The Raymer enterprise., 1919-08-21

Portable when We are to be here for
months? I'm going TO brave 1t QUITO
the bitter end. even II bake. |, Is my
duty" She would make her Intention
perfectly clear! '.There ought TO be at
least one coy place. one soft nook
that suggests woman's presence. We
have tea here In the afternoon, some
times. Mr.. Richard drops In" The
last was delicate stroke.
Afternoon tea! At the Front? Is
this modern warfare?" The girl draped
her irony with a smile.
Gerry was stealing a pleased survey
In the mirror through the rough door
that opened into the division called
her bedroom. The sunburned. uncon-
scions profile OF lines was close to her
own. Pink and golden the head by the
dark one. She looked younger even
than Innesl Good humor returned to
her.
I'VE are going to dine on the Delta
tonight" She pinned up a "scoldlng
lock" an ugly misnomer for her sunny
cllnglng curls! The mirror was requl-
sltioned again. THAT'S the name OF
the new dredge. 1t was christened
three weeks ago. In champagne
brought from Yuma"
"You said dine on the Delta. Do you
mean they have meals there7'
You should see It," cooed Gerty.
TITS simply elegant. It's floating
hotel. has every convenience. The
camp cook. Ling, has his hands full"
"Golng to wear that7" They were
standing now by the door Of Gerty's
dressing tent. Over the bed white
lingerie gown was spread.
Il live In them. It's so hot" shrugged
Mrs. Hardin.
"I'll look like your maid Gerty." In
mes exclamation was rueful. II didn't
bring anything but khakIs. Oh. yesl |
remember throwing In, the last minute,
two pIques to fill up space"
"Why, we have dances on the Delta,
and Sunday evening concerts. You
knew the work at Laguna dam Is being
he'd up? The government men of the
Reclamation Service are down here nil
the time. But It's time to be getting
ready"
Later, Tom fatty refused to accom-
pany them.
Il thought MS much" Gerry shrugged
mn airy responsibility. Innes could
detect no regret.
They passed cot outside the tent.
"Who sleeps theref'
''Tom." The eyes of the two women
did not meet.
1nnes made no comment.
''He finds the tent stuffy." Gerty's
lips were prlm with reserve. They
walked toward the river In silence. As
they reached the encampment, Gerry
recovered her yiyacity.
That's Mr.. Richards office, that
rnmada. Isn't II quaIntl And that's
his tent: mo, the other one. MacLean's
Is next; there's Junior, now"
But his eyes were too full OF lines 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.
Gerry WINS deeply pIqued. 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, MacLcun explained
gully, would not be there for dinner.
He might come In later Two men from
the Reclamation Service tried 10 enter
tain Mrs. Hardin.
ut isn't battle" lines looked
around the gay rectangle. Its play T"
The thought followed her that eve
ming. Outside. where the moonlight
was sllverlng the deck. and the quiet
river Tapped the sides of the dredge
Iose's strings, and his amigos" throb-
hing from dark corner, made the H.
fusion Of peace convincing. This was
no battle. II was easy to believe her.
self ngain at Mare isand-the Delta a
cruiser.
Later, Gerry passed her. two-step.
ping dlyinely. Before her partner
turned his head, lines recognized the
stiff back and straight poised bend and
dancing step Of Richard. She admit
ted he had distinction, grudglng.y. She
could not think Of hlfn except compare
lively; always INTELLECTUALLY, balanced
against her Tom.
TIN tired; let's rest here" Innss
drew into the shadow of the great arm
of the dredge. They watched the
danetrs as they passed. MacLean play
ing The woman In "Pete's" arms. Gerry
with Richard. two other masculine cou-
pies. The Hardlns were the only WON.
en- aboard.
1t was because Of Tom that hines
felt resentment when the uplifted ap-
nealing chin, the lace rufIles futtered
by. Tom, lying outside an unfrIendly
tent. -.--
II was easy, In that uncertain light,