The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1919-04-18

mon1nSE I'm gong 10 brave IL Quito |
the bitter end, even If bake. 1t is my |
duty" She would make her intention |
perfectly clearl "There ought to be at
least one coy place, one soft nook
that suggests woman's presence. We
have tea here in the afternoon, some
times. Mr.. Richard drops in" The
last was delicate stroke.
Afternoon tea? At the Front? Is
this modern warfare? The girl draped
her irony with smile.
Gerty was stealing pleased survey
in the mirror through the rough door
that opened into the division called
her bedroom. The sunbuTned, uncon-
scious profile of Innes was close to her
own. Pink and golden the head by the
dark one. She looked younger even
than InnesI Good humer returned to
her.
"We are going to dine on the Delta
tonight" She pinned up "scolding
lock-" an ugly misnomer for her sunny
clinging curls The mirror was requi-
sitioned again. "Thats the name of
the new dredge. 1t was christened
three weeks ago, in champagne
brought from Yuma"
"You said dine on the Delta. Do you
mean they have meals there?"
You should see It," cooed Gerty.
"It's simply elegant. It's a floating
hotel, has every convenience. The
camp cook, Ling, has his hands full"
"Going to wear that?" They were
standing now by the door of Gsrty's
dressing tent. Over the bed white
lingerie gown was spread.
81 live in them. It's so hot" shrugged
Mrs. Hardin.
"I1l look like your maid, Gerty ~ In
nes' exclamation was rueful. 81 didn't
bring anything but khakis. Oh, yes |
remember throwing In, the last minute,
two piques to fill up space"
"Why, we have dances on the Delta,
and Sunday evening concerts. You
knew the work at Laguna dam is being
held up? The government men of the
Reclamation Service are down here all
the time. But it's time to be getting
ready"
Later, Tom fatty refused to accom-
pany them.
81 thought as much" Gerty shrugged
an airy responsibility. Innes could
detect no regret.
They passed cot outside the tent
"Who sleeps there|
'gTom." The eyes Of the two women
did not meet.
lines made no comment.
"He finds the tent stuffy." Gerty's
lips were prim with reserve. They
walked toward the river in silence. A:
they reached the encampment, Gerty
recovered her vivacity.
'aThat's Mr.. Richards office, thai
ramada. Isn't it quaint? And that:
his tent; no, the other one. MacLean''
is next; there's Junior. now"
But his eyes were too full of Innes t.
see Gerty's dimples. The difference il
the quality of his greetings smote Cert.
like a blow. And she had never con
sidered Toms sister attractive, as
= possible rival Yet, after hsndshake
she saw that to MacLean, Jr., she dit
not exist.
. 6SIly Was dCGplJ plduGIs OhLiI hON
the field had been hers. She might per
Il haps have to change her opinion o
II Toms sister. Boys, she had to con
cede, the younger men, might find he
2 attractive, boyishly congenial; olde
men would fail to see a charm!
II The arrangement at table annoye
Gerty. The boss, MacLean explaine
! gaily, would not be there for dinner
I He might come in later. Two men fror
y the Reclamation Service tried to enter
y tain Mrs. Hardin.
1T isn't a battle" Innes locke
around the gay rectangle. 'It's play
The thought followed her that eve
was silvering the deck, and the quie
river Tapped the sides of the dredg,
Jose's strings, and his amigos" throE
bling from dark corner, made the i
lssion of peace convincing. This wa
no battle. 1t was easy to believe he
A. self again at Mare island-the Delta
le cruiser.
a Later, Gerty passed her, two-steI
IS ping divinely. Before her partne
ii turned his head, Innes recognized til
e. stiff back and straight poised head an
lie dancing step of Richard. She admi
n ted he had distinction, grudgfngly. Sh
lie could not think of him except compar;
lg lively; always antithstically, balance
against her Tom.
ID "T'm tired; let's rest here" lime
Il drew into the shadow of the great ar
ly of the dredge. They watched IL
n dancers as they passed, MacLean pla
70 ing the woman in "Pete's" arms, GER
n with Richard, two other masculine co
pies. The Hardins We're the only woI
ut en- aboard.
re 1t was because of Tom that Inn,
a. felt resentment when the uplifted a
e. pealing chin. the lace ruAfles fluttert
as by Tom, lying outside an unfriend
he tent!
1t was easy in that uncertain ligf
n | 20 oxyn{I IlsaI-any1se rlonao Of ,-oxaCurr