The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1919-04-03
are der partner
y,ii

cculd not think of hin except compard
lively; always antithetically, balanced
against her Tom.
SIN tired; let's rest here" mnes
drew into the shadow of the great arm
of the dredge. They watched the
dancers as they passed, MacLean play
ing Tho moman in 'Pete's" arms, Gerty
with Rickard, two other maseuline cou-
Piles. The Hardins were the only wom-
en- aboard.
1t was because of Tom that Innes
felt resentment when the uplifted ap-
pealing chin, the lace ruffses fluttered
by. Tom, lying outside an unfriendly
tent! t yN
1t was easy, in that uncertain light,
to avoid Richards glance of recogni-
ton. Estrada, who had come aboard
with the manager, sought her out, and
then Crothers of the o. P. Again, she
saw Richard 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 MacL Lean, Jr., to the
messroom for a glass Of water, she met
Richard. 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. ~
"He'll 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, Richard 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. conEentiorality, de-
manded 1t. But, instantly, she forgot
her resentment. and forgot their awk-
ward relation. 1t was his dancing, not
Gerty's, 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. Rickard
broke it to ask her what she thought of
the camp.
3 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? have this dance
with your sister,"
She thought Of sTonf-on his lonely
cot outside his tent. She forgot that
she had been asked question. He
was dancing again with Gertyi If that
silly little woman had no scruples, no
fine feeling, this man shoddd 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 evening! The
business relation between the two men
should suggest tact, II not decencyl 1t
was outrageous.
Rickard 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 we're old
friends. What had he said to can down
this sudden scorn? 'Dancing-again-"
Had he beer. all kinds of an ASST
"My turn, Miss InnesT" demanded
MacLean. Jr.
soh, yes,D she cried. relief in her
tone.
Richard 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 a two,
step like two young children. He was
never shown that side of her. Gay as
young kitten, che ting merrily with
MacLean! Should her eyes discover
him, she would be again the naughty
young woman!
He'd gone out of his way to be po-
lite to the wife of Hardin. What did
ha care what they thought? He'd fin
ism his job, and get out.
A minute later, he was being rowed
back to camp.
CHAPTER XXI.