The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-11-09
EMERGENCY CHAPTER XXV

Probably In deference Go Coach Pop Miller and his hopes for championship victory this week, the commandant at Lincoln Field had given each football player who wanted 1t e three. day leave from duty. Most of them took 1t with q whoop and q heller. They could sleep late, loaf go places In the city and at Pops direction concen- trato on strategy to whip the State U. tDam Thursday afternoon.
 Duane Hogan however, was somewhat of an exception. He liked to fly even more than he liked football. It came second only to his home occupation of ranching in his mind,
 'cguld have a ship for . while this afternoon, Sir' he asked Major WlnShip on Wednesday noon. "Coach Miller has ruled out any football work. I'd sort of like to--uh--"
 The major smiled. "Postmar, taking q walk on his day of Sailor, going boating in the park"
 Duane Rrinned. "Yes, sir"
 Take the ship of course, Hogan Like to see that Interest"
 "1 thought I might take up Heavy Underwood, too sir. He's knocked out Of the game, but he's well enough to fly as a passenger"
 That's the spirit, Hoganl Per init granted"
 Thank you, sir"
 That's why people liked big Duane from down on the Rio qrande. It was generally known by now that he blg-brothered the widow. Nancy Hale, and her little son when they were dramatically dumped Into the football teams lap Q while back, He had rebuilt the loft apartment for them He had given them a friendly social iush. He had brought baby Scooter q puppy one destined to play part in the Aggle game last week with Duane himselfI
 ft had all won them national prominence and it had linked puane'S name with Nancys in q romantic way. Duane himself had never commented on all that. Big, 'Quiet-mannered Duane.
 He and Heavy Underwood had fun for two hours trying out some new gadgets on q training ship, Heavy was not as quick at mathe- matics or at aeronautlcS in general es Duane, and the full-b0ck uttered | tho center.
 She's awful sensitive" Duane would say, for instance. When you handle the controls, Heavy don't slam 'em over like you were hazing steers Into boxcar, Treat l 'en delicate, like kissing q girl" | Heavy seoifed. How many girls you ever kisSed2"
 Never mind. But got Ideas about how to do It. sec"
 "IdeaS don't count there Ac- ton does"
 "Dut We ain't kissing girls now, we're flying, This takes brains"
 "Unh."
 The two friends could "saSs" each other endlessly and love it. Duane was smooth aviator Tn @ few weeks he'd get his bars, and Inc wanted Heavy Underwood to be graduated with him, He knew. too, that he'd be missing the big holes Heavy usually made in en- .efny football lines. He tried not 10 think Of the State game tomor- row.
 |. They came down around o'clock. and together went 10 kheir quarters. Another cadet saw them.
 "Hi, Hogan. somebody left phone coll for you he called out. '"Gomc dizzy dame"
 "Ail danes are dizzy" Undcr- wood proclaimed. "This one acted special"
 Who was it7' Duane asked casually. Mrs. Hale7 I got q dinner date there. Hope she isn't Breaking 1t. Me, l go for home cooking"
 "Wasnt the widow" the cadet aald. "sorIously, Hogan. she Gaid for you to call nt once. Sald it was an emergency. it waA Coach AfilleT's daughter. Blythel"
 "Iieyp That seemed to startle Duane. He dropped oil easy man. ner at once, strode Inside to the phone.
 fEe couldn't get Blythe at home. And at Pops ofiice all he could hear was q wild hubbub of mas culine voices. Whoever answered just said, "ehe amt around" But emergency.
 Blythe had said t was eEneF. !