Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1919-05-30
CHAPTER xxx.
A Glimpse Of Freedom.

The siding was deserted. The Pal
myra had run cut to TuscOn. Marshall
had gone without apprehension. They
did not expect now to have setbacks,
to have to extend the time set for the
ultimate diversion. The days were
flowing like oil. The encampment was
filling up with visitors, newspaper men
who came to report the spectacular
capture of the river
Richards day badly begun. piled up
with veXatiOns. BY shutdown, he was
wet to the skin. and mad as sick Ari-
IONA cat.
In this jaundiced juncture. Mac
Lean. Jr., brought down his dispatches
to the river. He read of the burning
of trainlOad of railroad ties. Richard
swOre.
Anything else pleasant?"
"A letter from the gOvernOr-frOm
dad" MacLean read that his father
begged a small favor of Richard.
Godfrey. the celebrated English
tenor, is on my hands. His doctors
have been advising outdoor occupa-
ton. am sending him to you. ask
ing you to give him any job you may
have. He is willing to do anything.
Put him at something to keep him &C.
cupied."
MacLean saw Richards face turn
red. Suffering cats! A WORKOUT
opera singer! What sort Of an opera
does he think we're giving down here?
Why doesn't he send me fur coat. or
pair of girl twins? Give the tenor
role! Anything else? Pile it all
on"
"Oh, and one from Godfrey himself.
He's in Los Angeles. He says he'll be
here tomorrow" He did not wait for
his chiefs reply.
At the supper table, Richard, dry
and in restored humor. alluded to the
invasion of high notes. PITY the parts
are all assigned! The only vacancy
is i'm the kitchen. l wonder how he
would like to be understudy to Ling"
The next day when the incident had
been forgotten. and while Richard was
up at the Crossing on the concrete
gate, Godfrey blew into camp. He
was like boy out on lark. His
venture. He explored the camp and
came back bubbling.
Its the biggest l ever saw. But say.
Junior, that's what they call you.
isn't it? I'm the only idle man here.
Can't you give me something to do?
I'll do anything. I'd like the boss to
find me busy when he comes in"
MacLean sOftened the Offer Perhaps
until Mr. Godfrey learned the ropes he
could be of general use. They were
short-handed the present moment
there was another hesitation-in the
kitchen! Ling. the Chinese cook, was
Overcrowded-so many visitors
Great" crOwed Godfrey, Shaping
him on the shoulder. Il don't want to
feel in the way. want to earn my
board. Lead me to the cook -
That evening, the dinner was helped
on its way by the best-paid singer of
Ling, he was "having the time of his
life", Ling. pretending to scOld. had
been won Immediately. Richard. hear
ing of the jolly advent. forgot his vex-
alton. and Immediately on his return
made his way TO the mesQuit Enclosure
to greet the friend of George Mac
Lean.
After dinner, MacLean carried Off
his prize to the Delta. where Godfrey
earned his welcome. Gerry Hardin for
gdR to fiirt with the engineers; she
had discovered new sensation. The
wonderful voice twisted her heart
strings it told her that the heart thar
has truly loved never fOrgets, and she
knew that she could never have really
loved, yet, because the youth in her
veins was whispering to her that she
could still forget. Godfrey saw mo-
bile plaintive face turned up to the
gibbOus moon he swept it with thrills
and flushes. She was wonderful au-
dience; she was also his orchestra. the
woman with the plaintive eyes. He
played on her expressions as though
she were harp.
Later, he was presented to Mrs
Hardin. She told him that the camp
would no longer be dull; that she. had
tea every afternoon In her ramada.
She convicted him archly of British
hood. "She knew he must have his
| tea ~
"YOu AmericaTp women are the won
ders of the world! Nothing daunts you.
In the desert, and you give afternoon
teas. I'll be there every day."
He gave her open admiration; she
looked young and wistful in her soft
! flowing mulls, the moonlight helping
her. She fell into a delicious furry of
nerves and excitement. Later, she
wandered with him from rude gaping
world into q heaven of silvered decks
and cleaning waters. He told her of
himself, of his loneliness: his music
had dropped him to self-pity.
Gerty Hardin heard her bars drop
behind her. She snatched her first
glimpse, of freedom.
CHAPTER xxx.