Gilpin observer., 1919-06-26

ard, she was the only woman there
Because she was Toms sister, she had
a right to resent 1t, to refuse to meet
his eye. Small wonder Tom did not
come to the Delta
Going in with MacLean, Jr., to the
messroom for glass Of water, she met
Richard, on his way out. She man.
aged to avoid shaking hands with him.
She wondered why she had consented
to give him the next waltz.
Hell 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 "amigo's" voice.
To her surprise, Rickard 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 1t. But. instantly, she forgot
her resentment, and forgot their awk-
ward relation. It 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 her. She thought
Of nothing; they moved as one to the
liquid falling beat.
The music dropped them suddenly,
solating them at the stern Of the deck.
The silence was complete. Richard
broke 1t to ask her what she thought of
the camp.
Her resentments were recalled. She
blundered through her impression of
the lightness. the gayety.
"A work camp does not have to be
solemn. You'll find all the grimness
you want II you look beneath the sur
face"
The guitars were tuning up. "Shall
take you back7 have this dance
with your sister,"
She thought Of Tom-on his lonely
cot outside his tent. She forgot that
she had been asked a question. He
was dancing again with Gertyi II that
silly little woman had no scruples. no
fine feeling, this man should at least
guard her. If he had been her lover.
he should be careful; he must see that
people were talking of them. She had
seen the glances that EVENING" The
business relation between the two men
should suggest tact, II not decencyl 1t
was outrageous.
Rickard stood waiting to be dis
missed; puzzled. Through the uncer-
tain light, her anger came to him. She
looked taller, older; there was flame
of accusing passion in her eyes.
1t was his minute of revelation. So
that was what the camp thought! The
wife of Hardin-Hardin Why, he'd
been only polite to her-they were old
friends. What had he said to call down
this sudden scorn? "Dancing-again-"
Had he been all kinds of an ass?
my turn, Miss Innes!" demanded
MacLean, Jr.
"Oh. yes" she cried, relief in her
tone.
Rickard did not claim his dance
with Mrs. Hardin. He stood where
the girl had left him. thinking. A few
minutes later, Gerty swept by in the
arms of Breck. Later. came Innes
with Junior; the two, thinking them
selves unseen, romping through two
step like two young children. He was
never shown that side of her. Gay as
young kitten. chatting merrily with
MacLean! Should her eyes discover
him. she would be again the. naughty
| young woman!
He'd gone out Of his way to be po-
lite to the wife of Hardin. What did
he care what they thought2 He'd fin
ish his job, and get out.
A minute later. he was being rowed
back to camp.