The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-04-08
Miss
SOMEBODY
Continued From Page 1o)


something other than love lay be-
hind the marriage. OF course he
might be mistaken. Fervently he
hoped he was.
How'd you like to have a lit
tie secret with me >" he asked.
y love secrets
Lets not tell Keith I was here
But" in CONSERVATION.
Just between you and me I
don't think he'd be pleased"
Hilda thought this over sober
ly. Somehow she knew Steve TO
be right. Keith would be annoyed
to learn that Steve had seen his
shabby apartment. Keith was so
proud, so determined to be sue
cessful in the eyes of his family.
We won't tell him. she de-
cided. when we get my money
and come to California
Steves eyebrows shot up.
Money. That explained every
thing. Immediately stephen was
disappointed and. swiftly on the
heels of that, he was frightened
for Hilda. If Keith were marry
ing her for love that was one
thing. But for money That was
something entirely different.
Parking at the airport he
thought about it. Should he warn
Hilda that, as far as he knew,
Keith had never done one square,
manly thing in his life?
Heart Lifts
Standing near the steps of the
huge liner while Mischla went for
his checked bag he decided
against a warning. Hilda was
honest and trusting. She would
never believe him and it might
cause a breach between them.
And the last thing Steve wanted
was breach between himself and
Hilda.
Listen, little girl" he said.
IF you SHOULD ever need me. If
anything should go wrong"
But it WORT
Certainly it won't. But just in
case" He took a business card
from his pocket and scrubbed his
home telephone number on it.
Keep that. Call me night or day.
I'm your brother and from now
on I'm looking after you better
than the scarecrow there" as
Mischla shambled up with the bag.
Hilda watched the plane out of
sight. Her heart seemed to lift
with it. Driving back she remem-
bered what Steve had said. 1t
| was very kind of him, but what
could he have meant?
Only a few days later she was
shocked by the death of keith's
father. She read of it in the
newspaper.
Millionaire Californian stricken
by heart attack John Carhart,
well-known financier of Orange
Hills, California, found dead al
his desk"
There was more. Hilda read il
with parted lips, her heart aching
for Keith. No doubt he had re-
ceived a wire. Why hadn't he
called her?
She read on. Mr.. Carhart was
survived by his widow. the for.
mer Mimi Mathewson of Holly
wood, son. Stephen, advertising
man of Los Angeles, and a daueb.
ter, Elizabeth Carhart Northing.
ton.
Keith was not mentioned.
Strange, but surely an oversight.
Hilda called Keith's apartment,
building, he had no private tele-
phone. After an endless wait he
answered.
Keith, darling so sorry"
Plans Upset
Another anxious wait, then. ITS
all right, guess"
When did you hear about it >"
her sweet voice warm with SYM
pathy.
Had wire from Steve this
afternoon He sounded distant
and cold.
will you go. Keith ?"
There was perceptible hesita-
tion before he replied. Haven't
decided. Will let you know later
this evening"
"keith-if you go will you take
me with you ," She was thinking.
We could be married tomorrow.
We are planning to 60 so soon
anyway"
No" The flat denial startled
her. I'm call you later. Hilda.'
She heard the click of his re-
ceiver. Somewhat bewildered she
again read the news item. Why
hadn't Keith told her? And why
was he so gruff? Then a reason
occurred to her loyal heart.
Keith was crushed by the death
OF his father Although he sell
dom spoke of his father he no
doubt loved him dearly. And
doubtless the absence of his name
IN the paper had hurt him.
Alone. far from home. the over
sight would emphasize his loneli-
ness and sorrow.
But Hilda had analysed Keiths
reaction TO the news incorrectly.
HIS entire plan had been upset by
Stoves wire.
TO Be Continued)