The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-04-21

Not another word was spoken 4
until they reached Hilda's hotel. |
As Stephen stopped the car she
nut a tinid hand on his arm.
I'm sorry to be so difficult
Steve" she said sweetly. III DO
as you say
He pressed her fingers. And
I'm sorry I was so rough
Il don't know what's the matter
with me" tears bright in her eyes
when you've loved and trusted
someone for a long time, when
you've wanted to spend your life
with him-somehow you can't
snap it off like light"
II know. Hilda-I know" COM
nassionately. Together they went
to the elevator.
BE ready at one" Steve said.
"Wen have lunch before seeing
the Colonel. His first broadcast
is next Tuesday evening and we've
got to get busy on an act for you.
She nodded. And you won't
need to get a detective, Steve. III
not do one thing without telling
YOU first. I promise.
Hilda lay long awake that night.
As always Keith filled her
thoughts. In spite of everything
Steve had told her she loved
Keith. would love him always and
always. If he had committed every
sin in the calendar she must go on
loving him.
She resolutely pushed her love
into a small corner of her heart
which should be keiths forever.
If he came for her love it would
be waiting. If not-but he would,
he must
She fell to dreaming of the time
when he should come and the
green eyed monster raised his head
to torment her. Had he been IN
love with Mimi? Was he still?
She was free now.
Resentfully Hilda reca lie d
Minis sophistication and charm,
her strange, compelling eyes. Why
IldQ ehllli WiiltCH
After lunch the following day
Hilda and Steve went to Colonel
Norman's office. He had rooms
and rooms. Dozens of girls
opened mail and sorted it. Others
tapped away on typewriters.
There were microphones and
loud speakers and piano players
and script writer's. The place
hummed like a rather distracted
beehive.
The reception rooms swarmed
with applicants. Harassed young
men took names and made ap-
pointments. Hilda and Steve were
ushered through the eager, restless
crowd into an office where the
Colonel calmly sat behind huge
desk. He greeted them jovially.
Tomorrow we start tryouts,"
he said. To-day is for you" BEAM
ing at Hilda.
I'D like to hear her sing" Steve
remarked.
There was piano in the room
and the Colonel sent for sleek
haired young man who twirled the
stool and sat down competently.
'I'n try Sylvia" Hilda said.
The young man struck several
chords and she nodded. signifying
the key.
The room was suddenly filled
with throbbing, aching harmony.
Hilda's voice was true. 1t had
depth and beauty and something
more. It reached the hearts of the
two listeners.
It EMBODIED them, possessed
them. At the last lovely note
there was silence. The Colonel
raised his eyebrows at Steve who
drew a deep, incredulous breath.
The sleek haired young man rose
from the piano stool and held out
his hand to Hilda, bowling from
the waist.
You made my spine prickle
lady" he said, land when my
spine prickles it means you're
good-swell.'
They all laughed and Hilds
thanked him.
SO that's all right" the Colonel
said. Now for an act. She's
supposed to be someone of i'm
portance, too important to appear
on an amateur hour, parental OBJ
lection or something like that
She'll wear a tiny satin mask, hei
hair different and so forth.
When Maize Simpson fixes her
up she won't recognize herself
He seemed to be verbally thinking
it through. Let me see-what
can we call her? something
intriguing"