The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1919-05-02

scious profile of Innes was close TO her
own. Pink and golden the head by the
dark one She looked younger even
than Innesi Good humor returned to
her.
1--WE are going TO dine on the Delta
tonight" She pinned up "scolding
lock" an ugly misnomer for her sunny
clinging curls The mirror was requi-
sitioned again. That's the name of
the new dredge. 1t was christened
brought from Yuma"
you said dine on the Delta. Do you
mean they have meals there?"
You should see it," cooed Gerry.
Its simply elegant. It's floating
hotel. has every convenience. The
camp cook, Ling, has his hands full"
Going to wear that?" They were
standing now by the door of Gerty's
dressing tent. Over the bed a white
lingerie gown was spread.
II live In them. It's SO hot" shrugged
Mrs. Hardin.
"Pll look like your maid, Gertyl !" In
nes' exclamation was rueful. IL didn't
bring anything but khakis oh, yes 1
remember throwing in, the last minute.
two piques to fill up space
''Why, we have dances on the Delta,
and Sunday evening concerts. You
knew the work at Laguna dam is being
held up? The government men of the
Reclamation Service are down here all
the time. But it's time TO be getting
ready"
Later, Tom fatty refused to accom-
pany them.
az thought as much" Gerry shrugged
an airy responsibility. lines could
detect no regret.
They passed a cot outside the tent.
"Who sleeps there?"
tom" The eyes Of the two women
did not meet.
lines 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, Gerry
recovered her vivacity.
That's Mr.. 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 Gertys dimples. The difference in
the quality of his greetings smote Gerty
like blow. And she had never con-
sidered Toms sister attractive, as a
possible rival. Yet. after a handshake,
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
attractive. boyishly congenial; older
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.
at isn't a battle" Innes looked
around the gay rectangle. ITS play"
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 amigos" throb-
bling from dark corner, made the H.
fusion of peace convincing. This was
no battle. 1t was easy TO believe her
self again at Mare island-the Delta a
cruiser.
Later. Gerry passed her. two-step-
ping divinely. Before her partner
turned his head, Innes recognized the
stiff back and straight poised head and
dancing step of Richard. She admit
ted he had distinction, grudgingly. She
could not think of him except compara-
lively: always alphabetically, 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 Richard. two other masculine cou- /
pies. The Hardins were the only wom- |
en- aboard.
1t was because of Tom thai Innes |
felt resentment when the uplifted ap- |
pealing chin, the lace ruffies fluttered |
by. Tom, lying outside an unfriendly |
tentl
1t was easy. in that uncertain light, |
10 avoid R1ckard'S glance or rec0gnl- |
ton. Estrada, who had come aboard !
with the manager, sought her out, and |
then Crothers of the o. p. Again, she |
saw Richard dancing with the lingerie |
gown. There seemed TO be no attempt |
to cover Gerty's preference for Rick
ard, she was the only woman there
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.s to the |
for glass of water, she met
on his way out. She man.
aged to avoid shaking hands with him.
She wondered why she had consented
to give him the next waltz.
He'll not find me-" she determined.
MacLean followed her gladly to the
dark corner of the deck where's Jose's
guitar was then syncopating an accom-
paniment to his amigos" voice.
To her surprise. Richard penetrated
her curtain Of shadows.
"Our dance Miss Hardin7 Give uS