The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1919-09-13

had not yet occurred to her that Gerty
never had so martyrizcd herself
Some one must be with Tom. 1t may
spoil my trip. But Gerty never thinks
of that" She believed it to be Il
simple matter Of clothes. 1t always
took her weeks to get ready to go any
where
But l won't wait any longer than
next week. If she does not so then, |
Will, Absurd for US both to be here. "
1t was already fercely hot
Gerty, meanwhile, had been wonder
| ing how she could suggest to her sis
! ter-in-law that her trip be taken first.
/ Without arousing suspicious. Ter
ribly loud in her ears sounded her
thoughts those days
Her husband flung a letter on the
from-Casey."
She tried TO make the fingers that
closed over the letter move casually.
She could feel them tremble. What
would she say if Tom asked to see 1t?
1t was addressed to her in her hus-
bands care. Hardin had found it at
the office in his mail. And she going
each day TO the postoffice to prevent
| it from falling into his hands She
gave it quick offhand glance.
About the drive, of course, Sup
| per's getting cold Look at that ONE
lette. Don't wait to wash up. 1t will
| be like leather"
When she had finished her meal, she
read her letter with fine show of In
difference. "He sets a date for the
| drive" She put the letter carelessly
into her pocket before her husband
could stretch out his hand. 1t would
never do for jealous Tom to read that ::
"Your letter was received two weeks
ago. Pardon me for appearing to have
forgotten your kindness"
1.-THE nerve" growled Tom again,
his mouth full Of Gerty's omelette.
ITO take you up on an invitation like
that. l call that pretty raw"
"You must remember we are such
old friends" urged his wife. ''He
knew | meant it seriously"
Just the same it's nerve" grum-
bled Hardin, helping himself to more
of the omelette, now fiat ruin in the
center of the Canton platter. His re
sentiment had taken on an edge of
hatred since the episode of the dredge
machinery. "TO write to anyone in
my house! He knows what | think of
him; an Intellectual ass, that's what he
is. laundering around with his little
levees. and his fool work on the wa
ter tower
"The water tower?" demanded his
sister. whats he doing with that?"
"Oh, l don't know" rejoined Tom
largely, his lips protruding. He had
been itching to ask some one what
Richard was up to. Twice, he had
seen him go up, with MacLean and
Estrada. Once, there a large flare of
light. But he wouldn't askl Some of
his fool tinkering!
His sisters gaze rested on him with
concern He had too little to do. She
guessed that his title, consulting en-
gineer was a hooking one, that his
chief, at least, did not consult him.
he had made a fiuke about the ma
chinery? He was looking seedy. He
had been letting his clothes go. He
looked like a man who has lost grip;
who has been shelved.
She knew he was sleeping badly
Every morning now she found the
couch rumpled. Not much pretense of
marital congeniality. Things were 60
ing badly, there
Everybody has accepted" Gerry
was saying. 'They have been waiting
for me to set the date"
"And you cater to him, let him
dangle you all. / wonder why you do
it, unless it's to hurt me-"
Hurt you, Tom," cried his wife, her
deep blue eyes wide with dismay
"How can you say such thing? But
if it is given for him, how can | do
anything else than let him arrange
the day to suit himself? 1t would be
funny for the guest of honor not to
be present, wouldn't it?"
II don't see why you want to make
him a guest of honor" he retreated
covering his position.
Gently, Gerty expressed her belief
that she was doing the best thing for
her husband in getting up public af-
fair for his successor. She did think
that Tom would see that it showed
they had no feeling.
Il think it fine idea" agreed In
mes heartily. I'm sure Tom will, too.
when he thinks about it." But she did
not give him any chance to express
himself. "How are you going to man
age it. Gerty? You said it was going
to be progressive?"
1--WE shall draw for partners" said
Mrs. Hardin And change every half
mile The first lap will be two
miles; that will give some excitement
In cutting for partners" Easy, being
the hostess, to withhold any slip she
pleased, easy to make it seem acct
dentall
when is this circus coming OFF,
inquired her husband.
'Mr. Richard says he will be back
on the first; that he'll be free on the
second"
'For half an hour, I'll listen to Mrs.
Youngberg tell me how hard it is to