The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-03-29
Miss
SOMEBODY

Hsss stranger. You know noth-
Ing of his people. -
oh. YES do. He told me all
about them She gurgled youth
fully. I'm sure his intentions are
honorable. Karl. He wants 10
meet you. Hes coming home with
me tonight
His sigh was one OF faint re-
lief. II he could see the young
man. talk to him. OF course
Hilda must fall in love some day.
He had hoped not yet. not until
other things happened. But If Mr..
Carhart was a good honest Ameri-
can. II he were in position to
care for her This wish 10 meet
her father was a good sign. 4
very good sign.
Very well. dear one" he said.
Il shall be very glad to meet the
young man
Hilda beamed at him. As
fathers 60 you're quite guy, = she
said implshly.
Karl ate almost no breakfast.
His eyes followed Hilda's every
movement with a yearning tender
ness. knowing her heritage of hot
blood he was terrified for her. The
Gregson flame was deyouring
thing, as unquenchable as 1t was
devastating. Karl blamed himself.
Why had he allowed the child TO
take a position 3? Especially one
which kept her away from home
in the evening.
No other line of work would he
have considered, but she had
begged so hard and the library
seemed a cultural background. one
where contacts could be made
without danger.
Watching her butter small bits
of toast and eat them daintily he
could see her mother. Elise had
not worn page boy hair dress,
her hair had been long and dark.
But the eyes were the same. eager,
expectant eyes, filled with dancing
lights, crinkling when she laughed.
And when Elise's eyes looked at
him they held the soft shininess
which frightened him in Hildas
eyes.
County,
As she put on her hat he stood
with his hand on the door knob.
Karl was always courtly in his
manner toward her.
'Is it your night to work - she
asked, searching in her purse for
bus fare.
1T is, but I'll arrange for a SUBJ
stitute. I'll try to make favor
able impression on your friend"
Saying it he smiled wryly.
Darling, he'll adore you" rails
ing her lips for his kiss. Treat
him like a person, won't you? I
mean-don't be fatherly and talk
down to him. You're much too
handsome to be fatherly.'
He laughed and opened the door.
And you're much too young to
tell your father how to behave"
And above all don't you dare
ask him his intentions. if any"
half laughing, half in earnest.
That sort of thing went out be-
fore the Germans marched through
Duerania."
It was long day for Hilda. By
late afternoon she was jittery with
excitement. She dropped books,
broke pencil points, put the New
York Times on the Los Angeles
rack and told an inquirer that
Achilles was the god of love.
Miss Gregson-what is the
trouble ," Miss Clark asked in ex-
ASPIRATION.
Hilda's shiny smile disarmed
her. My fingers are all thumbs
and my mind is gathering wool"
she said contritely.
Has it something to do with
that young man you were with
/ last night ~
! Hilda nodded and blushed. I'm.
hmmm,' she admitted.
Settle Down
Miss Clark laughed understand
ingly. You cant mix romance
with reference questions. child"
she advised. Settle down or III
send you home
Hilda tried TO settle down, but
she seemed to be inside a shim-
mering bubble. Through it she
heard and saw, within its soft en-
! brace she felt.
Keith came at eight. Always
we'll groomed. he was especially
so. Hilda thought no man had
ever been so thrillingly handsome.
Finding magazine he opened it,
but made no pretense of reading.
Each time Hilda glanced at him
his eyes were upon her. With
Miss Clark's eyes also upon her
she made short work of straight
ening the encyclopedias.
Father will be glad to see
you she murmured, working
away, not looking at him.
I'm all a-tremble. he returned
with grin.
"Mischla isn't coming for me to-
night. Isn't il thrilling?' with u
shred Of Laughter.
Elbow on knees he leaned close
TO her. It's going to be thrilling
when | kiss you" he said.
ITO Be Continued)