White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1921-03-13

AsftN1s 90 P0SSSo Z "o-ott
ping divinely. Before her partner
turned his head, Innes recognized tn,
stiff back and straight poised head anc
dancing step of Richard. She admit
ted he had distinction, grudgingly. She
could not think of him except compare
lively; always alphabetically. balanced
against her Tom.
I'm tired; let's rest here" Innes
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 Richard, two other masculine u
pies. The Hardins we're the only wom-
en- aboard.
1t was because of Tom that InneS
felt resentment when the uplifted ap-
pealing chin. the lace ruffles fiuttered
by. Tom, lying outside an unfriendly
tent
1t was easy, In that uncertain light,
to avoid Richards glance of rec0gni-
ton. Estrada, who had come aboard
with the manager. sought her out. and
then Crothers of the o. =. Again, she
saw Richard dancing with the lingerie
gown. There seemed to be no attempt
to cover Gerty's preference; for RICK
ard. she was the only woman there!
Because she was Toms sister, h had
q 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 n glass of water, she met
Richard, 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.
"He'll not find me" she determined.
MacLean followed her gladly to the
dark corner of the deck where's Jose's
guitar was then s%yneopating an accom-
paniment to his amigos" voice.
To her surprise, Richard penetrated
her curtain of shadows.
"Our dance, Miss Hardin? Give Us
'Sobr' Las olas,' again, Jose"
The hand that barely touched his
urn was stiff with a~ntagonlsm. She
told herself that he had TO dance with
her-politeness. conyentionallty, de-
it. But. instantly. she forgot /
her resentment, and forgot their awk- :
ward relation. II was his dancing, not
then. that was superb" Any
,ody could find skill under the leader 4
ship of that irresistible step. And then
he motion claimed her. She thought
If nothing; they moved as one to the
liquid falling beat.
The music dropped them suddenly.
them ut the stern of the deck.
The silence was complete. Richard
,roke 1t to ask her what she thought OF
he camp.
Her resentments we're recalled. She
blundered through her impression OF
the lightness, the gayety.
"A work camp does not have to be
You'll find all the grimness
you want if you look beneath the sur
The guitars were tuning VI. "Shall
| take you back? | have this dance
with your sister"
She thought of Tom-On his lonely
cot outside his tent. She forgot that
she had been asked a question. lie
was dancing again with Gertyl II that
silly little woman had no scruples, no
fine feeling, this mar 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 glanees that evening! The
business relation between the two men
should suggest tact. if not decency, II
IA outrageous.
Richard stood waiting to be dis
missed; puzzled. Through the uncer-
tain light, her anger came to him. She
looked taller, older; there was n flame
of accusing passion in her eyes.
1t was his minute of revelation. SO
thah was what the camp thought! The
wife of Hardin-Hardln Why, he'd
been only polite to her-they were old
friends. What had he said,to call down
this sudden scorn? "Dancing--again-"
Had he been all kinds of an ass?
MY turn. Miss Innesi" demanded
MacLean, Jr.
"Oh, yes she cried, relief in her
tone.
Richard did not claim his dance
with Mrs. Hardin. He stood where
the girl had left him. thinking. A few
minutes later, Gerty swept by In the
arms of Breck. Later. came Innes
with Junior; the two. thinking them
selves unseen. romplng through a two
step like two young children. He was
never shown that side of her. Gay as
a 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.
CHAPTER XXI.
80