Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1919-05-16

iHut Opeueu lutO llie ulNlsioi Nuhcu
her. bedroom. The sunburned, uncon-
sciOus profile of Innes was close to her
own. Pink and golden the head by the |
dark one. She looked younger even |
than lines! Good humor returned. to |
her.
1--WE are going to dine on the Delta !
tonight" She pinned up "scolding
leck." an ugly misnomer for her sunny
clinging curls. The mirror was requi-
sitioned again. That's 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 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 Gerty's
dressing tent Over the bed white
lingerie gown was spread.
81 live in them. It's so hot" shrugged
Mrs. Hardin.
'Tll look like your maid. Gerty!" In
nes' exclamation was rueful. II didn't
bring anything but khakis. Oh. yes! l
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" Gerry shrugged
an airy responsibility. Innes could
detect no regret.
They passed cot outside the tent.
"Who sleeps there2"
"TOm." 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. AS
they reached the encampment, Gerty
recovered her vivacity.
That's Mr.. Richards office. that
ramada. Isn't it quaint? And that's
his tent; no, the other one. MacLean's
is next there's Junior. now"
But his eyes were too full Of Innes to
see Gerty's dimples. The difference in
the quality of his greetings smote Gerty
like a blow. And she had never con-
sidered Toms sister attractive, as q
possible rival. Yet. after q handshake,
she saw that to MacLean, Jr., she did
not exist.
Gerry was deeply piqued. Until now
the field had been hers. She might per.
haps have to change her opinion Of
Toms sister. Boys. she had to con.
cede, the younger men. might find hei
attractive. boyishly cOngenial; Older
men would fail to see a charm!
The arrangement at table annoyed
Gerty. The. boss. MacLean explained
gaily. would not be there for dinner
He might come in later. Two men from
the Reclamation Service tried to enter
tain Mrs. Hardin.
1T isn't a battle" Innes loOket
around the gay rectangle. Its play =
The thought followed her that eve
hing. Outside. where the moonlight
was silvering the deck, and the quie
river Tapped the sides of the dredge
Jose's strings. and his amigos" throb
bling from a dark corner made the II
fusion Of peace convincing. This wa
no battle. It was easy to believe her
k self again at Mare island-the Delta
2. cruiser.
l. Later. Gerty passed her, twO-ster
It ping divinely. Before her partne
It turned his head, Innes recognized tn
W stiff back and straight poised head an
e dancing step of Richard. She admit
ted he had distinction. grudgingly. Sh
g could not think of him except compare
lively; always antithetically, balance
n against her Tom.
I'm tired; let's rest here" lime
drew into the shadow Of the great arr
of the dredge. They watched tn
dancers as they passed. MacLean pla!
ing the woman in "Pete's" arms. Cert
u with Richard. two other masculine col
lie pies. The Hardins were the only won
en- aboard.
- 1t was because of Tom that lime
/" felt resentment when the uplifted al
pealing chin. the lace ruffies fiuttere
- by. Tom, lying outside an unfriendl
,a tent!
20 1t was easy. IN that uncertain ligh
to avoid Richards glance of recogn
"a ton. Estrada. who had come aboar
~ with the manS,er sought her out. an
,r then Crothers of the o. p. Again. 81
saw Richard dancing with the linger
70 gown. There seemed to be no atteml
~ to cover Gerty's preference; for Ric
ard. she was the only woman there
Because she was Toms sister, she hi
~ a right to resent 1t, to refuse to me-
20 his eye. Small wonder Tom did n
come to the Delta
Going in with MacLean, Jr., to II
-. messrOOm for n glass of water, she IN
Richard, on his way out. She ma
aged to avoid shaking hands with hiI
-, She wondered why she had consents
to give him the next waltz.
:, Hell not find me-" she determine
MacLean followed her gladly to Il
- dark corner of the deck where's jose
- .Lo,, Sx.poono tinU On aacOv