The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1919-05-22

would star In all Summer. For she
nsyer had 50 narryrized berzeif
Some one must be with Tom II may
spon ny trip. But Gerty never thinks
Of that She believed IL to be q
simple matter Of clothes. II always
took her weeks to get ready to 60 any
where.
"But won't wait any longer than
next week. II she does not 20 then.
viii. Absurd for Us both to be here"
il was already fercely hot
Gerty. meanwhile, had been wonder
ing how she could suggest TO her sis
ter-ln-law that her trip be taken first.
Without srousing suspioionsl Ter
ribIy loud In her ears sounded her
/ thoughts those days.
Her husband flung q letter On the
table one evening. "A letter to you
froro-Casey."
She tried 10 make the fingers that
closed over the letter move casually.
She could feel them trernble. What
would she cay II Tom asked to see III
II was addressed to her In her hus-
bands care. Hardin had found II at
the Office In his mall. And she going
each day to the postoffice to prevent
II from falling into Lis handsi She
gave II a quick offhand glance.
about the drive, of course, Sup
pers getting cold. Look at that ONE
iette. Don't wait to wash up. It viii
be like leather"
When she had finished her meal. she
read her letter with fine show Of In
difference. 'He sets q date for the
drive" She put the letter carelessly
into her pocket before her husband
could stretch out his hand. 1t would
never do for Jealous Tom to read that:
'Your letter was received two weeks
ago. Pardon me for appearing To have
forgotten your Kindness"
The nerve" growled Tom again,
his mouth full of Gerty's omelette.
ITO take you up on an invitation like
that call that pretty raw"
You must remember we are such
old friends" urged his wife. He
knew meant II seriously"
Just the same. it's nerve" grum-
bled Hardin, helping himself to more
Of the omelette. now q nat ruin In the
center Of the Canton platter. His re-
sentiment had taken on an edge Of
hatred since the episode Of the dredge
machinery. ITO write to anyone in
my house! He knows what think Of
him; an Intellectual ass, that's what he
is. Blunderlng around with his little
levees. and his fool work on the wa
ter tower"
The water towerf" demanded his
sister. ~Whats he doing with thatT
"oh, don't know" rejoined Tom
largely. his lips protruding. He had
been itching to ask some one what
Rickard was up to. Twice. he had
seen him go up. with MacLean and
Estrada. Once, there large fare Of
light. But he wouldn't askl Some of
his fool tinkeringl
His sisters gaze rested on him with
concern. He had too little to do. She
guessed that bis title, consulting en-
eiaeer. was a mocking one, that his
chief. at least, did not consult him.
Was. II true. what she had heard, that
he had made a fluke about the ma.
chinery7 He was looking seedy. He
had been letting his clothes go. He
looked like man who has lost grip:
who has been shelved.
She knew he was sleeping badly.
Every morning now she found the
couch rumpled. Not much pretense Of
marital congeniallty. Things were 60
Ing badly, there
Everybody has accepted" Gerty
was saying. ''rhey have been waiting
for me to set the date"
"And you cater to him, let him
dangle you all. I wonder why you do
II. unless It's to huf. me-"
Hurt you. Torn, cried his wife, her
deep blue eyes wide with dismay.
How can you say such thing7 But
II II is given for him. how can do
anything else than let him arrange
the day to suit himselff 1t would be
funny for the guest of honor not to
be present. wouldn't itf'
II don't see why you want to make
him a guest Of honor" he retreated,
covering his position.
Gently. Gerty expressed her belief
that she was doing the best thing for
her husband In getting up public af-
fair for his successor. She did think
that Tom would see that II showed
they had no feeling.
II think It fine idea." agreed In
mes heartily. "Tm sure Tom will, too,
when he thinks about IT," But she did
not give him any chance to express
himself. 'Iow are you going 10 man.
age 1t. Gertyf You said It was going
to be progrcssiver"
I'VE shall draw for partners" said
Mrs. Hardin. "And change every half
a mile. The nrst lap win be two
miles; that will give some excitement
In cutting for partners" Easy, being
d.