New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1919-05-09

In the mirror through the rough door
| that opened into the division called
her bedroom. The sunburned. uncon-
sci0us profile of lines wal close to her
own. Pink and golden the head by the
dark one. She looked younger even
than lines! Good hunOr returned to
her.
"We are going to dine on the Delta
tonight" She pinned up a "scOlding
lock-" nm ugly misnomer for her sunny
cIinging curls! The mirror was requl-
sitiOned again. THAT'S the name Of
the new dredge. 1t vas christened
three weeks ago, In champagne
brought from Yuma"
"YOu said dine on the Delta. Do you
mean they have meals there"
"You should see It," cOOed Gerty.
ITS simply elegant. It's Il floating
hotel. has every convenience. The
camp cook. Ling, has his hands full"
"GOIng to wear that?" They were
standing now by the door Of Gerty's
dressing tent. Over the bed a white
lingerie gown was spread.
II live in them. It's so hot" shrugged
Mrs. Hardin.
"Ill look like your maid. Gerty!" In
nes' exclamation vas 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
held up? The government men Of the
Reclamation Service are down here all
the time. But It's time to be getting
ready"
Later, Tom fatty refused to accom-
pany them.
81 thought as much" Gerty shrugged
an airy responsibility. Innes could
detect no regret.
They passed Il cot outside the tent.
"Who sleeps thereY
"Tom." The eyes of the two women
did not meet.
InneS made no comment.
"He finds the tent stuffy." Gerty's
lips were prim with reserve. They
walked toward the river in silence. AS
they reached the encampment, Gerty
recovered her vivacity.
That's Mr.. Richards Office, that
rnmada. Isn't it quaint? And that's
his tent !; no, the other one. MacLean's
is next there's Junior, now"
d.. III, ,.o ,vor, foo full of Tppoo IN
see Gerty'S dimples. The difference in
the quality of his greetings smOte Gerty
like Il blow. And she had never cOn-
sidered Toms sister attractive, as a
possible rival. Yet, after a handshake,
she saw that to MacLean, Jr., she did
not exist.
Gerty was deeply piqued. Until now,
the field had been hers. She might per-
hnps have to change her opinion of
Toms sister. Boys, she had to con-
ccde, the younger men. might find her
attractive. boyishIy congenial; older
men would fail to see a charm!
The arrangement at table annoyed
Gerty. The boss. MacLean explained
| SalIN, Wuulu llpl Dt titIc LUZ uluucE.
He might come in later. Two men from
the Reclamation Service tried to enter
tain Mrs. Hardin.
ut isn't a battle" lines looked
around the gay rectangle. ITS play !"
The thought followed her that eve
ming. Outside. where the moonlight
was sIlvering the deck, and the quiet
river Tapped the sides of the dredge.
Jose's strings. and his amigos" throb-
bling from a dark corner. made the H.
fusion Of peace convincing. This was
no battle. 1t was easy to believe her.
self again at Mare island-the Delta a
cruiser.
Later. Gerty passed her, two-step-
ping divinely. Before her partner
turned his head, Innes recognized the
stiff back and straight poised head and
dancing step of Richard. She admit
ted he had distinction, g%rudgingly. She
could not think of him except compare
lively always antithetically, balanced
against her Tom.
"I'm tired; let's rest here" lines
drew into the shadow of the great arm
Of the dredge. They watched the
dancers as they passed, MacLean play
ing the woman in "Pete's" arms, Gerty
with Richard, two other masculine cou-
Plies. The Hardins were the only wom-
TN aboard.
1t was because of Tom that Innes
felt resentment when the uplifted ap-
pealing chin, the lace rufles fluttered
by. Tom, lying outside an u~nfrlendly
tent!
1t was easy. IN that uncertain light,
to avoid Richards glance of recognt-
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
a right to resent it, to refuse to meet
his eye. Small wonder Tom did not
come to the Delta!
Going in with MacLean, Jr.. to the
messrOom for a glass of water. she met
Richard, on his way out. She a
aged to avoid shaking bands with him.
She wondered why she had consented
to give him the next waltz.
Hell 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
ct, - nrccs ovofn 1ocnv