The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1919-04-11


nes' thoughts complained. She was
restless TO make her own plans. 1t
had not yet occurred to her that Gerry
would stay in all summer. For she
never had so martyrized herself.
"Some one must be with Tom. 1t may
spoil my trip. But Gerty never thinks
of that She believed it TO be a
simple matter of clothes. 1t always
took her weeks to get ready to go any
where.
But l won't wait any longer than
next week. If she does not go then. l
will. Absurd for us both to be here"
1t was already fiercely hot.
Gerty, meanwhile, had been wonder
ing how she could suggest TO her sis
ter-in-law that. her trip be taken first
Without arodsing suspicious! Ter
ribly loud in her ears sounded her
thoughts those days.
Her husband flung a letter on 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 if Tom asked TO see it?
1t was addressed to her in her hus-
bands care. Hardin had found it at
the office in his mail. And she going
each day to the pOstoffice to prevent
it from falling into his hands She
gave it a quick offhand glance.
about the drive, of course, Sup
per's getting cold. Look at that ONE
tn r.
be like leather"
When she had finished her meal, she
read her letter with fine show. of in
difference. "He sets a date for the
drive" She put the letter carelessly
into her pocket before her husband
could stretch out his hand. 1t would
never do for jealous Tom to read that:
"Your letter was received two weeks
ago. Pardon me for appearing to have
forgotten your Kindness"
The nerve" growled Tom again.
his mouth full of Gerty's omelette-
"To take you up on an invitation like
that. / call that pretty raw
You must remember we are such
old friends" urged his wife. HE
knew l meant it seriously"
"Just the same, it's nerve" grum-
bled Hardin, helping himself to more
of the omelette, now fiat ruin in the
center of the Canton platter. His re-
sentiment had taken on an edge of
hatred since the episode of the dredge
machinery. ITO write tc anyone in
my housel He knows what / think of
him; an ineffectuah bass, that's what he
is. laundering around with his little
levees. and his fool work on the wa
ter tower"
1.-THE water tower" demanded his
sister. whats he doing with that?"
"Oh. / don't know" rejoined Tom
largely, his lips protruding. He had
been itching to ask some one what
Richard was up to. Twice, he had
seen him go up, with MacLean and
Estrada. Once, there a large flare of
light. But he wouldn't ask Some of
his fool tinkeringl
His sisters gaze rested on him with
concern. He had too little to do. She
guessed that his title consulting en-
gineer. was a hooking one, that his
chief, at least, did not consult him.
Was it true, what she had heard, that
he had made a fluke about the ma
chinery? He was looking seedy. He
had been letting his clothes go. 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 10 set the date"
And you cater to him. let him
dangle you all l wonder why you do
it, unless it's to hurt me-"
Hurt you, Tom" cried his wife. her
deep blue eyes wide with dismay.
How can you say such thing? But
If it is given for him, how can l do
anything else than let him arrange
the day to suit himself? 1t would be
funny for the guest of honor not to-,
De present, wouldn't it?"
81 don't see why you want to make
him guest of honor" he retreated, |
covering his position.
hat she was doing the best thing for
her husband in getting up public af- |
fair for his successor. She did think |
hat Tom would see that 1t showed |
hey had no feeling.
II think 1t a fine idea" agreed IN |
hes heartily. I'm sure Tom will. too, |
when he thinks about it." But she did
lot give him any chance TO express |
himself. How are you going to man |
lge 1t. Gerty? You said 1t was going |
% be progressive?"
1--WE shall draw for partners" said /
Mrs. Hardin. "And change every half t
a mile. The first lap will be two /
niles; that will give some excitement I
IN cutting for partners" Easy, being /
the hostess. TO withhold any slip she /
pleased, easy TO make it seem acct
leptalI
when is this circus coming Off"
inquired her husband.
Mr.. Richard says he viii be back |
On the first; that he'll be free on the |
For half an hour, I'll listen to Mrs. |
Youngberg tell me how hard it is TO |
have to do without servants, as she's