The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-04-17

here, isn't it?" She flashed at him the
look he remembered so vividly, tho
childish coquettlsh appeal. "We dine
at home, till II becomes ttresome, and
then we come forging for variety. But
you must come 20 rs, 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 ger back to his table, wondering
why in thander he had let Marshall per-
saade him to take this Job.
Hardin waited scant minute to pro-
test: "What possessed you to ask him
to dinnerT
"Why shouldn't I? He is an old
friend" Gerty caught glance of ap-
peal, from sister to brother. "Jealous2"
she pouted charmingly at her lofd.
jealous. - bluffed Hardin.
He thought then that she knew, that
Inbes had told her. The Lawrence cpl
sode held no sting to him. Once, 1t
had enchanted him that he had carried
off the clearinghouse belle, whom even
that bookman had found desirable
bookmanl A superior dude! He had
always had those grand airs. As IL 1t
were not more to mans credit to
struggle for his education, even II he
were older than his class, or his teach
er, than to accept 1t Off silver plates,
handed by lackeys? Rickard had al
ways acted as II it had been something
to be ashamed of. 1t mad him sick.
'They've done 1t this time. It's a
fool choice"
Again, that look Of pleading from In
nes. Gerty had shiver Of intuition.
"Fool choice" Her voice was l.
nously calm. II
Hardin shook of Innes' eyes. Better
be done with It'll "He's the new gen.
eral manager"
Hes the general manager"
"Pm to take orders from him."
Gerty's silence was Of the stunned
variety. The Hardins watched her
crumbling bread on the tablecloth
thinking. fearfully, that she was going
to cry.
"Didn't I tell your" Her voice, re-
pressed. carried the threat Of tears.
didn't / tell you how 1t would be-?
Didn't I say that you'd be sorry II you
called the railroad in?"
"Must we go over this again?" asked
her husband.
; "Why didn't you tell me7 Why did
you let me make a goose Of myselfT
She was remembering that there had
In
nes. She knewl A family secret (!
she shrugged. I'm glad, on the whole,
that you planned 1t as surprise. For
| carried 1t Off as IL we'd not been in
suited. dlsgraced."
"Gerty" expostulated Hardin.
"Gerty'' implored Innes.
"And we are In for nice friendly
dlnner!"
"Are you quite fipished?" Hardin
got up.
AS the three passed out of the dining
room. Rlckard caught their several ex-
pressions: Hardin's stlff, Indifferent !;
Gerty's brilliant but hard, as she
flashed u finished, brave little smile in
his direction. The sisters bow was
distinctly naughty.
In the hall. Gerty's laugh rlppled
out. 1t was the laugh Richard remem-
bered, the light frivolous cadence
which recalled the flamboyant pattern
of the Holmes parlor carpet, the long
crowded dining table where Gerty had
reigned. 1t told him that she was in
different to his coming, as she meant
II should. And 1t turned him back to
Il dark corner in the honeysuckle-
draped porch where he had spent so
many evenings with her, where once
he had held her hand. where he told
her that he loved her. For he had
loved her. or at least he thought he
had And had run away from her ex-
pectant eyes. A cad, was he. because
he had brought that waiting look into
her eyes, and had run from 1t?
Should man ask a woman to give
her life into his keeping until he Is
quite sure that he wants It? He was
revamping his worn defense. Should
he i've up to a minute of surrender. of
tenderness. II the next Instant brings
sanity. aud disillusionment? He could
bury now forever self-reproach. He
could laugh at his own vanity. Gerty
Hardin, II was easy to see, had forgot
ten what he had whispered to Gerty
Holiness, They met as sober old
friends. That ghost was laid.
CHAPTER