New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1919-03-21

IL occurred to him that that might
have been Ilardin-he had not wanted
to stare at them.
That vas not IIardin's face. 1t held
strength and power. The outline was
sharp and distinct, showing the strong
lines, the determined mouth of the piO-
ncer. There was something else, some
thing which stood for dlstinctiOn-nO,
it couldn't be Hardin.
And then, because an Outthrust lip
changed the entire look Of the man,
Richard asked his table companions,
who vas the maj with the two ladies',
near the door.
"Thnt, subj" his neighbOr from Ala
bama became Immediately oratorical.
that is n big man, sub. If the I'm
perinl valley ever becomes a reality, a
tixtuah, it will be because Of that one
man, sub. Reclamation Is like a seed
thrown on II rock. Will it stick? Will
it take root? VIII it grow? That is
what we all want to know"
Richard thought that he had wanted
to know something quite different, and
reminded the gentleman from Alabama
that he had not told him the name.
"Thc father of this valley, of the
reclamation Of this desert, Thomas
Hardin, subj"
Richard tried to reset, without at
tracing their attention, the group of
his impressions of the man whose per-
Sonality had been sc obnoxious to him
in the old Lawrence days. The Hardin
he had known had also large features.
but of the tlaccid irritating order. He
summoned Il picture of Hardin as he
had Shutlled into his own classroom, or
up to the long table where Gerty had
always queened it among her mothers
boardcrs. He could see the rough I'M
polished boots that had always Offend
ed him as Il betrayal of the mans in
ner coarscness; the badly fitting coat,
The long awkward arms, and the salts
fled. loud-speaking mouth. These fea-
lures were more definite. Could time
bring these changes? Had he changed,
like that? Had they seen him? Would
Gerty, would Hardin remember him?
Wasn't it his place to make himself
known; wave the flag Of old friendship
owe an awkward situation?
lie found himself standing in front
of their table, %encountering first, the
eyes of Hardin's sister. There was no
surprise, 40 welcome there for him. He
felt ut once the hostility Of the camp.
His face was intentionally warm.
Then the childish profile turned on him.
4. look of bcwilderment, flushing into
~greeting-the years had been kind to
Gcrty Holmes.
"DO you remember me, Rickard?"
If Hardin recognized a difficult situa-
ton, he did not betray it. 1t was Il
man Richard did not know who shook
indeed he had not forgotten him.
"Tve been expecting you. My wife,
Mr.. Richard. and my sister,"
why, what are you thinking of,
Tom? To introduce Mr.. Richard! l
introduced you to each other, years
agO!" Gcrty's cheeks We're red. Her
bright eyes were darling from one to
the other. "YOu knew he was coming.
and did not tell me?"
you were mt the Improvement club
when the telegram came" put in Innes
Hardin. without looking at Richard. No
trace of the Tucson cordially in that
proud little face! No acknowledgment
that they had met at the M~arshall's!
"Oh, you telegraphed to us?" The
blend arch smile had not aged. THAT
was friendly and nice"
Richard had not been self-conscious
for many a year. He did not know
what to say. He turned from her up
turned face to the others. Innes Har-
din was staring out of the window, |
over the heads of several crowded
tables; Hardin was gazing at his plate.
Richard decided that he would get out
of this before Gerty discovered that 1t
was neither friendly nor nice"
"If | had known that you were here.
| would have insisted on your dining
with us, in our tent. For it's terrible,
here, isn't ity' She flashed at him the
look he remembered so wildly. the
childish %coquettish appeal. 1--WE dine
at home. till it becomes tiresome. and
then we come %foraging for variety. But
you must cOme to rs, say Thursday. Is
that right for you? We should love It,"
Still those two averted faces. Rick
ard said Thursday. as he was hidden,
and got back to his table, wondering
why in thunder he had let Marshall per-
Suade him to take this job.
Hardin waited a scant minute to pro-
test: "What possessed you to ask him
to dinnerY"
why shouldn't I? He is an old
friend" Gerry caught a glance Of ap-
peal, from sister to brother. "~JealOus7 Z"
she pouted charmingly at her lord.
jealous. no" bluffed Hardin.
He thought then that she knew, that
lines had told her. The Lawrence cpl
sode held no sting to him. Once, 1t
had enchanted him that he had carried
off the boarding house belle. whom even
that boOkman had found desirable!
A superior dude! He lad
had those grand airs. As II 1t
were not more to q mans credit to
struggle for his education. even If he
uoro older than his class mr. his teach |