Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1919-03-22


ming. Outside, where the moonlight
was silvering the deck, and the quiet
river tapped the sides of the dredge,
Jose's strings, and his 'amigO's" throb-
bing from q dark corner, made the IL
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-ste2-
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 antlthetieally, balanced
against her Tom.
I'm 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 Rickard, two other masculine cou-
pies. The Hardlns were the only wom-
en- aboard.
1t was because of Tom that Innes
felt resentment when the uplifted ap-
pealing chin, the lace rufiies 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 aboard
with the manager, sought her out, and
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 had
right to resent it, to refuse to meet
his eye. Small wonder Tom did not
come to the Delta!
Going in with MacLean. Jr., to the
messroom for glass of water, she met
Rickard, on his way out. She man
aged to avoid shaking hands with him.
She wondered why she had consented
to give him the next waltz.
Hell not find me-" she determined.
MacLean followed her gladly to the
dark corner of the deck where's Jose's
guitar was then syncopating an accom-
paniment to his "amigos" voice.
To her surprise, Rickard penetrated
her curtain of shadows.
"Our dance, Miss Hardin? Give us
'Sobr' Las Olas, again, Jose."
The hand that barely touched his
arm was stiff with antagonism. She
told herself that he had to dance with
her-politeness, conventionality, de-
manded 1t. But, instantly, she forgot
her resentment, and forgot their awk-
ward relation. 1t was his dancing, not
Gertys, then, that was superb" Any
body could find skill under the leader
ship Of that irresistible step. And then
the motion claimed her. She thought
of nothing; they moved as one to the
liquid falling beat.
The music dropped them suddenly,
solating them at the stern Of the deck.
The silence was complete. Rlckard
broke it to ask her what she thought of
the camp.
Her resentments were recalled. She
blundered through her impression of
the lightness, the gayety.
"a work camp does not have to be
solemn. You'll find all the grimness
you want if you look beneath the sur
face" ~
The guitars were tuning up. "Shall
| take you back? I have this dance
with your sister,
She thought of Tom-on his lonely
cot outside his tent. She forgot that
she had been asked question. He
was dancing again with Gerty! If that
silly little woman had no scruples, no
fine feeling, this man should at least
guard her. If he had been her lover
he should be careful; he must see that
people were talking Of them. She had
seen the glances that evAingl The
business relation between the two men
should suggest tact, if not decency 1t
was outrageous.
Richard stood waiting to be dis
missed; puzzled. Through the uncer-
tain light. her anger came to him. She
looked taller older; there was flame
of accusing passion In her eyes.
It was his minute of revelation. So
that was what the camp thought! The
wife of Hardin-Hardin Why, he'd
been only polite to her--they were old
friends. What had he said to call down
this sudden scorn? "Dancing-again-"
Had he been all kinds of an ass?
"NIy turn, Miss Innes!" demanded
MacLean Jr.
ooh, yes" she cried, relief in her
tone.
Rickard did not claim his dance
with Mrs. Hardin. He stood where
the girl had left him, thinking, A few
minutes later, Gerty swept by in the
arms of Breck. Later, came Innes
with Junior; the two, thinking them
selves unseen, romping through two
step like two young children. He was
never shown that side of her. Gay as
a young kitten, chatting merrily with
MacLeanl Should her eyes discover
him, she would be again the naughty
young womanl
He'd gone out of his way to be po-
lite to the wife Of Hardin. What did