The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1919-02-28
@ @mEeoessMzeezL CoMespy


have been Hardin-he had not wanted
to stare at them.
That was not Hardin's face. 1t held
strength and power. The outline was
sharp and distinct, showing the stren&
lines, the determined mouth of the pic
ncer.' There was something else, some
thing which stood for diStinction-no,
it couldn't be Hardin.
And then, because an outthrust liz
changed the entire look of the man,
Richard asked his table companions.
who was the man with the two ladies.
near the door.
"That. suh," his neighbor from Ala
bama became Immediately oratorical.
"that is a big man, sub. If the I'M
perial valley ever becomes q reality,
fiXtuah, it will be because of that one
man, sub. Reclamation is like seed
thrown on rock. Will it stick? Will
it take root? Will it grow? That is
what we all want to know"
Rickard thought that he had wanted
to know something quite different, and
reminded the gentleman from Alabama
that he had not told him the name.
"The father of this valley, of the
reclamation Of this desert, Thomas
Hardin, suh."
Rickard tried to reset, without at
tracing their attention, the group OF
mis- impressions of the man whose per-
sonality had been so obnoxious to him
in the old Lawrence days. The Hardin
he had known had also large features,
but of the flaccid irritating order. He
summoned a picture Of Hardin as he
had shuf11ed into his own classroom, or
up to the long table where Gerty had
always queened it among her mothers
boarders. He could see the rough un-
polished boots that had always offend
ed him as betrayal of the mans in
ner coarseness; the badly fitting coat,
the long awkward arms, and the salts
fed, loud-speaking mouth. These fea-
lures were more definite. Gould time
bring these changes? Had he changed.
like that? Had they seen him? Would
Gerty, would Hardin remember him?
Wasn't it his place to make himself
known; wave the flag Of old friendship
over an awkward situation!
He found himself standing in front
Of their table, encountering first, the
eyes of Hardin's sister. There was no
surprise, no welcome there for him. He
felt at once the hostility Of the camp.
His face was uncomfortably warm.
Then the childish profile turned on him.
A look Of bewilderment, flushing into
greeting-the years had been kind to
Gerty Holmes!
'Do you remember me, Rickard?"
If Hardin recognized difficult situa-
tion, he did not betray it. 1t was q
man Rickard did not know who shook
MIN warmly by the hand, and said that
indeed he had not forgotten him.
"I've been expecting you. My wife,
Mr.. Rickard, and my sister,"
"Why, what are you thinking of,
Tom? To introduce Mr.. Rickard!. l
introduced you to each other, years
ago" Gertys cheeks were red. Her
bright eyes were darting from one to
the other. "You knew he was coming.
and did not tell me?"
"You were at the Improvement club
u.bop tho tolorror,, ANNA T,,t ~, Jppoc
Hardin, without looking at Rickard. No
trace of the Tucson cordiality in that
proud little face! No acknowledgment
that they had met at the Marshall'S!
''Oh, you telegraphed to us?" The
blond arch smile had not aged. 'That
was friendly and nice"
Rickard had not been Self-conscious
for many year. He did not know
what to say. He turned from her up
turned face to the others. Innes Har-
din was staring out Of the window.
over the heads Of several crowded
tables; Hardin was gazing at his plate.
Rickard decided that he would get out
Of this before Gerty discovered that it
was neither friendly nor NICE"
'If I had known that you were here
I would have insisted on your dining
with US, in our tent. For it's terrible,
here, isn't it?" She flashed at him the
look he remembered so vividly, the
childish coquettish appeal. "We dine
at home, till it becomes tireSome, and
then we come foraging for variety. But
you must come to us, say Thursday. Is
that right for you? We should love it.
Still those two averted faces. Rick
ard said Thursday, as he was bidden,
and got back to his table, wondering
why in thunder he had let Marshall per-
suade him to take this job.
Hardin waited a scant minute to pro-
test: "What possessed you to ask him
to dipner!"
"Why shouldn't I? He is an old
friend" Gerty caught a glance Of ap-
peal, from sister to brother. jealous?
she pouted charmingly at her lord.
Jealous, no!' bluffed Hardin.