Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-04-30
CHAPTER XIV.
snudae.

Smudge.
From her tent, where she was writ
ing a letter that Jagged somehow, In
mes Hardin had seen Richard go to
her sisters tent. She did not need to
analyze the sickness of sight that
watched the dancing step acknowl-
edge its intention. 1t meant wretch
edness, for Tom. At time when he
most needed gentleness and sympathy
rasped as he was by his humiliations
and isappolntments-how could any
woman be so cruel? AS for Richard,
he was beneath contempt-if 1t were
true, Gerty's story. told in shrugs and
dashes. She had Tilted him for Tom;
and this his revenge? She had not
known that she had such feeling as
the thought reused in her. 1t proved
what the blood tie is, this tigerish
passion sweeping through her, as her
eyes watched that closed tent-it was
for love for Tom, pity for Tom. Sex
honor-why, Gerty did not know the
meaning of the words!
How long would 1t be before Tom
would see what every one else was
seeing? What would he do when he
knew? Hating Richard already, bitter
as he was
She was not so biased as he. She
could see why Marshall had had to re-
organize. Estrada had shown her /;
and MacLean. Her sense of justice
had done the rest. Richard had proved
his efficiency; the levee, the camp. the
military discipline all showed the gen
eral. Whether he were anything of
an engineer, time would tell that. 1t
was a long call he was making! Sup
pose Tom were to come back? She
must watch for him-make some ex-
cuse to pull him in If he should come
back before that other went Hate
full, such eavesdropping A prisoner
TO that mans gallivantingi
For an instant she did not recognize
the figure outside Gerty's tent. Her
fears saw Tom. She reached the
screen door in time to see Richard lift
his hat to disappearing furry of ruff
,
step swing him away.
From the levee that day, she had a
glimpse of the Mexican woman on her
knees by the river, rubbing clothes
against a smooth stone. A pile of
nght-wrung socks lay on the bank. In
mes stood and watched her.
Il must remember to speak of her
TO Gerty," she determined. "She prob
ably does not know that there is
washerwoman In camp"
1t was a week later before she re-
membered TO speak of the Mexican
woman "who could wash" The two
women were on their way to their
tents from the mess breakfast. Sonora
Maldonado was leaving MacLean's
tent with a large bundle of used
clothes under her arm.
"She washes for the men. I'm GO
ing to ask her to do my khakls for me-
Perhaps this woman would be willing
70 do all our laundryp
Gerty had been wondering what she
would say to Innes. The speech which
needed only an Introduction was
stirred into the open.
"You must not" her voice trembled
with anger, you must not ask that
woman. She is not to be spoken to"
The girl asked her bluntly what she
meant.
'You must not give her your washs
ing-must not speak TO her. I've not
mentioned It before. IL hoped II
would not be necessary. Tom told me
not to speak Of It."
TON told y not to speak of it.?
Not to speak fhat?"
''You must Llye observed-Mr. Rick
ardf"
The girls ear did not catch the
short pause. observed Mr.. Richard =
''The GOODNESS between US. scarce
~ speak TO him. / don't wish to speak
to him"
When had all this happened. lime,
demanded of herself? Had she been
asleep. throwing pity from outdated
dreams?
II won't countenance a common af-
fair Ike THAI" Her eyes, sparkling
with anger. suggested jealous wrath
to lines. who had her first hint Of the
story. She had learned never to take
the face value Of her sisters verbal
coin: it was only q symbol OF value
II stood for something else.
The yellow eyes we're on the dredge
bucket as it swung across the channel.
but they did not register. She was
angry. outraged; she did not know
with whom. With Gerry for telling her,