Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-02-21

man, sun. Reclamation is like seed
thrown on rock. VIII it stick? Will
it take root? VIII it grow? That is
what we all want to know"
Richard thought that he had wanted
to know something quite different, and
reminded the gentleman from Alabama
that he had not told him the name.
"The father of this valley, of the
reclamation of this desert. Thomas
Hardin, sub"
Richard tried to reset. without at
tracing their attention, the group of
his Impressions of the man whose per-
sonality had been so obnoxious to him
in the old Lawrence days. The Hardin
he had known had also large features,
but of the flaccid irritating order. He
summoned a picture of Hardin as he
had shufiled into his own classroom. or
up to the long table where Gerty had
always queened it among her mothers
boarders. He could see the rough un-
polished boots that had always Offend
ed him as betrayal of the mans in
per coarseness; the badly fitting coat,
the long awkward arms, and the salts
fed, loud-speaking mouth. These fea-
lures were more definite. Could time
bring these changes? Had he changed,
like that? Had they seen him? Would
Gerty, would Hardin remember him ?
Wasn't it his place to make himself
known; wave the flag of old friendship
over an awkward situation?
He found himself standing in front
of their table. encountering first, the
eyes of Hardin's sister. There was no
surprise, no welcome there for him. He
felt at once the hostility of the camp.
His face was uncomfortably warm.
Then the childish profile turned on him.
A look of bewilderment, flushing into
greeting-the years had been kind to
Gerty Holmesl
"Do you remember me, Rickard?"
If Hardin recognized difficult situa-
tion. lie did not betray it. 1t was a
man Richard did not know who SHOOK
MIN warmly by the hand, and said that
indeed he had not forgotten him.
I've been expecting you. My wife
Mr. Rickard. and my sister,"
"Why. what are You thinking of
Tom? To introduce Ms. Richard!
introduced you to each other. years
agoT" Gerty's cheekE ~ere red. Hel
bright eyes were earting from one tC
\ the other. ''Y0u knew he was coming
and did not tell me?"
you were at the Improvement clut
when the telegram came" put in lime.
Hardin. without looking at Rickard. NJ
trace OF the Tucson cordiality in thai
proud little facet No acknowledgment
that they had met at the MarshaIl's.
ION, you telegraphed to us? The
blend arch smile had not aged "Tha
was friendly and nice"
Rickard had not been self-consciou,
for many year. He did not know
what to say. He turned from her up
turned face to the others. Innes Har
din was staring out of the window
over the heads of several crowded
tables; Hardin was gazing at his plate
ltickard decided that he would get ou
4 of this before Gerty discovered that /
was neither friendly nor NICE"
If 1 had known that you were here
! would have insisted on your dinin
with us, in our tent. For it's terrible
here, isn't it?" She flashed at him th
look he remembered so vividly, tn
childish coquettish appeal. 1--WE din
at home, till II .becomes tiresome, an
then we come foraglng for variety Bu
you must come to us, say Thursday. ]
that right for you? We should love 1t.
Still those two averted faces. Ricl
ard said Thursday, as he was bidder
and got hack to his table, wonderin
why in thunder he had let Marshall pc
suade him to take this job.
Hardin waited a scant minute TO pr,
test: rWhat possessed you to ask hi
to dinner?"
"Why shouldn't I? He is an o
friend" Gerty caught a glance of NJ
pcal. from sister to brother. jealous
!, she pouted charmingly at her lord.
: ".Eealous. nor bluffed HarIin.
He thought then that she knew, :h
lnrrs had told her. The Lawrence et
sode held no sting to him. Once,
: had enchanted him that he had carri,
u off the boarding-house belle. whom ev,
I that boobman had found desirable
T" bookman! A superior dude He n;
. always had those grand airs. AS if
- were not more to n mans credit
~ struggle for his education, even If
J. were older than his class. or his teae
d er. than to nccept it off silver plat,
u handed by lackeys? Rickard had
= ways acted as If it had been somethi
u to be ashamed of. 1t made him sick.
20 20 They've done it this time. It's
y fool choice"
~ Again, that look of pleading from
mes. Gerty had n shiver of intuition
=, Fool choice?" Her voice was oil
III nously calm.
ct Hardin shook off Innes' eyes. Bet
~ be done with it! Hes the new q
le- eral manager"
" Hes the general managerr'
er I'm to take orders from him."
'st Gerty's silence was of the stunr
10 variety. The Hardins watched
,e. crumbling bread on the tableclo
~, thinking, fearfully, that she was go
Gu to cry.
"Didn't / tell you?" Her voice,
eld pressed, carried the threat of te,
'as Didn't | tell you how it would
ng Didn't say that you'd be sorry if
10 called the railroad in?"
ne 'Must we go over this again?" as
no, her husband.
"Why didn't you tell me? Why
lip you let nae make a goose of myse
an. She was remembering that there
ms. been no protest, no surprise from
les. mes. She knew! A family secl
she shrugged. 'Tm glad. on the VIII
In that you plHnned it as surprise.