Dearest Margie: July 24, 1940

Dearest Margie,

I don't know exactly how to start this letter because things have happened so fast these last few days that I can't keep up with my feelings. I can't tell you how much I was disappointed to hear you couldn't come, I just felt at first like sitting down and crying for once. But Margie I want you to know that I realize the situation and although I feel disappointed, I also feel as you do, that maybe it's for the best. I am very sorry to hear your mother isn't strong enough for a train trip, but I know she will soon be in perfect health and you wouldn't want to do anything that would hinder its improvement. Please tell her that I greatly appreciated the note she wrote me, and give her my deepest regards.

I really never looked forward to anything more in my life than that week you were going to spend with me. Darline I was just walking on air and I knew that this couldn't be just temporary, but that it was love. I'm not trying to make things worse, but just trying to tell you that this must be the real thing. And that's what's driving me mad, not being able to see each other and really experiencing it. Gosh! I wonder what it's like, this ought to make San Francisco terrific, if I ever get there. I've just got to get there early, and you do too, even if I have to send a railroad ticket to you.

I've been thinking it over and I've decided that as long as you can only be there about three days, I will take the weekend off from the chapters and get a room in the city so I can spend just as much time with you that's possible.

But darling, I am worried. What if Chuck should come back a changed boy, which I imagine he will do, then the old feeling might return before we got a chance to see each other and really find out if what we feel now is true. I guess that's one reason why I looked forward so much to seeing you, but the real reason I guess will just have to wait until I can tell you in person in Frisco. I'm playing "I'll Never Smile Again" and maybe you don't that's appropriate. I really think the part that says I'll never smile again until I smile at you was written for me.

I got your picture and I liked it very much. However, if its the wrong one I'll send it back, but hurry and get the other one here. And if its not as good or better I'm liable to put you over my knee and spank you, instead of taking you in my arms, when I meet you at the train. (Don't believe me I'm just kidding. I used to dream of taking you in my arms when you got off the train in Chicago, but I'll just have to postpone that.)

Your story was wonderful and now I'm just hoping the end comes out the way we want it too. I think one way you could pep me up would be to write me everyday, but I realie that's a hard job.

Say, maybe I'm awfully dumb, but what Ginny are you talking about? Not that I know very many of them, but the only one I can think f is Conzeleman.

The head is driving me nuts. It hit 100 here today and I have to wear two shirts a day because it's awfully sticky. Even worse than California.

Keep your fingers crossed and maybe I'll be out in Denver, Colo. in about six weeks. I hope so because the nearer I can get to the coast the better. Gosh Denver seems almost like home. Maybe i could get an extra roundtrip ticket from LA to Denver and you could com ethere for the weekend.

I don't like this bachelors life at all, and although I can get a couple of dates now, they don't interest me.

I'm worried about something else too. Back here they say if this military training passes Congress that all men from 21 - 25 will be drafted withing a month. I'm right near Ft. Sheridan and some of the officers said I might be in the first draft. Do you know what that means? It would be months before I could see you because I would be in a military camp for about 6 months. If this does happen I'm going to either fly out there or send for you, because I'll be darned if I'm going to wait for ever to see you. I would if I had to, but I will first do everything in my power to get to you. this waiting and suspense is awful.

Al and I are going out and see if we can start flying lessons and then maybe we could escape it and get in the flying reserve.

That's about all except that I miss you so much I can't express it in writing and I will close in the way you so aptly put it, and the way I love it.

Love in love,

Jim