Jerome County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1919-1920, 1919-04-10

GfeetluS-lne yeurS hdu been KIM 10 j
Gerty Holmes.
"Do you remember me, RickardT"
II Hardin recognized a difficult sltua-
tion. he did not betray II. II vas Il
man Richard did not know who shook !
MIN warmly by the hand. and said that |
indeed he had not forgotten him.
ave been expecting you. My wife.
Mr.. Richard and my sister"
"Why. what are you thinking Of,
Tom? To Introduce Mr.. Richard
introduced you to each other. years
ago" Gerty's cheeks were red. Her
bright eyes were darling from one TO
the other. "You knew he was coming.
and did not tell me-"
you were at the Improvement club
when the telegram came" put in lines
Hardin. without looking al Richard. No
trace Of the Tucson cordially in that
proud little face No acknowledgment
that they had met AT the Marshalls
'Oh, you telegraphed to us?" The
blond arch smile had not aged. "Thut
was friendly and nice"
Richard had not been self-conscious
for many a year. He did not know
what to say. He turned from her up
turned face to the others. lines Har-
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
Of this before Gerty discovered that it
was neither "friendly nor nice"
If | had known that you were here,
would have insisted on your dining
Nth u. in our tent. For it's terrible
here. isn't itf' She flashed al him the
look he remembered 50 wildly. the
childish coquettish appeal I'VE dine
at home, till it becomes tireSoIne, and
then we come foraging for variety. But
you must come to US. say Thursday. Is
that right for you? We should love IT,"
Still those two averted faces Rick
ard said Thursday, as he was hidden.
and got back TO 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
to dinner;'
"Why shouldn't I? He is an old
friend" Gerty caught glance of APP
peal, from sister to brother. "Jealous?"
she pouted charmingly al her lord.
jealous, no." bluffed Hardin
He thought then that she knew that
lines had told her The Lawrence cpl
sode held no sting to him. Once, it
had anchantad hin, tho, h. bo1 no rr;.d
of the clearinghouse belle. whom even
that bookman had found desirable
bOokmanl A superior dude. He had
always had those grand airs As if it
were not more to a mans credit to
struggle for his education, even if he
were older than his class. or his teach
er than to accept it off silver plates,
handed by lackeys? Richard had al
ways acted as if II had been something
to be ashamed Of. 1t made him sick.
They've done it this time. It's a
fool choice"
Again. that look of pleading from In
mes. Gerty had a SILVER of intuition.
"Fool choice?" Her voice was oml-
nously calm.
Hardin shook off lines eyes. Better
be done with it He's the new gen.
eral manager"
Hes the general manager !"
Tin to take orders from him."
Gorty's silence was of the stunned
variety. The Hardins watched her
crumhling bread on the tablecloth.
thinking. fearfully. that she was going
to cry
Didn't I tell you?" Her voice. re-
pressed. carried the threat of tears.
Didn't l tell you how it would be?
Didn't l say that you'd be sorry if you
called the railroad in?"
Must we 20 over this again?" asked
her husband.
"Why didn't you tell me? Why did
YOU let n, make goose of myself?''
She was remembering that there had
been no protest. no surprise from In
mes. she knew \ family secret
She shrugged. I'm glad. on the whole.
that YOU planned it rs q surprise. For
carried il of as if we'd not been in
suited. di~grac,d.'
"Gorty," eXpoStulated Hardin.
"Gerty," implored lines.
And We are in for nice friend!
dinner"
Are yeu quite finished?" Hardin
got up.
As the three passed out of the dining
room. Richard caught their several ex-
preSSions; Hardin'S still Indifferent
Gerty'S brilliant hut hard as she
flashed finished. brave little smile ia
his direction. The sisters bow WAS
distinctly naughty
In the hall Gerty's laugh rippled
out II was the laugh Richard remem-
bored. the lghI frivolous cadence
which recalled the flamhoyant pattern
OF The Holmes parlor carpet the long,
crowded dining table where Gerty had
rcigned. Il TOLD him that she was in
different To his coming. rs she meant
L should. And il turned him back Ia