Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-02-25

"The -aliicr OF this valley, ~ the
reclamation of this desert, Thomas
Hardin. sub"
Rickard tried 10 reset, without at
tracing their attention, the group of
mis- Impressions of the man whose per
sonality had been so obnoxious To him
In the o-l Lawrence days. The Hardin
he had known had also large features,
but of the flaccid irritating order. lie
summoned q picture Of Hardin as be
had shullled into his own classroom, oI
up to the long table where Gerty had
always qucoued it among her mother
borders He could see the rough I'M
polished boots that had always offend
ed him as q betrayal of the mans in
ncr coarscnesg: the badly fitting cost
the long awkward arms, and the salts
fed. loud-speaking mouth. These Tea
lures were more definite. Gould time
bring these changes? Had he changed
like that? Had IAey seen him? Would
Gerty, would Hardin remember hlmi
Wasn't it his place - make himself
known; wave the flag of old friendship
over an awkward situation,
lie found himself standing in front
Of their table, enc0untering first, the
eyes Of Iiardin's sister. There was no
surprise, no welcome there for him. lie
felt at once the hostility Of the camp
His fuce was intentionally warm
Then the childish profile turned on him.
A look of beW!iderment, flushing into
greeting-the years had been kind to
Gerry Holmes!
"Do sou remember me, Richard"
If Hardin recognized difficult situa-
ton, he did not betray it. It was a
man Richard did not know who shook
aim warmly by the hand, and said that
indeed he had not forgotten him.
Eve been expecting you. My wife,
Mr.. Richard, ana my sister"
why, what are you thinking Of,
Tom? To introduce Mr. Richard! |
introduced you to each other, years
ago" Gerty'S checks were red. Her
bright eyes were darting from one 20
the other. You knew he was coming,
and did no, tell me-"
"Yon were at the Improvement club
when the telegram came" put in lines
Hardin, without looking at Richard. No
trace Of the Tucson cordially in that
proud little face! No acknowledgment
lhat they had met at the MarShallis!
oh, sou tele@raphed TO us? The
blond arch smile had not aged. "That
was friendly and nice"
~Ric&ard had not been self-consciOus
for many year. He did not know
what to say. lie turned from her UP
turned face to The others. Innes HAIR
din was staring out Of the window.
over the heads of several crowded
tables; Hardin was gazing at his plate.
Richard decided that he would get out
VI this before Gcrtv discovered that it
was neither friendly nor nice"
IF had known that you were here,
| would have insisted on your dining
with us, in our tent. For it's terrible,
here, isn't itg' She flashed at him the
look he remembered so wildly, the
childish coquettish appeal. 1--WE dine
at home, till it becomes tireSome, and
then we come foraging for variety. But
you must "oua To us, say Thursday. Is
That n ii for you? We should love it,"
.ull those two avci1ed faces. Rick
ard said Thursday, as he was hidden,
and got back 10 his table, wondering
Why in thunder he had let Marshall per-
suade him to take this job.
Hardin waited scant minute to- pro-
test: what possessed you to ask him
10 dinner?'
why shouldn't |? He is an old
friend Gcrty caught a glance of APP
peal, from sister to brother. Jealous?"
She pouted charmingly at her lord.
jealous, no." bluffed Hardin.
He thought then that she knew, that
lnres had told her. THE Lawrence cpl
sode held no sting to him. Once, it
had enchanted him that he had carried
off the boarding-ho belle, whom even
that bookman had found desirable
oooklnan! A superior dude! He had
always had those grand airs. AS if it
were not more to n mans credit to
struggle for his education, even if he
were older than his class, or his teach
sr, than to accept it off silver plates,
handed by lackeys? Richard had al
ways acted as if it had been something
to be ashamed OF. 1t made him sick.
"They've done it this time. It's q
fonJ 1hnio,