Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1919-05-23

/ bing from a dark corner, MADE the IL
fusion of peace convincing. This was
no battle. 1t was easy to believe her
self again at Mare island Delta q
| cruiser.
Later, Gerty passed her, two-step.
ping divinely. Before her partner
turned his head, Innes recognized the
stiff back and straight poised head and
dancing step of Richard. She admit
ted he had distinction, grudgingly. She
could not think of him except compare
lively; always alphabetically, balanced
against her Tom.
"Tm tired; let's rest here Times
| drew into the shadow of the great arm
| of the dredge. They watched the
| dancers as they passed, MacLean play
| ing the woman in "Pete's" arms, Gerty
with Richard, two other masculine cou'
| pies. The Hardins were the only Wonl-
en- aboard.
1t was because of Tom that Innes
| felt resentment when the uplifted APP
| nealing chin, the lace ruffles fluttered
| by. Tom, lying outside an unfriendly
| tent!
| 1t was easy, in that uncertain light,
| to avoid Richards glance of recogni-
ton. Estrada, who had come aboard
with the manager, sought her OUT, and
then Crothers of the O. P. Again, she
saw Richard dancing with the lingerie
| gown. There seemed to be no attempt
| to cover Gerty's preference; for Rick
ard, she was the only woman there!
| Because she was TOMS sister she had
right to resent it, to refuse to meet
his eye. Small wonder Tom did not
come to the Delta
| Going in with MacLean, Jr., to the
messrOom for glass of water, she met
| Richard, on his way out. She man.
aged to avoid shaking hands with him.
She wondered why she had consented
| to give him the next waltz.
| Hell not find me- she determined.
MacLean followed her gladly to the
| dark corner of the deck where's JOse's
| guitar was then syncopating an accom-
| paniment to his amigos" voice.
To her surprise, Richard penetrated
her curtain of shadows.
"Our dance, Miss Hardin? Give us
'Sobr' Las Olas,' again, JOSE"
| The hand that barely touched his
arm was stiff with antagOnisn. She
| told herself that he had to dance with
her-politeness, cOnventionality, de-
handed it. But, instantly, she forgot
her resentment, and forgot their awk-
ward relation. 1t was his dancing, not
Gerty's, then, that was superb" Any
body could find skill under the leader
ship of that irresistible step. And then
the motion claimed her. She thought
Of nothing; they moved as one to the
liquid falling beat.
The music dropped them suddenly,
solating them 1T the stern OF the deck.
| The silence was complete. Richard
broke it to ask her what she thought of
the camp.
Her resentments were recalled. She
blundered through her impression of
the lightness, the gayety.
"a work camp docs not have to be
solemn. You'll find all the grinness
you want if you look beneath the sur
! face"
The guitars were tuning up. "Shall
I take you back? I have this dance
with your sister"
She thought of Toln-on his lonely
/ cot outside his tent. She forgot that
| size had been asked q question. He
was dancing again with Gerty If that
| silly little woman had no scruples, no
/ fine feeling, this man should at least
| guard her. If he had been her lover,
he should be careful he must see that
people were talking of them. She had
seen the glances that evening! The
business relation between the two men
should suggest tact, if not decency! 1t
was outrageous.
Richard stood waiting to be dis
missed; puzzled. Through the uncer-
tain light, her anger came to him. She
looked taller, older; there was fame
of accusing passion in her eyes.
! 1T was his minute of revelation. So
that was what the camp thought! The
wife of Hardin-Hardin! Why, he'd
/ Deen only pOllIe 10 Her-lHey were oii
friends. What had he said to call down
| this sudden scorn? gain"
Had he been all kinds of an ass?
"NIy turn, Miss Innesr' demanded
MacLean, Jr.
ooh, yes" she cried, relief in her
tone.
Richard did not claim his dance
with Mrs. Hardin. He stood where
the girl had left him, thinking. A few
minutes later, Gerty swept by in the
arms of Brock Later, came Innes
with Junior the two, thinking them
selves unseen, romping through a two
step like two young children. He was
never shown that side Of her. Gay as
young kitten, chatting merrily with
MacLcan! Should her eyes discover
him, she would be again the naughty
young woman!
He'd gone out Of his way to be po-
lite to the wife of Hardin. What did
he care what they thought? He'd fin