The times-herald. [volume] (Burns, Harney County, Or.) 1896-1929, 1919-04-05


uma2lng. For wnen women come tc
marry, they make often queer choice
II occurred to hun TINT that might
have been Hardn--he had not wanted
TO stare at them.
That was not Hardln's face. II held
strength and power. The outline was
sharp and distinct, showing the strong
lines, the determined mouth OF the plo.
ncer. There was something else, some.
thing which stood for dis,lnction---no,
II couldn't he Hardin.
And then, because an outthrust llp
changed the entire look OF the man,
Rlckard asked his table companions.
who was the man with the two ladies',
! near the door.
THAT, suh" his nelehbor from Ala-
bnma became Immediately oratorical.
''thht IA big man, suh. II the I'm
perial valley ever becomes reality n
1 fixtuah, it VIII he because of that one
! man, sub, Reclamation Is like n seed
thrown on rock. VIII it stick? VIII
Y take root7 WIN II grow? That is
what we all want TO knew"
Rickard thought that he had wanted
to know something quite different, and
reminded tho 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
mis- impressions OF the man whose per-
sonality had been so obnoxious 10 him
In the old Lawrence days. The Hardin
he had known had also large features,
but Of the faced irritating order. He
summoned picture Of Hardin as he
had shulIled into his own classroom, or
up to the long table whore Gerty had
always quecned 1t among her mothers
boarders. He could see the rough un.
polished boots that had always offend
ed him as a betrayal of the mans In
ner coag gSeness; the badly fitting coat,
the long awkward arms, and the satis-
fed. loud-spenking mouth These fca-
lures were more definite. Could time
bring these chnngesp Had he changed,
like that? Had they seen him7 Would
Gerty, would Hardin remember him3
Wasn't II his place to make himself
known; wave the flag Of old friendship
over an awkward situationY
He found himself standing In front
of their table, encounterIng first, the
eyes Of HIardin's sister. There was no
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 bewllderment, flushing into
years had been kind to
Gcrty Holmes!
do you remember me, Rickard?"
II Hardin recognized difficult sltua.
tion. he did not betray II. II was
man Itickard did not know who shook |
MIN warmly by the hand. and said that
indeed he had not forgotten him.
"fve been expecting you. My wife.
Mr.. Rlckard, and my sister"
"Why, what are you thinking of,
Tom? To introduce Mr.. Rickard!
introduced you to each other, years
ago!" Gerty's cheeks were red. Her
bright eyes were darting from one 10
The other. "You knew he was coming,
and did not tell me?'
"YOu were at the Improvement club
when the telegram came" put In Innes
Hardin, without looking ut Rickard. No
race OF the Tucson cordiallty In that
proud little facet No Acknowledgement
IN hnI
"Oh, you telegraphed to us? The
'lond arch smile had not aged. "That
vas friendly and nice"
Rickard had not been self-consclous
or many year. He did not know
What to say. He turned from her up
urned face to the others. Innes Uar-
lin was staring out Of the window,
ver the heads OF several crowded
ablcs; Hardin WINS gazing at his plate.
sckard decided that he would get out
T this before Gerry discovered that IL
1as neither friendly nor nice"
III | had known that you were here,
would have Insisted on your dining ,
nth us, In our tent. For It's terrible,
ere, isn't it?' She flushed ut him the .
)ok he remembered so vivldly, the .
hildish coquettlsh appeal. I'VE dine
{ home, TIL II becomes tresome, and |
hen we come foraglng for variety. But
ou must come to us, say Thursday. Is :
nat right for you? We should love It," ;
Still those two averted faces. Rick 4
rd said Thursday, as he was bldGen, :
nd got back to his table, wondering ! =
hy In thunder he had LET Marshall per-
lade him to take this job. p
Hardin waited a scant minute to pro. \
'st: what possessed you TO ask him r
, dinner?" \
"Why shouldn't !? He Is an OLD o
lend" Gerty caught glance OF ap- q
eal, from sister TO brother "Jealous?" '
ne pouted charmingly al her lord. .
Jealous, nor bluffed Hardin. "
He thought then that she knew, that "
lDes had told her. The Lawrence epl. q
ode held no sting to him. Once, IL Il