cards on
the table.
Joan went to Paups side, said
Don't worry, darling. You said
last night that you had a PLAN"
The cards fell from Thomas
hands. "a plan? Why didn't you
tell me? What is it?"
Paul frowned and Joan knew that
he had not intended to tell Thomas.
"I'm sorry" she said.
ut doesn't matter. He may as
we'll know"
Thomas face was lined with emo.
tions-"Tell mel" he begged.
'Do you remember the radio op-
orator on the ship?"