New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1919-05-16
CHAPTER XIV.
Smudqe,

ing a letter that Jagged somehow, In.
mes Hardin had seen Richard 60 to
her sisters tent. She did not need to
analyze the sickness of sight that
watched the dancing step acknowl'
edge its intention. 1t meant wretch
edness, for Tom. At a time when he
most needed g%entleness and sympathy
rasped as he was by his h%umiliatiOns
and disappointments-how could any
woman be so cruel? AS for Richard,
he was beneath cOntempt-lf 1t were
true, Gerty's story, told in shrugs and
dashes. She had Tilted him for Tom ;
and this his revenge? She had not
the thought reused in her. 1t proved
what the blood tie is, this tigerish
passion sweeping through her, as her
eyes watched that closed tent-it was
for love for Tom, pity for Tom. Sex
honor-why, Gerty did not know the
meaning of the words!
How long would it be before Tom
would see what every one else was
seeing? What would he do when he
knew? Hating Richard already, bitter
as he was
She was not so biased as he. She
could see why Marshall had had to re-
organize. Estrada had shown her;
and MacLean. Her sense of justice
had done the rest. Richard had proved
his efficiency; the levee, the camp. the
military discipline all showed the gen.
eral. Whether he were anything of
an engineer. time would tell that. 1t
was a long call he was making! Sup
pose Tom We're to come back? She
must watch for him-make some ex-
cuse to pull him in If he should come
back before that other went Hate
full, such eavesdropping! A prisoner
to that mans gallivanting!
For an instant she did not recognize
the figure outside Gerty's tent. Her
fears saw Tom. She reached the
screen door in time to see Richard lift
his hat to a disappearing furry of ruff
tles. Angry eyes watched Richards
step swing him away.
From the levee that day, she had q
glimpse Of the Mexican Oma on her
knees by the river. rubbing clothes
against a smooth stone. A pile Of
socks lay on the bank. In
mes stood and watched her.
II must remember to speak of her
to Gerty." she determined. "She prob.
ably does not know that there is a
In camp"
1t vas n week later before she re-
TO speak of the Mexican
''who could wash" The two
were on their way to their
from the mess breakfast. Sonora
MaldonndO was leaving MacLean's
tent with a large bundle Of used
under her arm.
"She washes for the men. I'm 60
ing to ask her to do my khakis for me.
this oma would be willing
do all our laundry"
Gerty had been wondering what she
would say to lines. The speech which
only an Introduction was
stirred into the open.
"You must not" her voice trembled
With anger. "yOu must not ask that
She is not to be spoken to-"
The girl asked her bluntly what she
meant.
You must not give her your wash
ng-must not speak to her. I've not
mentioned 1t before. Il hoped II
would not be necessary. Tom told me
to speak Of it."
TON told you not to speak of 1t?
Got to speak Of what?"
You must have Observed-Mr. Rick.
The girls ear did not catch the
hort pause. Conserved Mr.. Rickardr"
THE GOODNESS between us. 1 scarce
Y speak to him. l don't wish to speak
o him."
When had all this happened, Innea
emanded of herself3 Had she been
sleep. throwing pity from outdated
II won't countenance a COMMON AZ
air like that" Her eyes, sparkling
18th anger. suggested Jealous wrath
D lines. who had her first hint Of the
tory. She had learned never to take
he face value Of her sisters verbal ,
DIN; II was only a symbol of value /,
stood for something else. |,
The yellow eyes were on the dredge
ucket rs 1t swung across the channel, /,
ut they did not register. She was
ngry. outraged; she did o know 1
18th whom. With Gerry for telling her. 4