The Pulaskian., 1919-05-09

the bitter end, even if I bake. If is my duty" She would make her intention perfectly clear! "There ought to be at least one cozy place, one soft nook that suggests woman's presence. We nave tea here in the afternoon, some times. Mir. Riekard drops in." The last was a delicate stroke.
 Afternoon tea? At the Front? Is this modern warfare?" The girl draped her irony with smile.
 Gerty was stealing a pleased survey In the mirror through the rough door that opened into the division called her bedroom. The sunburned. uncon- 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.
 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 reoui- sitioned again. That's the name of the new dredge. It was christened three weeks ago, in champagne brought from Yuma"
 You said dine on the Delta. Do you mean they have meals there?"
 You should see it." cooed Gerty. "It's 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 white lingerie gown was spread.
 q live in them. It's so hot" shrugged Mrs. Hardin.
 "Tll look like your maid, Gertyl" In- nes' exclamation was rueful. q didn't bring anything but khakis. Oh, yes! 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.
 q thought as much.' Gerty shrugged an airy responsibility. Innes could detect no regret.
 They passed a cot outside the tent. "Who sleeps there?"
 'Tom." The eyes of the two women did not meet.
 Innes made no comment.
 "He finds the tent stuffy" Gerty's lips were prlm with reserve. They walked toward the river In silence. As they reached the encampment, Gerty recovered her vivacity.
 That's MT. 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 Gerty's dimples. The difference in the quality of his greetings smote Gerty like a blow. And she had never con- sidered Toms sister attractive, as a possible rival. Yet, after 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 charm!
 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.
 "It 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 ''amigo's" throb- ping from dark corner, made the il- fusion of peace convincing. This was no battle. It was easy to believe her self again at Mare island-the Delta cruiser.
 Later, Gerty passed her, two-step- ping divinely. Before her partner turned his head, 1nnes recognized the stiff back and straight poised head and dancing step of Rickard. She admit ted he had distinction, grudgingly. She could not think of him except compara- lively; always antithetically, balanced against her Tom.
 "Im tired; let's rest here" lnnes 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 Rickard, two other masculine cou- ples. The Hardins were the only wom- en aboard.
 It was because of Tom that lnnes felt resentment when the uplifted ap- pealing chin, the lace ruflles nuttereu by. Tom, lying outside an unfrlehuly