Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-03-26
CHAPTER XXI.
A Visit to Ma,donadc.


Mrs. Iiardin's descent on the office
that afternoon was successful, but not
satisfactory. she had found the man
agcr 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,
too. could be huSinesSil,e and brief.
Her erraud WAS of business; her man
ncr should recommend her.
Richard had seen her making
straight toward the rumada. 1t was
not The first lime: her efforts 10 line
her nest had involved them all and
often. Eut today, he was in a bad
ulmOr.
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 dcad-set
nardn's wife was making at Casey
was the choice gossip ana speculation
of the young engineers on the Delta.
MacI.cun had bet up on the outcome.
He grinupd more securely.
Il am not going to spare any more
carpenters" growlcd Richard. 1t was
m mau-uitious day for Mrs. liardin's
visit. Things had gone wrong NcX-
ntionS We're piiins up. 4 tilt with lIar-
din thai morning, n telegram From
Marshall; he was feeling sore. Dcs
perately they needed labor. Wooster
had lust reported, Ycuomou-ly, il ap
pearcd TO richards spleen, increasing
drunkenness among the Indians.
Gerty'> rufllcs swept in. Her dress
the blue null with the lace medatlionS
accented the hue of her eyes. and
looked deliciouSly cool that gIaring
desert day. Her parasol, Of reHgee
was lined with the same baby hue
Her dainty fairness and childish af'
liability should have made an oasis il
that strenuous day, but Richards dis
integratOn of temper was too com
plete, He rose stiflly to meet her, and
his manner demanded her errand.
she told it to him, plaintiyely. Her
eyes We're appealing, infantile, Woult
il be too much to ask, would Mr.
Richard mind in the least. he must III
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, cut in the mess tent
with the men?
surely" Richard met it heartily
she would find it rough but If she
could stand it, yes, he thought il a
good idea.
And then there was nothing for her
to do but 90, Her retreat was grace
ful. without haste. diguified. She
smiled farewell at MncLean. who
was watching the approach Of lines
Hardin and Estrada Richard did not
see the aborted entrance of Ilardin'S
sister and the young Mexican. He
was itching 20 he 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 place like this for?
There's Hardiu--bringS in two women
to cook for him, and now, please may
they all eat with the men,
His secretary subdued Il chuckle.
lie was visuulizing procession Of
boxes Of choice IIavanas-from Bode-
feldt, Hanlin and the rest of the
gang. He need not buy Il smoke for
year.
iuckard threw himself hack in his
chair, Take this letter. MacLean. To
Marshall" Then his worry diverted
him, who in thunder is selling liquor
70 my lndansY
Hold on that letter can wait. You
get the horses up, MacLean, aad Wen
ride down to Maldonado's. It's his
place to stop this liquor business, not
mine"
A few hours later they We're ap-
preaching the adobe walls of Maldo-
nado, They found the gate locked. \
woman, whose beauty had faded into