The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1919-08-16

Ihat wa, not Hardin's face 1t held
strength and power The outline was
sharp and distinct showing the strong
iihes, the determined mouth of the po-
neer. There was something else, some
thlng which stood for distinction-no,
it couldn't be Hardin.
| And then, because an outthrust lip
changed the entire look of the man,
Richard asked his table companions,
who was the man with the two ladies,
near the door.
THAT, subj" his neighbor from Ala
bama became Immediately oratorical.
that Is a big man. subj If the In
perial valley ever becomes a reality, a
fixtuah, it will be because Of that one
man, sub. Reclamation is like a seed
thrown on rock. VIII it stick? Will
it take root? VIII it grow? That is
what we all want to know"
| Richard thought that he had wanted
to know something quite different, and
reminded the gentleman from Alabama
that he had not told him the name.
''The father of this valley, of the
reclamation of this desert, Thomas
Hardin, suh."
| Richard tried to reset, without at
tracing their attention, the group of
| his impressions of the man whose per-
sonality had been SO obnoxious to him
| in the old Lawrence days. The Hardin
he had known had also large features,
but of the faced irritating order. He
summoned a picture of Hardin as he
had shuf1led into his own classroom, or
up to the long table where Gerty had
always queened it among her mothers
boarders. He could see the rough I'M
polished boots that had always offend
ed him as a betrayal of the mans in
ner coarseness; the badly fitting coat,
the long awkward arms and the salts
fed, loud-speaking mouth. These fea-
lures were more definite. Could tirke
bring these changes? Had he changed
like that? Had they seen him? Would
Gerty, would Hardin remember him
| Wasn't it his place to make himself
known; wave the flag of old friendship
over an awkward situation?
He found himself standing in front
of their table, encountering first, the
eyes of Hardin's sister. There was nc
surprise, no welcome there for him. He
felt at once the hostility of the camp
His face was uncomfortably warm
Then the childish profile turned on him
A look of bewilderment. flushing into
greeting--the years had been kind td
Gerty Holmes!
do you remember me, Rickard?"
If Hardin recognized difficult situa
ton, he did not betray it. 1t was d
man Richard did not know who shooE
MIN warmly by the hand, and said that
indeed he had not forgotten him.
"Ive been expecting you. My wife
Mr.. Richard. and my sister,"
"Why. what are you thinking of
Tom? TO introduce Mr.. Richard!
introduced you to each other, years
ago!" Gerty's cheeks were red. Hel
bright eyes were darling from one tt
the other. "You knew he was coming
and did not tell me?"
you were at the Improvement cluf
Hardin. without looking at Richard. M
trace of the Tucson cordially in tina
proud little face! No acknowledgment
that they had met at the Marshalls!
"Oh, you telegraphed to u.s." Tht
blend arch smile had not aged. "Tha
! was friendly and NICE
/, Richard had not been self-cOnsciou.
, for many year. He did not know
, what to say. He turned from her up
, turned face to the others. lnnes Hai
; din was staring out Of the window
, over the heads of several crowded
, tables; Hardin was gazing at his plate
Richard decided that he would get on
of this before Gerty discovered that |
was neither friendly nor nice"
, IF had known that you we're here
, would have insisted on your dinin;
, with us, in our tent. For it's terrible
here. isn't it?' She flashed at him TIL
Hook he remembered so wildly. tn
childish coquettish appeal. We dim
, at home, mi it becomes tiresome, an'
, then we come foraging for variety. Blu
: YOU must cOiHc " Us, say Ah"i'u"J' =
, that right for you? We should love it.
! Still those two averted faces. RICK
, ard said Thursday, as he was hidden
, and got back to his table, wonderin'
, why in thunder he had let Marshall per
shade him to take this job.
, Hardin waited a-scant minute 70 pro
: test: "yyhat possessed you to ask hin
: to dinner?"
I .Why shouldn't I? He is AIN oil
: friend" Gerty caught a glance of AZ
neal from sister TO brother. jealous?
: She pouted charmingly at her lord.
> "Jealous, mol" bluffed Hardin.
j He thought then that she knew. tina
Inres had told her. The Lawrence epi
2 sode held no sting to him. Once,
! had enchanted him that he had carries
: off the clearinghouse belle, whom evel
/, that bookman had found desirable
. booknan! A superior dude. He ha
!. always had those grand airs. As If
; were not more to mans credit t
struggle for his education even II b
, we're older than his class. or his teach
!. er, than to accept It of silver plates