The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-04-15

That got her interest For the
first time she really looked at him.
He went on. As you doubtless
know stephen Carhart is very
well known advertising man He
specializes in radio advertising.
Through him I'm going to put on
my hour for the Haddington Cof-
fee company"
Hilda had lost interest. She
murmured something. Her miser-
able eyes stared at the black win
dows. Colonel Norman regarded
her anxiously. He had been much
impressed with Stephen Carhsrt
on his trip to New York.
A fine. outstanding lad. he had
thought. Then why this dis
traught. frantic little girl rushing
across the country to see him? II
fretted the colonel
Fine Fellow
stephen Csrhart is fine fell
low he hazsrded.
Up went Hildas lashes. For
just an instant she seemed 10
glow. Il only met him once" she
said, but I liked him so much.
The Colonel heaved a sigh OF
relief.
My father liked him. too"
Where is your father. child >"
He is on his way TO Duerania."
Amazingly enough the Colonel
knew of Duerania More amazing
still he had been there. He knew
all about il. A tiny singing
warmth flooded Hildas empty
heart. At once the Colonel was
an old friend. They talked for an
hour of Duerania 1t made Hilda
feel close to Karl.
Passengers trickled from the
observation car. AT last Hilda
and the Colonel were alone. He
twisted the knobs on the radio.
Swing music, a bombsstic news
reporter. a sobbing pipe organ.
"Please-not the organ" Hill
da's hand had gone to her throat.
The Colonefs fingers instantly
turned the knob. A mans voice
came from the nowhere. A strong.
sure voice. He was singing The
Rosary"
Sing with him. Hilda,' the
Colonel said. much as Karl might
have said it.
She stood up. leaning against
the paneling. Her voice joined
with the unseen singer. Husky.
vibrant. deeply sweet. The Colonel
held his breath.
On the last few words to
kiss the cross" the lovely voice
faltered and broke. Turning away
Hilda buried her face in her hands.
She shook with sobs.
My poor child-my poor child"
he said gently. not touching her,
standing by, letting her weep.
After a while she looked up, her
face wet with tears Thank you
for letting me sing" she said. 1T
broke something in here" one
hand pressed to her breast.
And thank you for letting me
hear your beautiful voice" he an
swered.
Il think III go now. I'm so
tired-so dreadfully sleepy"
He took her back to her car.
She was unsteady, drunk with
WEAKNESS. The conductor waited
for him in the vestibule.
Any luck ?" he asked.
She's all right now" the Colo
mel told him. She'll see IL
through"
The conductor wiped his fore
head. "Whew, she had me scared"
he said. Saw a girl look like that
once before. She killed herself
on the train"
Danger l. Past
Knowing boys and girls the
Colonel said, THE danger is past.
She'll sleep tonight"
The next day he sought Hilda
out. She had been lying against
her pillows, but sat up and made
room for him beside her.
Looking pretty good today" he
smiled. Have a good sleep"
Yes. I did. The first in almost
week" Her eyes were blank,
they seemed washed of all emo
ton
If you're not busy in Los An
geles how would you like to appear
on my first broadcast ,"
II love to sing. Perhaps
stephen Carhart and will
take you under advisement. Do
you know what | think ! think
you are what is commonly called
a find He smiled down at her.
Really" with that upward
sweep of the lashes Keith Carhart
had found so intriguing. Tiff /
sang for you would people have to
know my name ?"
Not necessarily" rubbing his
chin thoughtfully.
Il wouldn't want Karl TO know
or-or anyone else"
Nearing Los Angeles she asked.
rs Steve Carhart meeting you >"
No. I'm not expected until to-
morrow"
In the hurry and hustle of the
Los Angeles depot the Colonel lost
sight of Hilda. In fact she had
slipped away from him. She want
ed 10 see Steve without further
delay.
In taxi she directed the driver
10 the business address on Stoves
card. Only one thought possessed
her. Would he help her find
Keith
ITO Be Continued)