Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1919-05-30
Continued from Last Week.
CHAPTER XXI.
a Visit to MaIdonado.


Mrs. Hardin's descent on the office
that afternoon was successful, but not
satisfactory. She had found the man.
ager brief to curtneSS. She was given
no excuse to linger. She traced Rick
ards manner to the presence OF Mac
Lean. and snatched at her cue. She,
foo. could be businesslike and brief.
Her errand was of business; her man.
ner should recommend her!
Richard had seen her making
straight toward the ramada. 1t was
not the first time; her efforts to line
her nest had involved them all and
often. But today, he was in bad
humOr.
''For the Lords sake" he groaned
to MacLean as she approached.
MacLean's grin covered relief. He had
never heard Richard express himself
on the subject before. ''The dead-set
Hardin's wife was making at Casey"
was the choice gossip and speculation
of the young engineers on the Delta.
MacLean had bet up on the outcome.
He grinned more securely.
81 am not going to spare any more
carpenters" grOWled Richard. It was
an inauspicious day for Mrs. HRrdin's
visit. Things had gone wrong. Vex-
ations were piling up. A tilt with Har.
din that morning, q telegram from
Marshall; he was feeling sore. Des-
perately they needed labor. Wooster
had just reported, venOmOusly, It ap-
peared to Richards spleen, increasing
drunkenness among the Indians.
Gerty's ruffies swept in. Her dress,
the blue null with the lace medalllOns
accented the hue of her eyes, and
looked deliciously cool that glaring
desert day. Her parasOl, of pongee.
was lined with the same baby hue.
Her dainty fairness and childish af'
liability should have made an oasis IN
that strenuous day, but Richards dis
Indignation Of temper was too COM
plete. He rose stiffly to meet her, and
his manner demanded her errand.
She told it to him, plaintively. Her
eyes were appealing, infantile. Would
Richard mind in the least, he must be
perfectly frank and tell her if they
would be in the way at all, but while
this hot spell lasted, could they, the
three of them, eat in the mess tent
with the men?
Surely" Richard met it heartily.
She would find it rough, but il she
could stand it, yes, he thought it a
good idea.
And then there was nothing for her
to do but go. Her retreat was grace
full, without haste, dignified. She
smiled a farewell at MacLean, who
was watching the approach of Innes
Hardin and Estrada. Richard did not
see the abOrted entrance of Hardins
sister and the young Mexican. He
was itching to be at his work.
He let out a growl when Mrs. Har-
din was out of earShOt.
"Shucks !! What in Halifax do wom-
en- come to a place like this for?
There's Hardin-brings in two women
to cook for him, and now, please may
they all eat with the men?"
His secretary subdued a chuckle.
He was visualizing a procession of
boxes of choice Havanas-frOm Bode-
feldt, Hamlin and the rest of the
gang. He need not buy q smoke for
year.
Richard threw himself back in his
chair. ''Take this letter, MacLean. To
Marshall" Then his worry diverted
him. "Who in thunder is selling liquor
to my IndiansY
Hold on; that letter can wait. You
get the horses up, MacLean. and We'll