The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1945-08-23
The BuZZbomb
By JOYCE N. MARTIN
Mcclure syndicate-wNu Features.

Of it, and sank her head in her
hands. It sure had its bad mo-
ments, being kid sister to a glamour
girl whom a certain marine SER
geant in a foxhole in the South Pa
ciic had his heart set on.
"She's what I'm goin' overseas
to defend, kid" the sergeant had
confided to her with his soft Texas
accent, in that last '48" before he
showed off.
1.-THE general would just as soon
keep me here, on special duty. But
I've asked for a transfer, to get out
there where it's goin' on. Sure I'm
dependable. But don't you worry,
sis . I'll make the grade" he
treasured her. Its just that I want
to get it over with that much soon
er. so I can come back and settle
down in that little dream house Of
mine with the picket fence around
it. And I'm countin' on Diane
bein' there in a starchy apron, with
a flower in her hair, kissin' the
ole man good-by at the front gate
every mornin'."
1t was strictly a tough assignment.
The marine sergeant was a real
charmer. And he was in earnest.
The Buzzbomb could tell that he
was. But Diane just laughed her
musical laugh at everything he said.
"Oh, you Southerners," she evaded.
You'd talk a person into anything
-. you've all got such a way with
you" Then she had put on a VIC
trola record and said lightly: Lets
cut. lambie. No more funny talk
tonight"
The Buzzbomb shouldn't have
been listening, or even looking in
their direction, when it came time
for good-bys. But it just worked out
that there she was-down at the cor
ner bus stop-when he took Diane
in his arms for that last kiss. That
did it. The Buzzbomb was on the
marine sergeant's side from then
on.
The next few weeks passed
smoothly, somehow. The Buzzbomb
sighed with relief. Dear Sergeant"
she scrawled happily, Il am looking
out for your interests. Everything
is simply super here at home. No
competition so far. Your pal. The
Buzzbomb."
Then it happened. 1t was tall,
handsome and predatory and when
it smiled it only used its teeth.
Its draft board had written across
its 4-F card: Asthmatic. Allergy,
ragweed.
For a person suffering from
asthma. you certainly play a cork
ing game Of tennis" observed The
Buzzbomb pointedly one afternoon.
Don't you ever take time out to
rest between tennis, badminton and
bowling?"' Then. two weeks later,
There amt any ragweed in the
navy. you know. None in Iceland or
the Aleutians, either. A college man
al always get special duty. And
with all your ways Of selling stocks
to elderly widows, you could easily
sell War Bonds. 49,"
Diane had broken it up. Go
way, Buzzbomb," she said. Stop
being a pest"
That was the night The Buzzbomb
decided the emergency demanded
that she be unethical enough to peek
from behind DANES bedroom door.
1t was none too soon. She saw her
thoughtfully holding a ring up to the
light. 1t was a blue-white diamond,
big as a beet, and must have cost
the kind of money no one has ex-
cept a person who is cleaning up on
the war And the marine corps pin
that she usually wore over her heart
was lying, forlorn and neglected, on
the dresser.
There was only one thing to do.
Besides, wasn't all fair in love and
war? The marines must moi be let
down.
When Diane came back from her
tub. humming gaily. she sat down
at the dressing table to give her
cleaning shoulder-length hair its
fifty usual strokes. Then. with a
cry, she reused the family from
its beds.
Honest, Sergeant. l hated to be
heely-peely." confessed the Buzz
bomb in her longest, newsiest letter
to date. But you don't pass up
any chance TO outsmart the enemy
out there. So l used the same tao
tics here. And they sure did get
results!
Within an hour Tall. Handsome
and Predatory had returned to the
of the crime. And did he ever
blow his top. That ring isn't paid
for yet He got red in the face at
Diane. How could you be so stupid
and careless as to lose ito
Then Diane grew very white and
quiet. Stupid. you say? Careless?
Yes. I believe you're quite right. !
don't know how l could have been
so stupid or careless as to lose sight
of the best value I ever had. Thanks
for putting me straight Then she
turned into the house and locked the
door for the night