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

NCoatiuucO AIoul Tdtt ouSl
huge volumes. There. rising 10
her feet It's time for me to go
to the desk. / have to hunt things
for the patrons"
what kind of things" his eyes
twinkling. DO they lose their nit
tensg"
"Oh, no." gravely. They want
20 know the color of Cleopatra
hair and how many children Mr..
Farley has, and how to make cheese
omelet..
"Ye gods-you must have fund
Of information"
It's all in the books" CHANGING
at the desk Hilda busted herself
with another shelf. Although Miss
Clark's eagle eye was upon her she
wa reluctant to terminate the ex-
citing conversation. Mr.. Carhart
was most attractive.
shabby Men
He was 90 unlike the shabby
young men who frequented the
reading room, There was an air
about him, q dash. something Of
breeding and culture which ap-
pealed to Hilda. And quite OBJ
viously she appealed to him. His
eyes slid from the top of her shin
ing head to her slim ankles and
small. arched feet.
Her hair was straight and hung
almost TO her shoulders. curling
under in page boy style. When she
moved IL swung In a fascinating
way. There was something family
foreign in the width Of her cheek
bones and full red lips.
She had lovely hands. aristo-
cratic hands. slender with tapering
fingers and pointed nails. She
wore q bizarre smock. buttoned at
the back like child's pinafore.
Mr.. Carhart had noticed
these things for weeks. She
was different, definitely
type
do you like being librarian ?"
he asked, wanting to hear her
voice. II, too. was different.
Soft Hair
She shook her head, the soft hair
swinging. I'm not librarian, just
an apprentice" she said. When I
get my money I'll 60 to library
school,
"Oh. are you waiting for your
ship to come I'M"
YES" soberly. in October"
From the corner OF her eye Hilda
saw Miss Clark rise from the desk.
Giving the books one more pat she
smiled at Keith and moved grace
fully away.
He opened his magazine. Often
during the evening his eyes strayed
from the printed page to regard
Hilda As she graciously accumu-
lated material on everything from
soap to Socrates.
At nine o'clock he waited near
the side entrance wondering II he
dared ask her to have bite Of
supper with him. Not that young
Mr.. Cerhart was backward in his
advances. But the girl was diff
ferent.
Lighted Doorway
Librarians poured from the
lighted doorway, chatting and
laughing. Some went on alone. some
got into cars with young men. At
last Hilda came. trim and smart
In a cheap little suit and a small
hat on the back Of her flaxen head.
Keith took a step forward. He
was lonely, had been lonely for
months. II would be pleasant &c
spend an hour with Hilda Gregson
And Hilda, powdering her petite
nose. had been in a glow of ex'
element. The young man. Keith
Carhart, was as nice as he looked
And he'd spoken to her. What
would 1t be like. she wondered. &c
have q date with Mr.. Carhart?
The very thought OF II took hei
breath. For Hilda was 20 without
one date to her credit. Her father
seemed to think her still a child
watched over her like hen with
one chick. Thinking rebelliously Of
these things she stepped from thu
lighted doorway. Immediately sh'
saw Mr.. Carhart in the shadows.
Even while her heart did .
flip-fIop another figure APP
poared before her. He was an
odd looking specimen. thin and
bony. hands and wrists dan
Cling from too short coat
sleeves, long, hawk-like face
and cavernon eyes.
Good even. Mees Hilda," he sale
humbly.
Yes, Nischa." Reluctantly sh'
fell In step beside him. She glanced
over her shoulder. Goodnight, Mr.
Carhart," she said sweetly
Nischla's head swung as II on
pivot.
Goodnight. Miss Gregson.
Keith turned and walked In the op
posite direction. He was well built
neither tall nor short, moved witt
IN easy confidence.
His features were almost to-
perfect for a man. Both Hilda an
Nischla watched him until h
rounded q corner.
Must you always come for me
lGischla ?" Hilda's voice held soft
complaining note.
TT IL xe orders"
you and father think me
baby" family indignant.
Little girls must not walk .
streets alone. no ?"
HIlda giggied. 'Thees leetse
glrl would not hat been alone,
yes:"
Alhchla grnnted- In silence
they entered . Sheridan ave.
bus. Naischla Iurched 70 . seat
ct Tie hack. Al 73rd they
alfghted and he saw Hilda
safely In . pretentious hotel
befoEe having her.
She took IN elevator to the TO
floor. The hall was narrow an
dimly lighted walking to the e,
freu3e end AZ the hall she opene