The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1921-11-17

VIII you help me! VIII you, Tor IN
stance, 60 out to tea with me and
teach me how to toddle? My sister
tells me that's the latest thing in the
dance line
Hilda threw back her head in the
most musical burst of laughter John
had ever heard-or ever noticed. /
should say. "Of course WILL" she
said. 1--WE never been wild, either,
and l think it would be too dashing
for words to teach my employer how
to drink tea and toddle."
When, fifteen minutes later, John
Carey and Miss Bronson left the Office
behind them and entered taxi for the
Biltmore, John told her he had never
felt so utterly young and reckless in
his life before.
II suppose l ought to have a dread
full conscience to be leading you
astray like this-to be taking a young
thing of your tender years out for a
tOddle when I've just had my fOrtieth
birthdayY'
He looked so natvely anxious that
Hilda Bronson didn't have the heart
to tell him that she had just cele-
brated her thirtieth
You certainly should" she MUIR
INJURED. ITS the sort of thing the
villains in the movies do-and they
all come to bad end, too.'
well, must say it's well worth a
bad end" replied John CALAMITY, as
he helped her out. He couldn't help
wondering what his sister would say
could she see how quickly and magniti-
Gently he was following her advice.
They secured little table for two
at a window overlooking the street
and John ordered tea and toast and
raspberry ice and French pastry. And
between mouthfuls they joined the fox
trotting crowd on the floor and John
learned how to toddle.
1t was six o'clock when he left Hilda
Bronson at the door of her little apart
ment. Il can't thank you enough
he said at parting. Il feel twenty
five years old and a much better man
for having been so awfully wild. Will
you go again tomorrow at the same
time?"
So it happened that at four o'clock the
following day John Carey put down
his unfinished brief and called through
the door to Hilda: -Four O'Clock,
Miss Bronson. The wild hour is
upon US"
One night he took her out to dinner.
She protested a little at first, but it
was feeble resistance, and they dined
at gay restaurant on Broadway, and
Hilda pointed out to him the noted
actresses and screen favOrites who
passed in and out.
This is seeing life, indeed, for a
middle-aged lawyer" sighed John, and
he wondered why the crowds annoyed
him and why he wanted to punch big
fellow in the jaw because he stared
at Hilda. Surely that was all part OF
the game-and yet he resented it.
II wish we could go to some quiet
place after dinner" he sighed, invol-
UNFAIRLY.
Hilda looked at him with raised
brows. 1--WE could" she said. I'D
rather thought Of asking you before,
but l was so sure you preferred all
this. But if you come home to my
apartment we can sit before the open
fire and discuss our wild pasts. How
about it?"
you're a wonderful woman, Hilda
Bronson" said John, with fervor in
his tones. 1.-The open fire it is"
1t was the first time John had ever
been in Hilda's apartment. AS he sat
in big chair in front Of the fire he
looked around wonderingly. How
dainty everything was-ana yet how
livable. 1t was the sort Of room a
man dreamed about if he were away
from home. Hilda sat opposite him,
and he watched the reflection Of the
fire play on her hair, and he thought.
thought hard.
you are wonderful woman, Hilda
Bronson" he said finally, for the sec
ond time that night. His eyes smol-
dered with something in them that
made Hilda catch her breath. "Will
you marry me-a man without past
and give me the only future that is
worth ha'penny bit?'
But that wouldn't be wild" be-
gan Hilda. John interrupted her.
"D-n wilderness! !" he said. "What
we all want is happiness, and happi-
ness for me is just this-and YOU"