Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1919-05-23

fretted her, made her restless, home
sick? Then she had discovered the
reason; history was going on down
yonder. Going on, without her. She
knew that that was what was pulling
| her; that only!
The exodus of engineers had started
riverward in July. Gerty went with
Tom, and she had made it distinctly
clear that it was not necessary for In
mes to follow them. Ridiculous for two
women to coddle Tom Hardin I'm
less Innes. mad special interest!
Her pride had kept her away Bui
Tom did not write Gerty's letters We're
social and unsatisfactory the newspa-
per reports inflamed her. The day be-
fore she had wired Tom that she was
coming. She had to be there at the
end.
Certy welcomed her stif1ly. Assum
ing a conscientious hostess-ship, @{sa
caught fire at her waning enthusiasts
Gerty looked younger and prettiert
| Her flush accentuated her childish fea-
| lures which were smiling down her an
noyance over this unlimited visit.
eve have all the home comforts,
haven't we? Why shouldn't we be COM
| Portable when we are to be here for
months? I'm going to brave it Quito
the bitter end, even if bake. 1t is my
| duty" She would make her intention
perfectly clear! 'There ought to be at
| least one coZy place, one soft nook
that suggests woman's presence. we
have tea here in the afternoon, some
! times. Mr.. Richard drops in" The
| last was q delicate stroke.
afternoon tea? At the Front? Is
this modern warfare?" The girl draped
her irony with a smile.
Gerty was stealing a pleased survey
| in the mirror through the rough door
| that opened into the division called
her bedroom. The sunburned, uncon-
! scious profile of Innes was close to .er
! own. Pink and golden the head by the
dark one. She hooked younger even
| her.
! "We are going to dine on the Delta
! tonight She pinned up a "scolding
! lock-" an ugly misnOmer for her sunny
/ clinging curls The mirror was requi-
! sitioned again. 'VThat's the name of
the new dredge. It was christened
three weeks ago, in champagne
! brought from Yuma
''You said dine on the Delta. Do you
mean they have meals there?"
"You should see it," cooed Gerty.
'Its simply elegant. It's floating
hotel, has every convenience. The
camp cook, Ling, has his hands full"
"Going to wear that?" They were
standing now by the door of Gerty's
dressing tent. Over the bed white
lingerie gown was spread.
ST live in them. It's so hot" shrugged
Mrs. Hardin.
"Tll look like your maid, Gerty!' In
nes' exclamation was rueful. IL didn't
bring anything but khakis. Oh, yes! I
remember throwing in, the last minute,
two piques to fill up space"
"Why, we have dances on the Delta,
and Sunday evening concerts. You
knew the work at Laguna dam is being
held up? The government men of the
Reclamation Service are down here all
the time. But it's time to be getting
ready"
Later Tom fatty refused to accom-
pany them.
81 thought as much" Gerty shrugged
an airy irresponsibility. Innes coulG
detect no regret.
They passed cot outside the tent.
"Who sleeps thcre?'
''Tom." The eyes of the two women
did not meet.
Innes made no comment.
''He finds the tent stuffy.' Gerty's
lips were prim with reserve. They
walked toward the river in silence. AS
they reached the encampment, Gerty
recovered her vivacity.
'"That's Mr.. Rickard's office, that
ramada. Isn't it quaint? And that's
his tent; no, the other one. MacLean's
is next there's Junior now"
But his yes were too full of Innes to
see Gerty's dimples. The difference in
the quality of his greetings smote Gerty
like a blow. And she had never con-
sidered Toms sister attractive, as a
possible rival. Yet, after handshake
she saw that to MacLean, Jr., she did
not exist.
Gerty was deeply piQued. Until now
the field had been hers. She might per-
haps have to change her opinion OF
Toms sister. Boys, she had to con
cede, the younger men, might find her
attractive, boyishly congenial; older
men would fail to see q charmi
The arrangement at table annoyed
Gerty. The boss, MacLean explained
gaily, would not be there for dinner
He might come in later. Two men from
the Reclamation Service tried to enter
tain Mrs. Hardin.
1T isn't a battle" Times looked
around the gay rectangle. cts play r
The thought followed her that eve.