White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1921-01-16

1t occurred to him that that Nigh
have been Hardin-he had not wanted
TO stare at them.
That was not Hardin's face. 1t hello
strength and power. The outline was
sharp and distinct. showing the strong
lines. the determined mouth of the pio
neer. There was something else, some
thing which stood for distinction-no
it couldn't be Hardin.
And then, because ar outthrust liz
changed the entire look of the man,
! Richard asked his table companions,
who was the man with the two ladies,
near the door.
"That, sub" his nelghbor from Ala
bama became Immediately oratorical.
"that Is a big man. sub. II the I'M
perihl valley eve becomes a reality, a
! fixtuah, 1t will he because of that one
man, sub. Reclamation Is like a seed
thrown on a rock. viii 1t stickr VIII
it take root? Will it grow? That Is
what we all want to know
Richard thought that he had wanted
to know something quite different. and
reminded the gentleman from Alabama
that he had not told him the name.
.The father of this valley, of the
reclamation of this desert, Thomas
Hardin. suh."
Richard tried to reset. without at
tracing their attention, the group OF
mis- impressions Of the man whose per-
sonality had been so obnoxious TO him
in the old Lawrence days. The Hardin
he had known had also large features,
but of the laceid irritating order. He
summoned a picture Of Hardin as he
had shufied into his OWL classroom, or
up to the long table where Gerry had
always Queened 1t among her mothers
boarders. He could see the rough I'M
polished boots that had always Offend
ed him as a betrayal of the mans in
ner coarseness: the badly fitting coat,
the long awkward arms. and the salts
fled, loud-speaking mouth. These fea-
lures were more definite. Could tine
bring these changes? Had he changed,
like that? Had they seen him? Would
Gerry, would Hardin remember himf
Wasn't 1t his place to make himself
known wave the flag Of old friendship
over an awkward situation!
He found himself standing in front
OF their table, encountering first. the
eyes of Hardin's sister. There was no
surprise, no welcome there for him. He
felt Mt once the hostility Of the camp.
His face was uncomfortably warm.
the childish profile turned on him.
A look of bewilderment. flushing into
greeting-the years had been kind to
Gerry Holmes!
do you remember me, Rickardf'
If Hardin recognized a difficult situa-
ton. he did not betray ii. II was a
Richard did not know who shook
him warmly by the hand. and said that
indeed he had not forgotten him.
"rve been expecting you. Ny wife,
Mr.. Rickard. and my sister"
"why, what are You thinking OF,
Tom, To introduce Mr.. Richard! |
introduced you to each other. years
Gerty's cheeks were red. Her
eyes were darting from n to
the other. "You knew he was coming.
and did not tell meY'
"You were at the Improvement club
when the telegram came" put in Innes
Hardin. without looking at Richard. No
trace OF the Tucson cordiality in that
proud little facei No acknowledgment
that they had met ut the Marshall's,
"oh, you telegraphed to usf" The
blond arch smile had not aged. THAT
was friendly and nice"
Richard had not been self-conscious
for many Il year. He did not know
what to say. He turned from her up
turned face to the others. lines Har-
din was staring out Of the window.
over tho heads of several crowded
tables: Hardin was gazing at his plate.
Richard decided that he would get out
Of this before Gerry discovered that ii
was neither friendly nor nice"
III | had known that you were here,
l would have insisted on your dining
with US. In our tent. For It's terrible,
here. isn't itr' She flashed at him the
look be remembered so wildly, the
childish coquettish appeal. I'VE dine
at home, till Ii becomes tiresome. and
then we come foraging for variety. But
you must come TO us. say Thursday. IL
that right for your We should love It."
Still those two averted faces. Rick
ard said Thursday. as he was hidden.
and got back to his table. wondering
why In thunder he had let Marshall per-
suade him to take this Job.
Hardin waited o scant minste 10 pro,
test: what possessed you 10 aak him
to dinnerY
Why shouldn't n He b an old
friend" GeFty caught q glance Of ap-
peal. from sister to brother. jealousy
she pouted charmingly at her lord.
Jealous. no" biuffed Hardin.
He thought then that she knew, that
inpes had told her. The Lawrence epi.
sode held M sting to him. Once. u
had enchanted him that he had carried
on the clearinghouse belle. whom even
that bookman had found desirable
bookmanl A superior dudel He had
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