Jerome County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1919-1920, 1919-07-03

going in? You call him, Mrs. Blinn."
Obediently her friend hailed Rick
arf He turned back. to the windy
street. He felt boyish; the crisis was
giving him mercurial feet. He loved
the modern battle Elements to pit
ones brains against, wits against
force
Gerry Hardin's face was flushing
and pallng. "The river" she faltered.
Should we be alarmed, Mr.. Rickardf"
Smiling. he assured her she should
not be alarmed; the levees would pro-
tect the towns.
Mr. Hardin is up at Fassett's
ranch. he win be coming back today.
told your husband. Mrs. Blinn, TO
catch a nap and then relieve Mr.. Har-
din"
Gerty found a Significance in his
words. He had said "Mr. Hardin and
your husband Mrs. Blinn.' 1t was
enough to weave dreams around.
I'VE can't do anything Mr. Richard.
to helpT urged Gerty Hardin, her
voice tremulOus.
Il hope we won't have to call on you
ut all"
There was no excuse to linger.
Gerty threw wistful little smile at
nartine
The second night Of the food, the
women OF The towns dragged brush
and filed sacks for the men to carry
II was past midnight when lines Har-
din left the leyee While her feet and
fingers had toiled, her mind had beer
frettlng over Tom. Two nights. anC
no restl II was told 10y men who came
down the river how Hardin was hero
'cally labOring. She yearned to 60 t'
/ him; perhaps he would stop for feN
] hours 10 her entreaty. But an uncer
tain trail across country. with th'
dust-laden wind in her face? She de
cided to wait for the dawn. \ snatche'
-leeD first, but who would call her
She would sleep for hours. so wear,
every muscle. Her mind fixed on San
as the only man in town who hat
time TO saddle a horse for woman.
She went in search Of him. Sh
found that the long adobe office build
ne had already taken on the look O
lefeat. of ruin. The easements ha
leen torn from the partitions; tn
loors and windows were out. The ful
allure had been hauled up to hig
ground farther away for safety. Sh
ent hunting through the ghouliS
gloom TOR the darby. turning her Lar
fern in every dark corner. She kne'
hat she would find him sleeping.
d. Then She heard Steps on the verand
2 She ran toward them. expecting to st
sam. She swung her lantern full O
two figures mounting the shallo
steps. Richard was with her siste
o-siW.
: b. excuse mel" she blurted blu
y. Of course Gerty would tai
4 hg intention from the stup
ne blue eyes met those of Inn
= it'll defiance. 1t was as though s.
l. lad spoken: 'Well think what y
:. will OF it. you Hardins! l don't ca
y what you think OF me-"
What indeed did she think of
e Why should she feel like the culpi
before these two. her words desc
p ing her? II was Gerty's look tn
o made her feel guilty, as though ;
had been spying. To meet them
gethel. here at midnight. why shou
not they feel ashamedT She had do
= nothing wrong. And Tom down 70
9 der fighting-and they make his
sence a cover for their rendezvous.
n I'm looking for SAM" The eff
~ behind the words turned them into
oratorical challenge.
$50 are we. 1 want to send h
10 home with Mrs. Hardin. She's We
n out"
ID "She can go homo with me. am
ing directly. As soon as l give m
~ sage to Sam She instantly regret
- her words, abruptly halting. 1t ca
TO her that Richard would insist VI
- delivering her message. OF course.
would oppose her sping. Some pc
~, reason or other. She knew from
- men that he was oppositional, that
liked To show his power. Not safe,
would say. or the horse was need
or sam TOO busy to wait on herl
"You cannot go home alone,
=. two. The town is full of strange
- dams. Give me your lantern, N
ne Hardin: III rout out that darby
ne RehelliouSly she gave him the
ou tern. The light turned full on
ne avertcd angry eyes.
ne A naughty Thusnelda followed i
nu Sam was discovered asleep in
as only room where the windows had
~ yet been attacked. His head rested
IN, a bundle of sacked trees which
e ladies of the Improvement club
W. ~ planned to plant the next day. d
- snores betrayed his refuge.
Here, sam. want you TO
1itt these ladies home. Chase your
They've been working while yo
vas slept. ] thought you'd have all Il
the windows out 10y now"
II Gcrty had TO supply the courtesy
TO two. She told Mr.. Richard in her
the pealng way that he had been
II Id. .