The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-04-14

ing things. put Karl's $500 in her
purse ana went down In the ele-
vstor for the last time
She walked along Sheridan.
friendless and alone. Like sleep
walker she wandered. waiting for
green lights. avoiding passersby.
With no destination she walked.
Suddenly her heart lifted Just a
little II was as If a friendly hand
had touched her. Steve. He had
said to call him If anything went
wrong. She would not call Steve.
She would go to him. Steve would
find Keith for her. he'd know what
to do.
The pain in her heart eased.
Again il was as If she had slipped
her hand into a warm. comfort
ing grasp. She climbed aboard a
bus with her heavy bag. Even
tually she arrived at the depot.
Never need she return to the
library. Life would swallow her
as it had swallowed Keith. When
she reached Steve all would be
well.
Hilda bought a ticket. Never
having been on train there was
some confusion as to reservations.
She told the agent of her ignor-
ance and he kindly explained Pull
mans. day coaches, tourist and
first class tickets.
4 Berth
IT think you'd better take a
berth. Miss" he advised her You
look tired and it's a long trip
Hilda nodded assent. She was
tired dreadfully tired. So tired
that the top of her head seemed
to be gone. A few moments later
she found herself in a green plush
seat, sitting stiffly upright
Always she kept telling herself,
It'll be all right when I get to
Steve. II will be all right then"
Saying it gave her something 10
cling to in shifting, spinning
world.
In the morning Hilda said to the
porter. May have a cup of cof-
fee? You see I was never on
train before. IL think l need a
cup of coffee"
He took her to the dining car.
From behind the fog of her suf-
fering she felt that everyone was
kind. so very kind. The conductor
came TO talk with her, he spoke
of her in low tones to the porter.
Hilda did not know that her eyes
were black, that an insane light
flickered in their depths.
That her face was drawn and
tense, that her lips quivered when
she spoke.
She only knew that they brought
pillows to her. tea and crisp little
waters between breakfast and
lunch. At noon. in the diner. she
drank coffee and left her food
untouched.
On the second day she dropped
against the pillows. her young fece
set and white. The conductor was
plainly uneasy. At Cheyenne
nurse. as if by accident. got on
the train. She sat down beside
Hilda.
Are you i'll, child - she asked.
Burning Eyes
Hilda raised her burning eyes.
Immediately the heavy lids dropped
again.
No, I'm all right. thank you"
The nurses fingers closed gent
ly over her wrist There is some
thing troubling you. Won't you
let us help"
I'm just a little tired. You are
very kind"
The nurse gave her two little
white tablets. Take these and go
to bed as soon as you've eaten
your dinner" she said Then she
talked soberly to the conductor
and got off the train.
The conductor. after some
thought. approached middle
aged man who seemed to know
everyone on the train. Afterward
he went to the head waiter in the
dining car.
Small Table
That evening. when Hilda went
to the diner she was seated at one
OF the small tables. Almost i'm
mediately the middle aged man
was ushered to the chair opposite
her.
The head waiter said, DO you
mind if Colonel Norman sits with
you? We are crowded tonight"
Hilda did not look up. Il don't
mind, she said.
To Be Continued