New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1919-04-11
"POOr suIky Achilles" she though

She turned to find that the CUES
IA staring at her. She had not heard
his effort to include her In the con
versation.
mfr. Richard asked you II you like
1t here?"
"Thank you-why, of course!" Hel
answer sounded pert to herself.
Her slster-in-law fastened to ado
that Miss Hardin was very lonely, was
really all alone in the world that they
insisted on her making her home witt
them.
Innes had with difficulty restrained
n denial. After all, what other home
had she? Still the truth had been de
Elected. She recalled the sacrifice II
had been to cut her college course In
order to make a home in the desert
for the brother who had always sc
gently fathered her, who had helped
her invest her small capital that II
might spell Il small income. She re
called his resistance when she had
called in n mortgage; who could watch
that mad scapegoat Of Il river playing
pranks with desert homes and not
yearn to help? Not a Hardin. She
still gloried in remembering that she
had at least driven one pile Into thai
rebellious stream, even II when She
left the valley 1t would be as a bread
winner. She was prepared. She was
a good craftsman; she would 60 as
an apprentice in an architects office
She had already settled on the archi
tect!
Are you going to Los Angeles
soony She heard the new manager
address his host.
I'm taking orders"
There was another awkward mo
ment when Hardin pushed back his
plate declaring he had reached his
limit it vas too big a spread for him
1t was the stupid rudeness of the
small bad boy; ven Innes flushed fol
her sister-in-law.
With resolution Gerty assumed con
troll of the conversation. Her role
sounded casual; no one could have
suspected 1t Of frequent rehearsal
They must not talk of the river; thai
was taboo. Railroad matters were
also excluded. Equally difficult
would be "reminiscences Of Lawrence
days. So she began brightly with q
current book. The theater proved Q
safe topic, and by that natural route
they reached New York. Innes, who
had never been farther east than Chi
cago, was grateful to play audience
Hardin, who knew his New York per
hnps better than either, refused to bt
drawn into the gentle stream.
Things must be kept %sprightly. Hal
Mr.. Richard met many OF the vale!
people? And it was then that shf
threw her bomb toward the listening
silent Hardins. She would like MIR
Richard to meet some of their friends
He said that he would be delighted
but that he was planning to leave
shortly for the Heading.
"Of course" She did not give hel
husband time to speak. She mean
afterward! She was planning to giv'
something a bit novel in his honor
She refused to see the glare from tn
angry man in his outgrown dinnel
coat. She did not glance toward tn
sister. What did Mr.. Richard thinl
about a progressive ride?
ut sounds very entertaining. bu
what do you dol"
There was a loud guffaw from Tom
With deepened color Gerty told he1
idea. A drive. changing partners. 81
he could meet all the guests.
II think 1t will surprise you to fine
so many nice people In here; 1t Ger
tainly did me. One doesn't expect II
find %congenial people In a new countr!
like this"
Richard remembered that, he hat
to get back to his hotel. He had let
tiers to write. 1t had been a splendid
dinner! And what a wonderful hOm'
she had made out of n Standardized lot
out of a tent! He spoke Of the rose!
and the morning glories. His eye!
fell on the open piano, the reading
table with the current magazines
Now he couldn't understand why the!
ever went to that hotel!
Gerty's eyes were shining as deel
pools of water on which the sun plays
She looked almost infantile as sh'
stood by the two tall men, her heat
perched birdlike. "Good-by! and
hope you'll come again
OF course he'd come again!
"And you will let me know wheT
you return, so that l may set the dat
for my party?"
Innes did not get his answer. Sh'
had been observing that he was no
taller than her brother He looked
taller. He was lean, and Tom wal
growing stOcky. She wished he wOult
not SLOUGH so. his hands in his peck
cts! In Tucson, before she knew tina
she must dislike Richard, she had hat
an impression Of virlle distinction. o
grace, a suggestion of mastered mus
cles. He had known that 1t was he
brother he was supplanting-did h
get any satisfaction from the fact tina
1t was the husband of the woman WIFI
had fitted him7 Anyway. she did no
like him. She could never forgive
hurt that was done to her own. Sh'
was a Hardin.
"Innes! Mr.. Richard said goo'
night"
She gave him the tips Of her cool
Drowned fingers. Her eyes did no
meet his; she would not meet tina
laughing scrutiny.
Good night, Mr.. Richard"
CHAPTER xi.
The Fighting Chance.
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