The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-04-24

-Ss.z=-
Continued From Page Two)
massaged. her complexion giver
endless care. her hair brushed anc
summed.
She wrote long letters to kar
and read dozens of books Al
day she remained behind locked
doors. safeguarded by Maize anC
Jap houseboy who was verseC
In the gentle art of manhandling
No one was to see Miss Some
body without her mask until Stew,
decreed 1t.
He had promised the Colder
Cord people that a startling an
nouncement as to Hilda's identity
would be made during the holiday
season and he spent sleeples:
nights trying to decide upon g
suitable climax.
Hilda Gregson, daughter of q
Chicago doorman, foreign refu-
gee---it wouldn't do. Her back
ground must be one of glamour
and romance, a background which
would satisfy the most exacting
fan.
II was Hilda herself who finally
gave him an idea. Often Steve
had tea with her. II was some
thing of a problem as he was
watched and trailed In the search
for Miss Somebody. With the
urge to see her growing with each
passing day he solved the diff
Guilty in a way as simple as it was
satisfactory.
Opening he went to her hotel
and rang the Colonel's buzzer.
When admitted he calmly walked
through. stepped out on fire
escape and in at Hilda's kitchen
window.
The very danger of his calls add
ed zest to them. That is, If any,
thing was needed to add zest.
Hilda was like wine in his blood.
she was madness and rapture, she
was hopeless despair.
"A burglar" he would shout,
stepping through the window.
Don't shoot until you see the
whites of his eyes"
At which Hilda would run to
meet him as he came down the
hall. Steve's visits were the bright
spots in her long days. How very
bright she did not realize.
And he, believing that she loved
Keith. resolutely kept their meet
ings on a friendly basis. Not once
had he kissed her since the night
Of her first broadcast.
They talked over her scripts.
She showed him her new clothes.
The Jap boy served tea and thin
sandwiches. Sometimes Hilda had
baked cake and he gorged him.
self on her handicrsft. He always
called the little parties "streep
tease"
She always kept him until the
last possible moment. going with
him TO the kitchen window. watch.
ing MIN across the fire escape.
On the day the sweepstakes
winners were announced in the
paper they laughed over the list
Hilda Gregson was not mentioned
There was an interview with 9
woman in Montana who had re,
ceived five hundred dollars.
She had been hanging out tn,
wash when the cable came. She
was going to take a trip TO Vel
lowstone park. And there was /,
miner in Nevada. He expected L
fulfill lifetime ambition and bu,
set of false teeth.
Hilda laughed. then sobered. 81
isn't funny" she said. Il was so
ing TO make Keith happy witt
mine Her eyes looked far away
the corners of her mouth curve,
sweetly downward.
Are you still thinking abou
Keith ?" Steve asked. his eyes oil
her lovely. dropping face.
"Why-why yes" not looking a
him. II occurred to her that sh
hadn't been lying awake to thin
of Keith.
Indifference
He has proved that he doesn
think Of you" Steve said in
patiently. why don't you clos
the book on that chapter and ca
II day ,"
II don't love that way. On on
day and off the next" stubbornl,
But he treated you horribly"
Are you sure ?"
There is no doubt of it"
IF could see him again" res
lessly. 1T doesn't seem finishes
Wheel he comes"
And If he doesn't come ."
She shrugged. Strangely enoug
il didn't matter whether keit
came or not She was alarmed b
! her indifference. Steve change
: the subject
Heard from Kari lately?"
Yes. every few days" 81