The Pulaskian., 1919-05-09


 ard, she was the only woman there 1 Because she was Toms sister, she had 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 out She man. aged to avoid shaking hands with him. She wondered why she had consented to give him the next waltz
 Hell 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, Rickard penetrated her curtain of shadows.
 "Our dance, Miss Hardin? Give us 'Sobr' Las Olas,' again, Jose"
 The hand that barely touched his arm was stiff with antagonisn1- She told herself that he had to dance with her-politeness, conventionaIIty, de- manded 1t. 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. Rfckard broke 1t to ask her what she thought of the camp.
 Her resentments were recalled She blundered through her impression of the ltghtness, the gayety.
 "A work camp does not have to be solemn. You'll find all the grfmness you want if you look beneath the sur face"
 The guitars were tuning up. %Shall l take you back? 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 q question He
  silly little woman had no scrupIes. no fine feeling, this man should at least guard her. If he had been her lover, he should be careful; he must see that people were talking of them She had seen the glances that evening! The business relation between the two men should suggest tact, If not decency! 1t was outrageous.
 Rickard stood waiting to be dis missed; puzzled. Through the uncer- tain light, her anger came to him. She looked taller, older; there was q flame of accusing passion in her eyes
 It was his minute of revelation. So that was what the camp thoughts The wife of Hardin-Hardin! Why, he'd been only polite to her-they were old friends. What had he said to call down this sudden scorn? "Dancing-agaiR-" Had he been all kinds of an ass7
 My turn, Miss InnesT' demanded MacLean, Jr.
 "0h. yes," she cried. relief in her tone.
 Rickard did not claim his dance with Mrs. Hardin. He stood where the girl tad left him, thinking A few minutes later. Gerty swept by fin the arms of Breck. Later. came Innes with Junior; the two, thinking them selves unseen, romping through a two step like two young children. He was never shown that side of her. Gay as young kitten, chatting merrily with MacLean! Should her eyes discover him, she would be again the naughty young woman!
 He'd gone out of his way to be po- lite to the wife of Hardin. What did he care what they thought? He'd fin ish his job, and get out.
 A minute later, he was being rowed back to camp.