The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-03-06
NO REFUGE FROM LOVE
CHAPTER ONE

AOLl<A 11EIANDOkN blOOO at the
rail Of the ship as 1t nosed gently
pastaSandy Hook and up New York
harbor. Stray wisps Of golden hair
nuttered from beneath her hat in
the brisk winter wind. She pulled
her coat collar higher.
The ship was gray, the water
was gray, and so, too, was the sky
line OF lower Manhattan, rising ma
jestically In front Of her, almost
out Of the water itself.
On the surface, 1t was a somber
vista for Molla Glendon as gusty
furries Of snow eddied about in
the air currents. But there was a
faint smile on Molla's face, and a
brighter smile in her heart which
more than counter balanced the
sullen, leaden skies of the past nine
days.
New York Yes, and more
than New York, America!
Molla Glendon wanted TO hold
her breath for fear the tiniest lit
tie movement would brush reality
away. It was just as she had seen
1t In numerous news reels in Oslo
and London. There they were-the
massive. soaring skyscrapers, each
one straining skyward to outreach
the other. And beyond and below
in their deep canyons were the mil
lions Of people, scurrying about,
unused to blackouts and falling
bombs.
Soon, In an hour, she would be
one Of them. For a brief moment
she was afraid. Afraid that she
might be swallowed up and lost.
She was angry with herself for the
very thought. Afraid in New York,
That was ironical and silly. 1t was
enough to make her laugh.
The only thing Molla regretted
was that no one would be there to
meet her at The pier. That couldn't
be helped, though. How were the
Whitworths to know the ship was
getting in day early? After they
once left Liverpool the captain had
allowed no messages to be sent out.
Not even after they reached the
Grand Banks off Newfoundland. He
was taking no chances.
When the tugs came out to meet
the ship, Molla went back to her
cabin for final look at her lug
gage. Captain Burgwin met her as
she came out again. The leathery
wrinkles In his face relaxed.
The ships master extended his
hand. Il want to thank you again
for what you did for us this trip,
Miss Glendon." Then he took her
two hands in his. And best of
luck. You deserve 1t. A full meas
ure Of it."
Molla smiled. THANK you, Cap
tain. / hope deserve It. But please
don't thank me for what I did that
night last week. It was nothing
much, really 1t wasn't"
Twenty minutes later the ship
edged alongside the pier. Molla
took q deep breath and walked
down the gangplank. The hard ce-
ment felt good. II was America.
Solid, just as she knew It would be.
All around her there was an dir
Of mild confusion. A young mother
with twin baby girls In her arms
stood looking about curiously, yet
with an expression Of infinite re-
lief.
An old man who walked with a
cane gestured actively and spoke
excitedly In Central European
tongue TO customs man who
merely smiled and waited until the
old gentleman Gained down and re-
gained his command Of English.
Then customs Official ap-
preached Molla
Your father wants you, Mr..
Whitworth."
Taylor Whitworth grimaced at
his secretary. Tell me, Miss Bliss,
what are the weather signs on the |
face OF my nearest paternsl rela-
tivei Unsettled. threatening or
stormy?"
His secretary laughed. Rather
fair. l should say, but we aren't
giving any guarantees II you ex-
pect to go on a picnic"
He grinned, and when Tay Whit
worth grinned you got the idea he
could dismiss any sort Of catastro-
phs with something less than q
Ehrug.
There was no formality Of
knocking when Tay barged in on