The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, 1919-10-17
CHAPTER xxxlV.
A 0esereion,

-" N~VUVo
A 0esertion.
When the afternoon waned and God
frey did not call on her Gerty was
reused to uneasiness. Had she angere.l
him by refusing to make the definite
promise? Could 1t be love. the sort of
love she wanted, IL he could stay away
like this when they could have the
camp to themselves. every one down at
the break, no Hardins running in every
minute? Their first chance and God
frey sighting 1t
He would surely come that evening,
knowing that she would be alone! The
little watch Tom had given her for an
almost forgotten birthday set the pace
for her resentment. Nine. ten. eleven!
How dared he treat her so? She blew
out the lamps when she found that she
was shaking with anger and undressed
in the dark. She could not see him,
if he came now. her self-control all
gone! But she could not go to bed.
She stood in her darkened tent, shaken
by her angry passions.
Suppose that he were only trif1lKs
with her? What was that paper he had
thrust in her hand? With q candle
she found the yellow paper. 1t was
q copy Of a telegram to Godfrey's law
yer. 'Start divorce proceedings at
once. Any grounds possible. Back
soon. Godfrey"
The frightened blood resumed its
normal flow. II he had done this for
her then she had not lost him. An ap-
parent elOpement. why had she never
thought Of that before1 That would
cement their bond. Her scruples could
grow on the road. Oh, she could man
age Godfrey. She would 60 with him.
She remembered that she must 60 tc
bed II she were to have any looks In
the morning.
When Godfrey came to her next AZ
ternOOn, penitent, refreshed after q
long mornings sleep, he found a
charming hostess. She was shy about
his telegram. Enchantingly distant
when he tried to reach her hand!
Il can't go without you." he cried.
He had discovered her Interpretation of
his telegram and 1t delighted him: he
began to believe in his own intention.
II know. You shrink from it all. You
dread the steps that will free you. You
need me beside you to help you. Let's
cut the knot. Tonight"
mot tonight. Maybe tomorrow"
whispered Gerry, and then she man.
aged few tears and he was allowed
to kiss her. It vas all arranged before
he left the ramada. They were 10
leave together the next day. Her oh.
ject would be accomplished by their
leaving together. He would feel that
he owed her his name.
OF course Gerty must do 1t In the
conventional way! She would have
used rope ladders had they been
I needed. The conventional note was
| pinned to her bureau scarf.
| lnnes was with Tom when he found
It. They came in together from the
river. Neither had noticed the odd
looks from the men as they passed
through the encampment. A dozeL
men had seen Hardin's wife leave fol
the North with Godfrey.
Gerty's letter told Tom that 1t wa
NIL over. She had tried to stand 1t. Il
be true even through his cruelty, hui
n feeling stronger than she was made
her true to herself, aud SO true at las
to him!
Innes' revulsion lacked speech. TIL.
common batter sickened her. Sh,
could offer no comfort. His eyes tolt
her It was worse than death.
He struck off her hand when i
touched his shoulder. Gerty's hant
had coerced him that way. He Wa
done with softness.
His silence oppressed her. This wa
a man she did not know :. inarticulate
smitten. She told herself that even /,
sister was an intruder-but she wa
afraid to leave him alone. She tool
station by her own tent door. Sh
would not 60 down to dinner. For hour
she watched his tent. When 1t grew
dark she could no longer endure /,
She found him where she had left him
| She forced herself toward the vol