The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-03-27

to the desk. / have to hunt thing
for the patrons"
What kind Of things ?" his eye
twinkling. do they lose their nit
tens ?"
oh. no. grsvely. They wan
70 know the color of Cleopatra
hair and how many children Mr.
Farley has. and how to make chees,
omelet."
"Ye gods-you must have funs
Of information"
IT'S all in the books" Glancins
IT the desk Hilda busted hersel
with another shelf. Although Mis-
Clark's eagle eye was upon her sh,
wa reluctant to terminate the ex
citing conversation. Mr.. Carhar'
was most attractive.
Shabby Men
He was 90 unlike the shabby
young men who frequented tho
reading room. There was an al,
about him, . dash. something OF
breeding and culture which APP
pcaled to Hilda. And quite OBJ.
viously she appealed to him. Hi,
eyes slid from the top of her shin
ing head to her slim ankles and
small, arched feet.
Her hair was straight and hung
almost to her shoulders, curling
under in page boy style. When she
moved II swung in a fascinating
way. There was something family
foreign in the width of her cheek
bones and full red lips.
She had lovely hands, aristo-
cratic hands. slender with tapering
fingers and pointed nails. She
wore a bizarre smock, buttoned at
the back like child's pinaforc.
Mr.. Carhart had noticed
these things for weeks. She
was different, definitely .
type
do you like being a librarian ?"
he asked, wanting to hear her
voice. 1t. too, was different.
She shook her head, the soft hair
swinging. I'm not a librarian, just
an apprentice" she said. When !
get my money I'll go to library
school,"
"Oh, are you waiting for your
ship to come In ?"
YES" soberly, in October. !"
From the corner of her eye Hilda
saw Miss Clark rise from the desk.
Giving the books one more pat she
smiled at Keith and moved grace
fully away.
He opened his magazine. Often
during the evening his eyes strayed
from the printed page to regard
Hilda ~ she graciously accumu-
lated material on everything from
soap to Socrates.
At nine o'clock he waited near
the side entrance wondering II he
dared ask her to have a bite Of
supper with him. Not that young
Mr. Carhart was backward in his
advances. But the girl was diff
ferent.
Lighted Doorway
Librarians poured from the
lighted doorway, chatting and
Some went on alone, some
got into cars with young men. At
last Hilda came, trim and smart
Ia . cheap little suit and small
hat on the back of her flaxen head.
Keith took a step forward. He
was lonely, had been lonely for
Il would be pleasant to
spend IN hour with Hilda Gregson.
And Hilda, powdering her petite
hose. had been In glow Of ex-
The young man, Keith
was as nice as he looked.
And he'd spoken to her. What
would 1t Be like, she wondered, to
have q date with Mr.. Carhart?
The very thought Of 1t took her
breath. For Hilda was 20 without
one date to her credit. Her father
seemed to think her still a child,
over her like a hen with
Dne chick. Thinking rebelliously of
these things she stepped from the
lighted doorway. Immediately she
Daw Mr.. Carhart in the shadows.
Even while her heart did .
0ip-flop another figure APP
poared before her. He was m
odd looking specimen, thin and
bony, hands and wrists dam
Cling from too short coat
sleeves, Ioag, hawk-like face
and cavernous eyes.
Good even. Nees Hilda," he said
humbly.
Yes. Nischa." Reluctantly she
Tell in step beside him. She glanced
over her shoulder. Goodnight, Mr..
abe said sweetly.
Aischla's head swung a. II on q
pivot.
Goodnight. Miss Gregson."
Keith turned and walked In the OPP
poGite direction. He was well built,
tall nor short, moved with
m easy confidence.
His features were almost too
perfect for . man. Both Hilda and
AGiochla watched him until he
rounded q corner.
Must you always come for me.
AGischla :" Hilda's voice held soft,
complaining note.
TT 10 xe orders"
You and father think me .
baby" family indignant.
Little girls must not walk xe
streets alone. MOI"
HnAA giggisd. 'Thces leetie
g1F1 wood not haf been alone,
yes:s
lglschla grsmted. In silence
tAey entered . Sheridan ave.
-. 1Glschla lurched to q seat
af ~ hack. At 78rd they
o1fghtD6 and ~ ssw Htlda
safely In . pretentioss hotel
be1eEe lesv1ng her.
~ took IN elevator to the top
(1oor. ne hall was narrow and
dimiy lighted. walking to the ex-
IRENE end of the hall she opened
! door.