Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1919-05-23
CHAPTER XIV.


CHAPTER XIV.
Smudoe.
From her tent, where she was writ
ing a letter that Jagged somehow, In
mes Hardin had seen Richard 60 t,
her sisters tent. She did not need t
analyze the sickness of sight tina
watched the dancing step acknowl
edge its intention. 1t meant wretch
edness, for Tom. At a time when h,
most needed gentleness and sympath,
rasped as he was by his humiliation.
and Experimentation could AM
woman be so cruel? As for Richard
he was beneath contempNif it were
true. Gerty's story. told in shrugs ant
dashes. She had Tilted him for Tom
and this his revenge? She had moi
known that she had such feeling AZ
the thought reused in her. 1t proved
what the blood tie is, this tigerish
passion sweeping through her, as her
eyes watched that closed tent-it was
for love for Tom, pity for Tom. Sez
honor-why. Gerty did not know the
meaning Of the words!
How long would 1t be before Tom
would see what every one else was
seeing? What would he do when he
knew? Hating Richard already, bitter
as he was
She was not 50 biased as he. She
could see why Marshall had had to re-
organize. Estrada had shown her;
and MacLean. Her sense Of justice
had done the rest. Richard had proved
his efficiency; the levee, the camp. the
discipline all showed the gen.
eral. Whether he were anything Of
an engineer. time would tell that. It
was a long call he was making! Sup
pose Tom were to come back? She
must watch for him-make some ex-
cuse to pull him in If he should come
back before that other went Hate
full. such eavesdropping! A prisoner
to that mans gallivanting
For an instant she did not recognize
the figure outside Gerty's tent. Her
fears saw Tom. She reached the
screen door In time to see Richard lift
his hat to disappearing furry of ruff
fles. Angry eyes watched Richards
step swing him away.
From the levee that day, she had
glimpse of the Mexican woman on her
knees by the river, rubbing clothes
against smooth stone. A pile of
tight-wrung socks lay on the bank. In
mes stood and watched her.
81 must remember to speak of her
to Gerty," she determined. "She prob
ably does not know that there is a
in camp"
1t was a week later before she re-
membered TO speak of the Mexican
woman "who could wash" The two
were on their way to their
tents from the mess breakfast. Sonora
was leaving MacLean's
tent with a large bundle of used
clothes under her arm.
"She washes for the men. I'm go
ng to ask her to do my khakis for me.
Perhaps this woman would be willing
20 do all our laundry?"
Gerry had been wondering what she
would say to Innes. The speech which
needed only an introduction was
stirred into the open.
"You must not" her voice trembled
With anger. ''you must not ask that
She is not to be spoken to-"
The girl asked her bluntly what she
meant.
"You must not give her your wash
ng-must not speak to her. I've not
it before. IL hoped II
would not be necessary. Tom told me
Tot to speak Of it,"
"TOm told you not to speak of If?
Not to speak Of what?"
You must have observed-Mr. Rick.
lrd"
The girls ear did not catch the
hort pause. observed Mr.. Rickard?-
'The GOODNESS between us. l scarce
y speak to him. i don't wish to speak
o him."
When had all this happened. lime,
of herself? Had she been
sleep. throwing pity from outdated
lreams?
II won't countenance a common af-
air like that" Her eyes, sparkling
Nth anger, suggested jealous wrath
o Innes, who had her first hint of the
tory. She had learned never to take
he face value Of her sisters verbal
DIN; 1t was only a symbol of value |
stood for something else.
The yellow eyes were on the dredge
ucket as II swung across the channel, |
ut they did not register. She WAS
nsry. outraged; she did not know
nth whom. With Gerry for telling her. |