The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1919-07-05

mes thoughts cOnpldIntu. 'ohO We
restless to make her own plans. 1t
had not yet occurred to her that Gerty |
would stay in all summer. For she
never had so martyrized herself.
"Some one must be with Tom. 1t may
spoil my trip. But Gerty never thinks
of that" She believed it TO be
simple matter of clothes. 1t always
took her weeks to get ready to go any
where.
But won't wait any longer than
next week. If she does not go theh'
will. Absurd for us both to be here.
1t was already fercely hot.
Gerty, meanwhile, had been wonder
ing how she could suggest TO her SIS
ter-in-law that her trip be taken hrst'
Without arousing suspicious! Ter
ribly loud in her ears sounded her
thoughts those days.
Her husband flung a letter on the
table one evening. "A letter to you
from-Casey."
She tried to make the fingers that
closed over the letter move casually.
She could feel them tremble. What
would she say If Tom asked to see itE
1t was addressed to her in her hus-
bands care. Hardin had found 1t at
the Office in his mail. And she going
each day to the postoffice to prevent
1t from falling into his hands She
gave It a quick offhand glance.
about the drive, Of course. Sup
per's getting cold. Look at that ONE
lette. Don't wait to wash up. 1t Will
be like leather"
When she had finished her meal. she
read her letter with fine show OF In
difference. HE sets a date for the
drive" She put the letter carelessly
into her pocket before her husband
could stretch out his hand. 1t would
never do for jealous Tom to read that
"Your letter was received two weeks
ago. Pardon me for appearing to have
forgotten your kindness"
THE nerve" growled Tom again
his mouth full of Gerty's omelette
ITO take you up on an invitation like
that. / call that pretty raw"
"You must remember we are such
old friends" urged his wife. "He
knew l meant 1t seriously"
"Just the same, it's nerve" grum
bled Hardin, helping himself to more
of the omelette, now a fiat ruin in thu
center of the Canton platter. His re
sentiment had taken on an edge o.
hatred since the episode of the dredg'
machinery. ITO write to anyone il
my house! He knows what l think o
him; an Intellectual ass, that's what h
is. laundering around with his littl
levees. and his fool work on the wa
ter tower"
) "The water tower" demanded hi
sister. "What's he doing with that?
"Oh, don't know" rejoined Tor
largely, his lips protruding. He ha
, been itching to ask some one wha
Richard was up to. Twice, be ha
seen him go up. with MacLean an
|. Estrada. Once, there a large flare @
light. But he wouldn't ask! Some Q
: his fool tinkering!
!, His sisters gaze rested on him wit
concern. He had too little to do. Sh
!, guessed that his title, consulting er
gineer. was q mocking one, that HI
chief, at least, did not consult hin
Was 1t true. what she had heard, this
:, he had made a fluke about the m,
!, chinery? He was looking seedy. II
:, had been letting his clothes go. b
:, looked like q man who has lost griI
:. who has been shelved.
y She knew he was sleeping badl
q Every morning now she found Il
r couch rumpied. Not much pretense {
;. marital congeniality. Things were &
n ing badly, there
II Everybody has accepted" Ger
r. was saying. 'sThey have been waitir
\ for me to set the date"
70 "And you cater to him, let hi
r. dangle you all. / wonder why you {
1t, unless it's to hurt me-"
n Hurt you, Tom," cried his wife, h
70 deep blue eyes wide with disma
q. "How can you say such a thing? B
20 IL 1t Is given for him. how can I
"A anything else than let him arran
n the day to suit himself2 1t would
ar funny for the guest of honor not
ar be present. wouldn't it?''
81 don't see why you want to ma
In him a guest of honor" he retreatt
c. covering his position.
is Gently, Gerry expressed her bell
n that she was doing the best thing I
in her husband in getting up a public
To fair for his successor. She did thi
IT. that Tom would see that it show
re they had no feeling.
e. 81 think IL a fine idea" agreed
r mes heartily. I'm sure Tom will, t,
az when he thinks about It." But she {
g. not give him any chance to expr,
nd himself. "How are you going to m,
i'll age 1t. Gerty? You said it was goi
Iu- to be progressive?"
er "we shall draw for partners" S,
I'd Mrs. Hardin. "And change every b
to a mile. The first lap will be t
ais miles; that will give some excitem,
in cutting for partners" Easy, bel
It'll the hostess. to withhold any slip {
Of pleased, easy TO make 1t seem a,
Ter dental
'el when is this circus coming of
lid inquired her husband.
in Mr.. Richard says he will be b.
pg nv, tho fret that ho,Jl ha Fraa an