New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1919-05-23


the jump. A spur track wal rushed
across the bypass above the gate. a.
the closing Of the Inflated gate with
the f1ashbOards was no longer possible
A rOck-fll was the only means OF
closure. In the distant Quarries meI
were digging out rock to fill the cal
from the river.
Marshall came down to see the com.
pleted spur. Before he reached the
intake. the first rock train had moved
onto the spur track. The trestle had
settled, the train had been thrown
from the rails and wrecked.
Marshall came In from the damaged
%trestle. bringing Richard and Crothers.
Mrs. Marshall had invited Innes Har-
din to dine with them. Innes fell to
flushing, and chilling. as a lithe-mus-
cled figure came directly to her. His
eyes-where was the look she had
feared, of p~Ossessive tenderness7 The
quiZzieal CLEAN was gone. On guard |!
A solemn business, loving, when you
know that 1t means-life! On guard,
though, to her! She pulled her fin
gers from his strong lingering clasp,
and Joined Mrs. Marshall.
Richard had his soldier look on. She
was watching him covertly as he
talked with his host and Crothers, as
though she were not there; as though
something were not waiting for him to
claim. How could he be talking, OBJ
livious of everything else In the world
except the river? Was that-lOving?
Could she think of anything else when
he was In the same room with her?
He was a soldier of the modern army.
1t came to her. a sort of tender divi-
nation, that he would not divide his
thoughts, even with her, with love, I'M
til his battle was won. Well, couldn't
she understand that? What her accu-
sation against Gerry? Sex honor
keep off the track! Wasn't that her
W notion? Oughtn't she to be proud
Of him?
She had brought a nest of waspish
thoughts tumbling about her ears
He had loved Gerty. He
couldn't love her, If his thoughts had
ever fingered, with that same serious
ly solemn look on the false little face
Of her sister-in-law.
After dinner they were standing In
the shade Of the Palmyra. 1t was a
soft still afternoon. The f~ierceness of
the savage desert had melted to her
days of lure. Beyond, the turbid wa
tiers of the Colorado bore a smiling sur
There was nothing to hint of
treachery.
1t was n minute of pleasant lassl-
tude. snatched from the turmoil. Rick
ard had succumbed to the s~oftness of
the day and his mood. He was enjoy
ing the thought of Innes' nearness,
she kept her face turned from
him. He knew by the persistence of
those averted eyes that she was as
conscious of his presence rs he
was, restfully, Of hers. Deliberately,
he vas prolonging the instant.
A stir on the river had caught the
alert eye of Tod Marshall. He swore
! stiihS VI picturesque NluTSlulllun /
Richards eyes jumped toward
he bypass. The placid waters had
suddenly buckled. Majestically the
gate rose and went out. Months of
work swept away! The gate drifted
l hundred feet or more. Some unseen
obstruction caught 1t there, to mock
It the labOrs of man.
lines. aghast, turned toward Rick.
lrd. His face was expressionless.
There vas a babel Of excited voices
behind them, Bodefeldt. MacLean,
Tony, CrOthers, Bangs, all talking at
nee. Her eyes demanded something
# Richard. A fierce resentment rose
his calmness. HE knew It,"
he rebelled. Hes been expecting
his to happen. It's no tragedy to
There was a stab as Of physi-
al pain she was visualizing the blow
o Tom.
She heard Marshall's voice, speak
ng to Richard. swell, you're ready