The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1919-10-18
CHAPTER xxx.
n Glimpse of Freedom.


myra had run out to ruScou. Marshall
had gone without apprehension They
did not expect now to have ScthnckS
70 have 10 extend tie time set for the
ultimate diversion. The days Were
flowing Ike oil, The cncampmcnt was
Milling up with visitors, newspaper mcn
who came TO report the spectacular
capture Of the river.
Richards day badly begun, piled III
with vexntlons, By shutdown. he was
wet to the skin, and mad rs n sick Ari-
IONA cat.
In this jaundccd juncture, Mac
Lean. Jr.. brought down his dispatches
to the river. He rcnd Of the burning
of II traInlond Of railroad ties. Richard
swore
Anything else PLEASANT"
"a letter from the govcrnor-fron
dad MacLcan read that his father
begged n small favor of Richard.
Godfrey, the celebrated English
tenor, Is on my hands. His doctors
have been advising outdoor occupa.
tion. | am sending him to you. ask
Ing you to give him any Job you may
have. He Is willing to do anything
Put him ut something to keep him oc-
cupied."
MacLean saw Richards face turn
red. Suffering cntsl A WORKOUT
opera singer! Whit sort of m opera
does he think we're giving down here
Why doesn't he send me II fur coat. or
n pair OF girl twins? Give the tenor
n rolel Anything clse2 Pile 1t all
on"
'Oh. and one from Godfrey himself
He's In Los Angeles. He says he'll be
here tomorrow" He did not wait for
his chiefs reply.
At the supper table Richard, dry
and In restored humor, alluded to the
invasion of high notes. pity the parts
are all assigned The only vacancy
Is In the kitchen. / wonder how he
would like to be undcrstudy to Ling y
The next day when the incident had
been forgotten, and while Richard was
uB III tut SloSHiiib WI 'i' ''h' i't'
gate, Godfrey blew into camp. lie
was like n boy out on lark. His
brown eyes were dancing over the adj
venture. He explored the camp and
came back buhbing.
ITS the biggest | ever saw. But say
Junior, that's what they call you
isn't It.? I'm the only idle man here
Can't you give me something to dol
I'll do anything. I'd like the boss to
find me busy when he comes In"
MacLean softened the offer. Perhaps
until Mr.. Godfrey learned the ropes he
could be of general use. They were
short handed the present moment
there was another hesitatlon-in the
kitchen Ling. the Chinese cook, was
overcrowded-so many visitors
Great" crowed Godfrey, Shaping
him on the shoulder. 81 don't want to
feel In the way. l want to earn my
board Lead me to the cook"
That evening. the dinner was helped
on its way by the best-paid singer Of
IbuSldilu. III tBi'iis poii'Ntu VI
Ling, he was "havIng the time OF his
life" Ling, pretending to scoId, had
been won Immediately. Richard, hear
Ing of the jolly advent. forgot his vex-
alton, and Immediately on his return
made his way to the mesquit Enclosure
to greet the friend of George Mac
Lean.
After dinner, MacLean carried off
his prize to the Delta, where Godfrey
earned his welcome. Gerty Hardin for
got to flirt with the engineers; she
had discovered new sensation. The
wonderful voice twisted her heart
strings; It told her that the heart that
has truly loved never forgets. and she
knew that she could never have really
loved, yet, because the youth in her
veins was whispering to her that she
could still forget. Godfrey saw mo-
bile plaintive face turned up to the
gibbous moon; he swept 1t with thrills
and fiushes. She was n wonderful au-
dience; she was also his orchestra, the
woman with the plaintive eyes. He
played on her expressions as though
she were harp.
Later, he was presented to Mrs.
Hardin. She told him that the camp
would no longer be dull; that she had
tea every afternoon in her ramada.
She convicted him archly Of British
hood. "She knew he must have his
tear
"You American women are the won
ders Of the world Nothing daunts you.
In the desert. and you give afternoon
teas. I'll be there every day"
He gave her open admiration; she
looked young and wistful In her soft
flowing mulls, the moonlight helping
her. She fell into a delicious furry OF
nerves and excitement. Later, she
wandered with him from rude gaping
world into a heaven Of silvered decks
and cleaning waters. He told her of
himself. of his loneliness; his music
had dropped him to self-pity.
Gerry Hardin heard her bars drop
behind her. She snatched her first
glimpse Of freedom.
cnAprER xxx