Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1919-02-15
"I've been expecting you. Ny wife,
Mr.. Rickard, and my sister"


Mr.. Rickard, and my sister,
'Why. what are you thinking Of
Tom? To introduce Mr.. Riekard
introduced you to each other, years
ago!" Gerty's cheeks were red. Hel
bright eyes were dartIng from one tC
the other. "YOu knew he was coming
aud did not tell me?"
"You were at the Improvement club
when the telegram came," put In Innes
Hardin, without looking at Rlckard. NC
trace Of The Tucson cordlallty In that
proud little face! No acknowledgment
that they had met at the Marshalrs!
oh, you telegraphed to us?" The
blond arch smile had not aged. "That
was friendly and nice"
Richard had not been self-conscious
for many a year. He did not know
what to say. He turned from her up
turned face to the others. Innes Har.
din was staring out of the window,
over the heads of several crowded
tables; Hardin was gazing at his plate
Richard decided that he would get out
Of this before Gerty discovered that IL
was neither 'sfrlendly nor nice"
If | had known that you were here,
would have insisted on your dining
with us, in our tent. For it's terrible,
here, isn't lt?" She flashed at him the
took he remembered so .yividly, the
childish coquettlsh appeal. "We dine
at home, till 1t becomes tiresome, and
then we come foraglng for variety. But
you must come to us, say Thursday. Is
that right for you? We should love 1t"
Still those two averted faces. Rick
ard said Thursday, as he was hidden,
and got back to his table, wondering
why In thunder he had let Marshall per-
suade him to take this Job.
Hardin waited scant minute to pro-
test: "What possessed you to ask him
TO dinner2'
"Why shouldn't /? He Is an old
friend Gerty caught a glance of ap-
peal, from sister to brother. "JealoueY'
she pouted charmlngly at her lord.
Jealous, no bluffed Hardin.
lie thought then that she knew, that
1nBes had told her The Lawrence epi-
sode held no sting to him. Once, 1t
had enchanted him that he had carried
off the clearinghouse belle, whom even
that bookman had found desirable
bookmanl A superior dude! He had
always had those grand airs. AS IL 1t
were not more to mans credit to
struggle for his education, even If he
were older than his class, or his teach
er, than to accept II off silver plates,
handed by lackeys? Rlckard had al
ways acted as II 1t had been something
TO be ashamed Of. II made him sick.
''They've done 1t this time. It's a
fool choice"
Again, that look OF pleading from In,
mes. Gerty had shlver Of intuition.
"Fool choice?' Her voice was oml.
nously calm.
Hardin shook off Innes' eyes. Better
be done with IL "He's the new gen.
eral manager
Hes the general managerw
SIN to take orders from him."
Gerty's silence was of the stunned
variety. The Hardins watched her
crumbllng bread on the tablecloth,
thinking, fearfully that she was going
to cry.
'Didn't tell your" Her voice, re-
pressed. carried the threat of tears.
'Didn't tell yoh how 1t would be-?
Didn't | say that you'd be sorry II you
called the railroad in2"
Must we go over this again?" asked
her husband.
"Why didn't you tell me? Why did
you let me make goose of myself?"
She was remembering that there had
been no protest, no surprise from In
mes. She knew! A family secret |
She shrugged. "rm glad on the whole,
that you planned II as surprise. For
! carried II off as II we'd not been In
suited, disgraced."
"Gertyl" expostulated Hardin.
"Gerty u implored innes.
"And we are In for a nice friendly
dinncr"
Are you quite finlshed?" Hardin
got up.
AS the three passed out of the dining
room, Richard caught their several ex-
pressions: Hardin's stir, Indifferent.
Gerty's brilliant but hard, as she
flashed a finished, brave little smile In
his direction. The sisters bow was
distinctly naughty.
IN the hall. Gerty's laugh rlppled
cut. II was the laugh Rickard remem-
hered. the light frivolous cadence
which recalled the fIamboyant pattern
Of the Holmes parlor carpet, the long,
crowded dining table where Gerty had
relgned. 1t told him that she was in
different to his coming, as she meant
1t should. And II turned him back to
Il dark corner In the honeysuckle-
draped porch where he had spent SO
many evenings with her, where once
he had held her hand. where he told
her that he loved her. For he had
|aped her, or at least he thought he
aadl And had run away from her ex-
leesant eyes. A cad, was he. because
had brQa.M that waiting look Into