New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1919-04-18

" W.
much to be done.
II wish she would be Definite" II
mes thoughts complained. She wa
restless to make her own plans.
had not yet occurred to her that Cert
would stay in all nm For sh
never had so martyrized herself
Some n must be with Tom. 1t ma
spoil my trip. But Gerty lever think
Of that" She believed it to be
simple matter Of clothes. 1t Away
took her weeks to get ready to go any
where.
But l won't wait any longer thai
next week. If she does not go then,
will. Absurd for us both to be here.
1t was already fiercely hot.
Gerty, meanwhile, had been wonder
Ing how she could suggest to her sis
ter-in-law that her trip be taken first
Without arousing suspicious! Ter
rlbly loud in her ears sounded hel
thoughts those days.
Her husband flung n letter on the
table one evening. "A letter to yOl
from-Casey."
She tried to make the fingers tina
closed over the letter move casually
She could feel them tremble. What
would she say If Tom asked to see it
1t was addressed to her in her hus'
bands care. Hardin had found 1t al
the office in his mail. And she going
each day to the pOstoftice to prevent
it from falling into his hands! She
gave 1t n quick offhand glance.
about the drive, of course, Sup
per's getting cold. Look at that ONE
lette. Don't wait to wash up. 1t will
be like leather"
When she had finished her meal, she
read her letter with Il fine show Of in
difference. "He sets a date for the
drive She put the letter carelessly
into her pocket before her husband
could stretch out his hand. 1t would
never do for jealous Tom to read that:
"YOur letter was received two weeks
ago. Pardon me for appearing to have
forgotten your Kindness"
1.-THE nerve" grOwled Tom again,
his mouth full Of Gerty's omelette.
"To take you up on an invitation like
that. I call that pretty raw"
"You must remember W. are such
old friends" urged his wife. "He
knew / meant 1t seriously"
"Just the same, It's nerve" grum-
bled Hardin, helping himself to more
Of the omelette, now a fiat ruin in the
center of the Canton platter. His re-
sentiment had taken on an edge of
hatred since the episode Of the dredge
machinery. $40 write to anyone in
my house. He knows what | think of
him an Intellectual ass. that's what be
is. laundering around with his little
leveeS. and his fool work on the wa
ter tower"
"The water tower?" demanded his
sister. "What's he doing with thnt?"
"Oh. l don't know" rejoined Tom
largely, his lips protruding. He had
been itching to ask some one what
Richard was up to. Twice, he had
seen him go up, with MacLean and
Estrada. Once, there a large flare of
light. But he wouldn't ask! Some of
his fool tinkering!
His sisters gaze rested on him with
concern. He had too little t. do. She
guessed that his title, consulting en-
gineer. was a hooking one, that his
chief, Mt least, did not consult him.
Was 1t true. what she had heard, that
he had made q fluke about the ma
chinery? He was looking seedy. He
had been letting his clothes go. He
looked like a man who has lost grip
who has been shelved.
She knew he was sleeping badly.
Every morning now she found the
rumpled. Not much pretense of
c%ongeniality. Things were 60
Ing badly, there
Everybody has accepted" Gerry
saying. "They have been waiting
for me to set the date"
"And you cater to him, let him
iangle you all. I wonder why you do
t, unless It's to hurt me-"
Hurt you, TOm," cried his wife, her
deep blue eyes wide with dismay.
can you say such a thing? But
f 1t Is given for him, how can l do
lnything else than let him arrange
he day to suit himself? 1t would be
'unny for the guest of honor not to
,e present. wouldn't it?"
II don't see why you want to make
n guest of honor" he retreated,
covering his position.
Gently, Gerty expressed her belief
hat she was doing the best thing for
Ter husband in getting up a public af-
air for his successor. She did think
hat Tom would see that 1t showed
hey had no feeling.
Il think 1t a fine idea" agreed In
es heartily. I'm sure Tom will, too,
he thinks about it," But she did
OF give him any chance to express
imself. "How are you going to man.
&c 1t. Gerty7 You said it was going
, be progressive?"
"We shall draw for partners" said
FRS. Hardin. And change every half
mile. The first lap will be two
lilies; that will give some excitement
q cutting for partners" Easy, being
he hostess, to withhold any slip she
easy to make It seem acct
"When is this circus coming Off"
inquired her husband. I,
"Mr. Richard says he will be back
n the first; that he'll be free on the
"For half an hour. I'll listen to Mrs. {
'oungberg tell me how hard 1t is to 4,
ave to do without servants, as she's