The Ordway new era., 1919-06-13


the bitter end, even If bake. 1t is my
duty" She would make her intention
perfectly clear! There ought to be al
least one cozy place, one soft nook
that suggests a woman's presence. We
have tea here In the afternoon. some
times. Mr.. Rickard drops In" The
last was delicate stroke.
Afternoon teaf At the Front? Is
this modern warfnreT The girl draped
her irony with smile.
Gerty was stealing a pleased survey
in the mirror through the rough door
that opened into the division called
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 Innesi Good humor returned to
her.
1--WE are going to dine on the Delta
tonight" She pinned up q "scoldIng
lock-" IN 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 ngo, in champagne
Drought from 1ulnh.
"You said dine on the Delta. Do you
mean they have meals there7"
"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 Gerty's
dressing tent. Over the bed white
lingerie gown was spread.
81 live In them. It's so hot" shrugged
Mrs. Hardin.
'I'll look like your maid. Gertyr In
nes' exclamation was rueful. II 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
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 irresponsibility. Innes could
detect no regret.
They passed cot outside the tent
"who sleeps there7"
''Tom." The eyes Of the two women
did not meet.
Innes 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
ramadn. Isn't 1t quaint7 And that's
Fhis 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 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.
Gerty was deeply pIqued. Until now
haps have to Change her opinion OF
Toms sister. Boys, she had to con
cede. the younger men. might find hel
attractive. boyishly congenial; Older
men would fall to see a charmi
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.
'It isn't battle" Innes looked
around the gay rectangle. "It's play =
The thought followed her that eve
ming. Outside. where the moonligh,
was silvering the deck. and the quiet
river Tapped the sides of the dredge
Jose's strings. and his amigos" throb
bing from a dark corner. made the II
lusion of peace convincing. This wa.
no battle. 1t was easy to believe her
self again at Mare island-the Delta G
cruiser.
Later. Gerty passed her. two-step
ping divinely. Before her partner
turned his head. Innes recognized thu
stiff back and straight poised head ant
dancing step of RIckard. She admit
ted he had distinction, grudgingly. Sh'
could not think of him except compara
lively; always antithetically. BALANCED
against her Tom.
I'm tired; let's rest here" Innei
drew into the shadow of the great arm
of the dredge. They watched tn,
danr1fs as they passed. MacLean play
ms the woman In "Pete's" arms, Cert,
with Richard. two other masculine cou
pies The Hardins were the only won
en- aboard.
1t was because of Tom that lime
felt resentment when the uplifted ap
penling chin. the lace ruffles fluttere,
by. Tom. lying outside an unfriendl.
tent!
1t was easy. In that uncertain light
L a1 Il N .