Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-04-11

Ihey passed cot outside the tent.
"Who sleeps thereT'
"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.. Richards 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 eyes 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 plqued. 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 a charm!
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.
"It isn't a battle" Innes looked
around the gay rectangle. Its play ="
The thought followed her that eve
ming. Outside, where the moonlight
was silvering the deck, and the quiet
river Tapped the sides of the dredge,
Joses strings, and his amigos" throb-
bing from a dark corner, made the H.
lusion Of peace convincing. This was
no battle. 1t was easy to believe her.
self again at Mare island-the Delta a
cruiser.
Later, Gerty passed her, two-step-
ping divinely. Before her partner
turned his head, Innes recognized the
stiff back and straight poised head and
dancing step Of Rickard. She admit
ted he had distinction, grudgingly. She
could not think of him except compara-
lively; always antithetically, balanced
against her Tom.
''Tm tired; let's rest here" Innes
drew into the shadow of the great arm
of the dredge. They watched the
dancers as they passed. MacLean play
ing the woman in "Pete's" arms, Gerty
with nickard, two other masculine cou-
pies. The Hardins were the only wom-
en- aboard.
1t was because of Tom that Innes
felt resentment when the uplifted ap-
pealing chin, the lace ruffles fluttered
by. Tom, lying outside an unfriendly
tent
1t was easy, IN that uncertain light
to avoid Richards glance of recogni
tion. Estrada, who had come aboarC
with the manager, sought her out, anC
then Crothers of the o. P. Again, she
saw Rickard dancing with the lingerie
gown. There seemed to be no attempt
to cover Gerty's preference; for Rick
ard, she was the only woman there
Because she was Toms sister, she haC
right to resent it, to refuse to NEE
his eye. Small wonder Tom did no
come to the Deltal
Going in with MacLean, Jr., to tn,
messroom for a glass of water, she me
Richard, on his way out. She man
aged to avoid shaking hands with him
She wondered why she had consentet
to give him the next waltz.
Hell not find me-" she determined
, MacLean followed her gladly to tn
dark corner of the deck where's Jose
guitar was then syncopating an accom-
, paniment to his amigos" voice.
To her surprise, Richard penetrate
her curtain of shadows.
= "Our dance, Miss Hardin? Give u
. 'Sohr' Las Olas,' again, jose"
: The hand that barely touched hi
: arm was stiff with antagonism. Sll
q told herself that he had to dance wit
@ -politeness, cOnventionality, d.
manded it. But, instantly, she forge
+ her resentment, and forgot their awl
o ward relation. 1t was his dancing, NJ
Gerty's. then. that was superb" An,
:. body could find skill under the leade
i ship of that irresistible step. And the
l. the motion claimed her. She though
of nothing; they moved as one to ii
liquid falling beat.
!. Tie music dropped them suddenl
r. sOlaiing them at the stern of the dec
n The silence was complete. Rickal
= broke it to ask her what she thought
N the camp.
n Her resentments were recalled. 81
n blundered through her impression
% the lightness, the gayety.
A. "a work camp does not have to
10 solemn. You'll find all the grimne
you want If you look beneath the 81
Ia face"
d The guitars were tuning up. "Sh;
/ take you back? l have this dan
" with your sister"
DR. She thought of Tom-on his lone
ID cot outside his tent. She forgot tn
n she had been asked a question.
er was dancing again with Gertyl If th
ne silly little woman had no scruples,
IN fine feeling, this man should at lea
to guard her. If he had been her low
he should be careful he must see tn
tn people were talking Of them. She h
lg seen the glances that EVENING" 7
ny business relation between the two m
~ should suggest tact, if not decency !
of was outrageous.
esi Rickard stood waiting to be
ne missed; puzzled. Through the unc
tain light, her anger came to him. S
ou looked taller, older; there was fla
of accusing passion in her eyes.