The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1919-05-15

1858 ~ ~ NOhhhtCs III
mes 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 m~artyrized herself.
Some n must be with Tom. 1t may
spoil my trip. But Gerry never thinks
Of that" She believed 1t to be a
simple matter Of clothes. 1t always
took her weeks to get ready to 60 any
where.
But / won't wait any longer than
next week. IL she does not go then, I
will. Absurd for US both to be here"
1t was already f~iercely hot.
Gerty. meanwhile. had been wonder
ing how she could suggest to her sis
t~er-in-law that her trip be taken first.
Without srousing suspicionsi Ter
ribly loud in her ears sounded her
thoughts those days.
Her husband flung q letter OF 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 IL Tom asked to see it7
II was addressed to her in her hus-
bands care Hardin had found IL at
the Office In his mail. And she going
each day to the postofice to prevent
IT from falling into his handsl She
gave it a quick ofrhand glance.
about tho 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 a fine show Of In
difference. HE sets a date for the
drive" She put the letter 'csrelessly
into her pocket before her husband
could stretch out his hand. 1t would
I'VE do for Jealous Tom to read that /:
"Your letter was received two weeks
ago. Pardon me for appearing to have
forgotten your kindness"
1.-The nerve" growled Tom again.
his mouth full of Gerty's omelette.
'"ro take you up OF an invitation like
that. 1 call that pretty raw"
"You must remember we are such
old friends" urged his wife. "He
knew I meant Ii seriously"
"Just the same, it's nerve grum-
bled Hardin, helping himself to more
Of the omelette, now a fiat ruin in tho
center Of the Canton platter. His re-
sentiment had taken on AN edge of
hatred since the episode of the dredge
machinery. "To write to anyone in
my housel He knows what / think Of
him; an Intellectual ass, that's what he
ia laundering around with his little
levees. and his fool work ON the wa
ter tower"
'The water towerT demanded his
sister. .What's he doing with thatY'
"Oh. I don't know" rejoined Tom
largely. his lips protrudlng. 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 aski Some Of
his fool tinkeringI
His sisters gaze rested on him with
concern. He had too little to do. She
guessed that his title. consulting en-
gineer. was a mocking one, that his
chief, at least. did not consult him.
Was II true. what she had heard. that
he had made a fiuke about the ma
chineryf He was looking seedy. He
had been letting his clothes 20. 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 go
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 him
dangie you all. ] wonder why you do
II, unless it's to hurt me-"
Hurt you. Tom" cried his wife. her
deep blue eyes wide with dismay.
"How can you say such q thingf But
IL It is given for him. how can I do
anything else than let him arrange
the day to suit himself1 II would be
funny for the guest OF honor not to
be present. wouldn't 1T"
y don't rec why you want to make
Linn . guest Of honor" he retreated.
covering his position
Gently. Gerry expressed her belief
that she was doing the best thing for
her husband In getting up . public af-
fair for his ces She did think
that Tom would $50 that Il showed
they had no feeling.
II think Il . ine idea. agreed In
mes heartily. I'm ure Tom will. too.
when he.thinks about It." But she did
not give him any chance to express
himself. .How are you going to man.
age It Gertyf You said Il was going
to b p~rogressiver'
"We shall draw for partners.- said
Mrs. Hardin. "And change every half
Z mile. Tho first lap win be two
miles: that viii give some excitement
In cutting for partners" Easy. being
the hostess. to withhold any slip she
pleased, easy to make Il seem acci-