The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-03-25
by LOUISE HOLMES

|, : -. - =. - 49, BY LOUISE HOLMES
Pooh" she laughed. y love 1t.
Going TO the tiny kitchen she
made chocolate and cut thick
slices of sour dough bread. From
the ice box she brought a pat Of
sweet butter and wooden con-
tainer Of cheese.
Tn starved" she said. Join
me, Karl darling"
He sat down at the small table
You should have lovely clothes
and furs and jewels. a shining
car and driver"
Hush, you'll spoil me. Drink
your chocolate. When ! get my
money in October"
He laughed and pinched her
cheek.
II was an hour later, after Hilda
had gone to bed, in the one tiny
cube of a bedroom, that there came
a soft tapping on the outer door.
Karl quietly turned the knob and
Mischla slipped in like a gangly
shadow. He spoke in a guarded
tone.
There ees a young man, sir. He
waited for Mees Hilda by the
door" talking, Mischla's Adams
apple bobbed in and out of his
collar. Karl frowned and darted a
frightened glance at Hilda's bed
room door. He might have been
what does she call them--a pa
tron ?"
Mischla's queer head wagged
from side tn side, II don't theenk
~. Mees Hilda ask me moost I
always come for her"
Hmm" Karl stared thought
fully at the wall. Keep watch.
Mischla. Wen have TO wait"
he said AT last.
Bony Man
The long. bony man jerked his
head In what was meant to be a
bow. He slid noiselessly from the
door.
The next evening Hilda watched
anxiously for young Mr.. Carhart.
At last he came in nodding to her
as he passed the desk She smiled,
pretending to be very busy. After
half an hour she began indus
triously to straighten the shelves
and tables. Eventually she came
to Keith's corner.
II waited for you last night, ="
he murmured as she stopped at
the encyclopedias.
''Um-hmm." she nodded
WAS that your boy friend who
came for you?" He had an i'm
pulse to touch her hair. Never
had he seen any thing so soft and
silken.
She laughed. II was a breath
less little gurgle. THAT was
Mischla," she said.
Should / know who Mischla
is?"
He's a porter at the hotel. My
father always sends him for me-"
Her cheeks were crimson with
thrilled excitement.
That's too bad"
why ?" with a dazzling up
ward glance.
Il thought perhaps you'd let me
take you home tonight. We could
have something to eat or see a
I show"
Hilda's hands trembled. Next
to Karl young Mr.. Carhart was
the handsomest man she had ever
seen. And he had asked her to
go out with him. IL was almost
too much rapture TO be borne.
Hilda said, "rn ask father"
yanking out encyclopedia number
II and putting It back again. He
has never allowed me TO got out
with young men"
This appeared to be new one
on Mr. Carhart. II was definitely
not according to the modern code
He stared at Hilda.
Il supposed you had string
of admirers reaching from here to
Evanston" he said.
"Oh, no." with a swish Of her
hair. Il never 60 anywhere except
with Karl"
KARL"
My father"
Il see
Miss Clark was bearing dowr
upon them, her multiple chins ir
series Of determined curves,
Try TO fix il for tomorrow
night" Keith whispered hurriedly
1--WE been in Chicago for sis
months. Lonesome as the very
devil"
Karl WAS not in the little apart.
ment when Hilda returned home
Knowing he was on duty until II
she waited impatiently. When HI
came in. respondent in uniform
she had a lunch prepared.
They sat down together at thu
kitchen table.
. did my lily of the field toll to
day >" he asked.
Hilda nodded, pouring his choco
late. Karl" she began don
you think I'm old enough to hav'
boy friend7"
For mament ne SAID nothing
then. Are you interested in some
one. DEAR"
Again she nodded. her hal
swinging up and back. He
wonderful, Kari. He asked &
/, bring me home tonight" Their
, WAS a new glow about her.
What is his name :"
Keith Carhart. A beautiful
! name. is il not -
Introduced
He ignored this. Were you In
troduced to him ?"
NO. He comes TO the stud,
room every night to read III
magazines. We've just starte
talking. II wasn't an ordinar.
pickup. Karl"
Il certainly hope not" scowlinE
What do you know about him :?
Nothing really. He's educated
II Isst.