Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1919-04-25


II wish she would be definite" In
nes' thoughts complained. She was
restless to make her own plans. 1t
had not yet occurred to her that Gerty
would stay in all summer. For she
never had so martyrized herself.
"Some one must be with Tom. It may
spoil my trip. But Gerry never thinks
Of that" She believed 1t to be
simple matter Of clothes. 1t always
took her weeks to get ready to 60 any
where.
But I won't wait any longer than
next week. II she does not 60 then, l
will. Absurd for us both to be here"
1t was already fercely hot.
Gerry. meanwhile, had been wonder
ing how she could suggest to her SIS
ter-in-law that her trip be taken hrst.
Without arousing suspicious! Ter
ribly loud in her ears sounded her
thoughts those days.
Her husband flung a letter on the
table one evening. "A letter to you
from-Casey."
She tried to make the fingers that
closed over the letter move casually.
She could feel them tremble. What
would she say II Tom asked to see lit
It was addressed to her in her hus-
bands care. Hardin had found 1t at
the Office in his mail. And she going
each day to the postofice to prevent
1t from falling into his handsl She
gave 1t a quick offhand glance.
"About the drive, Of course. Sup
per's getting cold. Look at that ONE
lette. Don't wait to wash up. 1t will
be like leather"
When she had finished her meal. she
read her letter with fine show OF In
difference. HE sets q date for the
drive" She put the letter carelessly
into her pocket before her husband
could stretch out his hand. 1t would
never do for Jealous Tom to read that:
"Your letter was received two weeks
ago. Pardon me for appearing to have
forgotten your kindness"
'sThe nerve" growled Tom again,
his mouth full of Gerty's omelette.
ITO take you up on an invitation like
that. I call that pretty raw"
"You must remember we are such
old friends" urged his wife. HE
knew I meant 1t seriously"
"Just the same, it's nerve" grum-
bled Hardin, helping himself to more
Of the omelette. now fiat ruin In the
center Of the Canton platter. His re-
sentiment had taken on an edge Of
hatred since the episode Of the dredge
machinery. ITO write to anyone In
my housei He knows what think Of
him; an Intellectual ass. that's what he
Is. Blundering around with his little
levees. and his fool work ON the wa
ter tower"
sThe water towerf demanded his
sister. "what's he doing with thatr'
'Oh. I don't know" rejoined Tom
largely. his lips protruding. He had
been itching to ask some one what
Richard was up to. Twice, he had
seen him 60 up. with MacLean and
Estrada. Once. there a large flare of
light. But he wouldn't ask! Some of
his fool tinkeringl
| His sisters gaze rested on him with
concern. He had too little to do. She
guessed that his title, consulting en-
gineer. was hooking one. that his
chief. at least, did not consult him.
Was 1t true, what she had heard, that
he had made a fluke about the ma.
chineryf He was looking seedy. He
had been letting his clothes 60. he
looked like a man who has lost grip
who has been shelved.
She knew he was sleeping badly.
Every morning now she found the
couch rumpled. Not much pretense OF
marital congeniality. Things were 60
ing badly. there
Everybody has accepted" Gerry
was saying. "They have been waiting
for me to set the date"
"And you cater to him. let hin
dangle you all. I wonder why you dc
1t, unless it's to hurt me-"
Hurt you. Tom." cried his wife, hel
deep blue eyes wide with dismay,
"How can you say such a thing? Blu
II 1t Is given for him, how can I d.
anything else than let him Arrange
the day to suit himself? 1t would b.
funny for the guest Of honor not t.
be present. wouldn't 1T"
II don't see why you want to max,
him a guest Of honor" he retreated
covering his position.
| Gently. Gerry expressed her belle
that she was doing the best thing TO
her husband In getting up a public af
fair for his successor. She did thinl
that Tom would see that 1t shOwet
they had no feeling.
II think It a fine idea." agreed In
mes heartily. I'm sure Tom will, toe
when he thinks about it." But she di,
!! not give him any chance to expires
himself. "How are you going to man
age 1t. Gerry? You said 1t was goin
: to be progressive"
; 1--WE shall draw for partners" sal,
Mrs. Hardin. "And change every hal
, a mile. The first lap win be tw,
, miles; that will give some excitenen
in cutting for partners" Easy, bein
the hostess, to withhold any slip sh
I pleased. easy to make 1t seem acc
T dentali
when Is this circus coming OF?
] inquired her husband.
, "Mr. Richard says he will be bac
I on the first; that he'll be free on tn