The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-02-27
(GontnuedJ

f detect no regret.
 They passed a cot outside the tent. ''Who sleeps there?'
 "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, Gerty recovered her vivacity.
 That's MT. Richards office, that ramada. Isn't it 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 to see Gerty's dimples. The difference in the quality of his greetings smote Gerty like a blow. And she had never con sldered Toms sister attractive, as a possible rival. Yet, after handshalke, she saw that to MacLean, Jr, she did 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 her dIlIdCllFOy DOy lSIlly NOuGClildL OIGGI men would fail to see a 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 to enter tain Mrs. Hardin.
 ''It isn't a battle." Innes looked around the gay rectangle. Its playi" 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 'amigo's" throb- ping from 8 dark corner, made the it. fusion of peace convincing. This was no battle. It was easy to believe her self again at Mare island-the Delta cruiser.
 Later, Gerty passed her, two-step- ping divinely. Before her partner turned his head, Innes recognized tho stiff back and straight poised head and dancing step of Rickard. She admit ted he had distinction, grudgingly. She could not think of him except compara- lively; always antithetically, balanced against her Tom.
 I'm tired; let's rest here" Innes 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 Rickard, two other masculine cou- ples. The Hardins were the only wom- CD aboard.
 It was because of Tom that Innes fplt rpSprfTn6nf rr-DpT, hO pealing chin, the lace ruffles fluttered by. Tom, lying outside an unfriendly tent!
 It was easy, in that uncertain light, to avoid Richards glance of recogni- tion. Estrada, who had come aboard with the manager, sought her out, and then Brothers of the O. P. Again, she saw Rickard dancing with the lingerie gown. There seemed to be no attempt to cover Gerty's preference; for Rick ard, she was the only woman therel ! Because she was Toms sister, she had a 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 Rickard, on his way cat. She man. aged to avoid shaking hands with him. She wondered why she had consented to give him the next waltz.
 "Heu not find me-" she determined. MacLean followed her gladly to the guitar was then syncopating an accom- paniment to his "amigo's" voice.
 To her surprise, Rickard penetrated her curtain of shadows
 "Our dance, Miss Hardin7 Give us 'Sobr' Las Olas,' again, Jose"
 The hand that barely touched his arm was stiff with antagonism. She told herself that he had to dance with her-politeness, conventionality, de- manded it. But, instantly, she forgot her resentment, and forgot their awk- ward relation. It 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 at the stern of the deck. The silence was complete. Rickard DTOh6 lC 10 dsk ueE WQdJ Sle LuOuRlll Ol the camp.
 Her resentments were recalled. She blundered through her impression of the hghtness, the gayety.
 A work camp does not have to be solemn Youn find all the grimness you want if you look beneath the sur face"
 The guitars were tuning up. "Shall take you back2 I have this dance with your sister,"
 She thought of Tom-on his lonely cot outside his tent. She forgot that she had been asked O question. He was dancing again with Gerty! If that silly little woman had no scruples. no Ane feeling, this man should at least