Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-04-23


Mrs Hardin.
"TIl look like your maid, Gerty!'' 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
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 a cot outside the tent.
"Who sleeps there?"
"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, Gerry
recovered her vivacity.
That's Mr.. Richards office, that
ramada. Isn't 1t 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 Gerry
like blow. And she had never con-
sidered Toms sister attractive, as
possible rival. Yet. after handshake,
she saw that to MacLean, Jr., she did
not exist
Gerty 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 her
attractive. hoyishly congenial; older
men would fail to see a charml
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.
at isn't a battle" Innes looked
around the gay rectangle. ITS play I"
The thought followed her that eve
ming. Outside, where the moonlight
was silvering the deck, and the quiet
river Tapped the sides of the dredge.
Jose's strings, and his amigos" throb-
bling from a dark corner, made the g.
fusion of peace convincing. This was
no battle. 1t was easy to believe her
self again at Mare island-the Delta a
cruiser.
Later, Gerty passed her. two-step-
ping dlvinely. Before her partner
turned his head, Innes recognized the
stiff back and straight poised head and
dancing step of Richard. She admit
ted he had distinction, grudglngly. She
could not think of him except compare
lively; always antithetically. balanced
against her Tom.
'I'm tired; let's rest here" Innes
drew into the shadow of the great arm
of the dredge. They watched the
dancers as they passed, MacLean play
ing the woman in "Pete's" arms, Gerty
with Richard, two other masculine cou-
pies. The Hardins were the only wom-
en- aboard.
1t was because of Tom that Innes
felt resentment when the uplifted APP
pealing chin, the lace ruffies fluttered
by. Tom, lying outside an unfriendly
tenti
1t was easy, in that uncertain light.
to avoid Richards glance of recogni-
ton. Estrada, who had come aboard
with the manager. sought her out, and
then Crothers of the o. P. Again, she
saw Richard dancing with the lingerie
gown. There seemed to be no attempt
to cover Gerty's preference; for Rick
ard. she was the only woman there
Because she was Toms sister, she had
a right to resent it, to refuse to meet
his eye. Small wonder Tom did not
come to the Delta!
Going in with MacLean, Jr., to the
messroom for a glass of water, she met
Richard, on his gay out. She man
aged to avoid shaking hands with him.
She wondered why she had consented
to give him the next waltz.
He'll not find me" she determined
MacLean followed her gladly to the
dark corner of the deck where's Jose's
guitar was then syncopating an accom-
paniment to his amigos" voice.
To her surprise. Richard penetrated
her curtain of shadows.
sour dance, Miss Hardin? Give US
'Sobr' Las Olas,' again. jose"
The hand that barely touched his
arm was stiff with antagonism. She
told herself that he had to dance with
her-politeness. conventionality. de-
manded it. But, instantly. she forgot
her resentment. and forgot their awk-
ward relation. 1t was his dancing, not
Gerty's. then. that was superb" Any
body could find skill under the leader
ship Of that irresistible step. And then
the motion claimed Aer. She thought