The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1919-04-18

VG AAvS ~ NIG jill -
haven't we? Why shouldn't we be COM
Portable when we are to be here for
months? I'm going to brave 1t QUITO
the bitter end, ever if l bake. 1t is my
duty" She would make her intention
perfectly clear! "There ought to be at
least II cozy place. n soft nook
that suggests a woman's presence. We
have tea here in the afternoon. some
times. Mr.. Richard drops in" The
last was a delicate stroke.
Afternoon tea? At the Front? Is
this modern warfare?" The girl draped
her irony with a smile.
Gerty vas stealing a pleased survey
In the mirror through the rough door
that opened into the division called
her bedroom. The sunburned, uncon-
scious profile of Innes vas close to her
own. Pink and golden the head by the
dark one. She looked younger even
than lines! Good humor returned to
her.
I'VE are going to dine on the Delta
tonight" She pinned up a 'scolding
lock-" an ugly misnomer for her sunny
clinging curls! The mirror was requi-
sitiOned again. that's the name Of
the new dredge. 1t was christened
three weeks ago, in champagne
brought from Yuma"
you said dine on the Delta. Do You
mean they have meals there?"
You should see it," coOed Gerry.
TITS simply elegant. It's a floating
hotel. has every convenience. The
camp cook. Ling. has his hands full"
'Going to wear that?" They were
standing now by the door Of Gerty's
dressing tent. Over the bed q white
lingerie gown was spread.
II live In them. It's SO hot shrugged
Mrs. Hardin.
"Tll look like your maid, Gerty 7" In.
nes' exclamation was rueful. Il didn't
bring anything but khakis. Oh, yes!
remember throwing in, the last minute,
two piques to I'LL up space"
"Why, we have dances on the Delta,
and Sunday evening concerts. You
knew the work at Laguna dam is being
held up7 The government men of the
| 1NCNlOuId III tDSI ulC uOWA llCIC I'll
the time. But it's time to be getting
ready"
Later. Tom fatty refused to accom-.
pany them.
II thought as much" Gerty shrugged
m airy responsibility. Innes could
detect no regret.
They passed n rot outside the tent
"Who sleeps therc?"
'Tom." The eyes Of the two women
did not meet.
Innes made no comment.
HE finds the tent stuffy." Gerty's
lips were prim with reserve. They
walked toward the river In silence. AS
they reached the encampment, Gerry
recovered her vivacity.
That's Mr.. Richards office. thai
ramada. Isn't 1t quaint? And that's
his tent no, the other one. MacLean's
is next there's Junior. now"
But his eyes were too full Of Innes t.
see Gerty's dimples. The difference In
the quality OF his greetings smote Gerry
like q blow. And she had never con
sidered Toms sister attractive. as q
possible rival. Yet, after a handshake
she saw that to MacLean. Jr.. she die
not exist.
Gerty was deeply piqued. Until now
the field had been hers. She might per
haps have to change her opinion OF
Toms sister. Boys, she had to con
cede, the younger men. might find heI
attractive. boyishly congenial; Older
men would fail to zee 4 charmi
The arrangement at table annoyed
Gerty. The boss, MacLean explained
gaily, would not be there for dinner
He might come In later. Two men from
the Reclamation Service tried tOsenter.
tain HrA. Hardin.
1T isn't battle" Innes looked
around the gay rectangle. ITS play +
The thought followed her that eve.
ming. Outside, where the moonlight
was silvering the deck. and the quiet
river Tapped the sides Of the dredge
Jose's strings, and his amigos" throb.
hing from q dark corner, made the II,
lusion Of peace convincing. This wal
no battle. Il was easy to believe her.
self again at Mare island-the Delta I
cruiser.
Later. Oerty passed her. two-step.
ping divinely. before her partner
turned his head. Innes recognized the
stir back and straight poised head and
dancing step q Richard. She admit
ted be had distinction, grudgingly. She
could not think Of him except compare.
lively: always antithetically. balanced
asAinst her Ton.
I'm Tired: lets rest here" Innea
drew into the shadow Of the great arm
Of the dredss. They watched thu
dancers - thsy passed, MacLean play
Ing the woman n ~Pete's' arms, Geriy
With Richard. two other masculine con
plea. The Herdins were the only WON
n aboard.
Il 4 was hecause o. Tom that Innel
I. felt resentment when the uplifted ap
sipeAllng chin. ~ lace rumles autteret
Iby. Tom, lying outside m unfriendls
DItenfI
~ 0nn Ana~ A. that mmAaa<nem 1aUht