Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-03-14

=
winner. She was prepared. She was
good craftsman; she would go as
an apprentice in an architects Office.
She had already settled on the archi-
tectl
"Are you going to Los Angeles
soon" 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 was too big a spread for him
1t was the stupid rudeness of the
small bad boy; even Innes flushed for
her sister-in-law.
With resolution Ge1ty assumed con-
troll of the conversation. Her role
sounded casual; no one could have
suspected it of frequent rehearsal.
They must not talk of the river; that
was taboo. Railroad matters were
also excluded. Equally difficult
would be "reminiscences of Lawrence
days. SO she began brightly with a
current book. The theater proved a
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-
haps better than either, refused to be
drawn into the gentle stream.
Things must be kept sprightly. Had
Mr.. Rickard met many of the valley
people? And it was then that she
threw her bomb toward the listening,
silent Hardins. She would like Mr..
Rickard 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 her
husband time to speak. She meant
afterward She was planning to give
something a bit novel in his honor.
She refused to see the glare from the
angry man in his outgrown dinner
coat. She did not glance toward the
sister. What did Mr.. Rickard think
about a progressive ride?
1T sounds very entertaining, but
what do you doY'
There was a loud guffaw from Tom
With deepened color Gerty told hel
idea. A drive, changing partners, sc
he could meet all the guests.
Il think it will surprise you to fine
so many nice people in here; it Ger
tainly did me. One doesn't expect tt
find congenial people in new countr!
like this"
Rickard remembered that he hat
to get back to his hotel. He had let
ters to write. 1t had been a splendit
dinner! And what a wonderful hom
she had made out of sand-baked lot
out of tentI He spoke of the rose
and the morning glories. His eye
fell on the open piano, the readin
table with the current magazines
Now he couldn't understand why the,
ever went I'd that hotel!
Gerty's eyes were shining as dee
pools of water on which the sun plays
She looked almost infantile as sh
stood by the two tall men, her hea
perched birdlike. "Good-byl and
hope you'll come againI"
Of course he'd come again!
"And you will let me know whe
you return, so that may set the dat
for my party?"
Innes did not get his answer. Sh
. had been observing that he was nc
taller than her brother He locke
, taller. He was lean, and Tom wa
growing stocky. She wished he woul
not slouch so. his hands in his pool
cts In Tucson, before she knew thi
she must dislike Rickard, she had ha
. an impression of virile distinction, {
grace, suggestion of mastered mu
cles. He had known that it was he
brother he was supplanting-did h
+ get any satisfaction from the fact ths
it was the husband of the woman WI
, had Tilted him? Anyway. she did NJ
like him. She could never forgive
, hurt that was done to her own. 81
) was Hardin.
! "Innes! Mr.. Rickard said goc
night !"
! She gave him the tips of her coo
: Drowned fingers. Her eyes did NJ
7 meet his; she would not meet til.
: laughing scrutiny.
= "Good night, Mr.. Richard"