Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

' " 1 "di 1 " 1 . f River " * WHes the Colorado Bosntlt* Banks and Flooded the Imperial ! Valley f California J = i | y t i BOMAH AIKEN j aafeto-tfenfil Ctmtmr.) v SYNOPSIS. p. Richard. an engi* i Mar af the Overland Pacific, la called to Swsttoe of President Marshall In Tuc #6. Alia. "Caaey" Is an enigma to tha fMea force}; he wears "dude" clothes, ETL had resigned a chair of enrlneermgtm the Bast to go on he road as a CSsMr and his promotion had been specheater, while waiting for Marshall Rick* drfi reads a report on the ravages of the Mhrede, despite the efforts of Thomas hi ffs of the Desert Reclamation comisrr This Hardin bad b-ien a student iaitr Richard and had married Gerty Wanna, with whom Rlckard had fancied CHAPTER It?Marshall tells Rlckard Rhe Overland Pacific has rot to step In' if neve tha Imperial Valley and sends a to the break. Rlckard declines bev wsnaa ha doea not want to nupplant Har* ha but is won over. "Stop the river; Saim tha axnenaa." ears Marshall. CHAPTER III?Rlckard Journeys to Wtrioi, mm the Irrigated desert an? MM much about Hardin ?-nd his work. ' CHAPTER IV?At the hotel he meet* fir. and Mrs. Hardin and Innes Hardin, Martin's half sister. Dirapp Dinted In her w?tt*TTd and an Incorrigible coquette, Xat. Hardin sets her cap for her former Mm ?a dinner. CH^!Tr. V?rticaara visits tne com* tufa offices and takes control. He finds ras ewgtneera loyal to Har lin and hosPo to blm. Estrada, a Mexican, son of pa "Father of the Imperial Valley." tells Cm of the general situation. CHAPTER. VT?Rickard attends A parting of the directors an<l asserts his Hthortty. Hardin rages. Estrada tells pckard cf his foreboding that his work trill flriL "I can't see it flcished." CHAPTER VTT?Innes Is discovered In finr garden. She tries to cheer up Hardin, tW Is furious against Rick ird. CHAPTER VIII?A family luncheon of #s Hardlns which throws lljrht on them. , CHAPTER ?IX?Hardin discovers that ndcard Is planning a levee to protect fklBrtw and puts him dowi as incomplsnt Qsrty thinks her lord jealous. CHAPTER X?The Hardin dinner to { ttefcard discloses further tse family charM fsrlsMus Hardin Is surly and e"lky. | miiw La hardly polite. Gerty plat?s i< pcgraesivo ride" in Richard's honor. ' CHAPTER XI?Rlcksrd encounters the pMbsmKn&tlon of the comi an^'s engi- j oeera. He is stirred by the Indians' stately. mmmt that this Is the hundredth year of A cpDle when the Great Yellow Dragon, - Pa Colorado. grows restless. He makes aaatsas preparations, pushes work on Pa Cdcxlco levee and is ordered by fptkhall to "take a fighting chance" on r: VP ogmyroityn ui xiaiuui 9 y*-t yiujowii 1 i. gate to abut the break la the river. , CHAPTER XII?San Francisco la de dftsji d by earthquake and fire, and dredge AwcMaery. which Rlckard had ordered fkrtia to have shipped, is burned through Hardin's neglect. Rlckard secretly equlpa Hbe b% water tower aa a algnal station. > CHAPTER XIIT?Gerty Hardin decldea Hka? Rlckard still loves her and plans a wiwlgi that promises trouble. < CHAPTER XIV?The progressive ride Hi begun under adverse conditions?wind HsuZ Altat. with the guest of honor absent Tltoa MacLean. Rlekard's secretary. Hstavs word that tht river is raging and dsmry man is . wanted on the levee. CHAPTER XV?Hardin motors off with load of dynamite, leaving everything in yjfrjoton ob the levee. Innes through a Hbsdiy engineer, issues orders in hev bmCher's name, to save her brother's poti The levee and the signal tower save Cmieztco till Rlekard's return. CHAPTER XVI?Gerty Hardin begins Ha gat really Interested in Rlckard. The arted blows a gale and the levee is In ; Haagoi again. CHAPTER XVTI?Women as well as HMa work on the levee the second night. > mars finds Rlckard and Gerty together ' ?ad begins to suspect her sister-in-law. 1 Her brother's wrongbeadednesa and Rick- . ?rd*s evident efficiency only Berve to em- ' Hitter lanes against Rlckard. -CHAPTER XVIII?The river washes * away half of Mexicall. Calexico's Mexl-1 Asa twin city, but Calexico still stands. : CHAPTER XIX? A stormy public meet -, Sis held In whici representatives of ettlers. the Overland Pacific and Hsrluu clash. A telegram from Rlckard that the rtver has broken out (.gain saves A Mg row end forces united ac fon by all. CHAPTER XX?The scene t hlfts from Cikilfs to the construction camp at the Htoak' (n the river bank where Rlekard's Harra are cdnstructlng Han'ln's gat a taaes comes from Los Angelas to stay Hrt* Hardlns. Rlekard's revelation. ' CHAPTER XXI?Est re da gives Innes a atv viewpoint of her brother and Rickgrd. Gerty arranges for her family to HMHfc^the^EBees tent and the two Hardlns . CHiiTKK AAii?KicKara visits tne mm of Maidonado. a house of my81err. ! CHAPTER XXIIl-Gerty Hardin gets nlaslon from Rlckard to direct Line, ffce CUoch mass cook. Senora Maidonado BtiajTiJ her husband through jealousy. i CHAPTER XXlV-LIng says "Woman ! he mtky, Lin* go " Rlckard sides with Mae *nA makes a bitter enemy of Gerty i ' Hariri. Hardin finds Senora Maidonado JTlttekard's tent. CHAPTER XXV?Gerty hints to Innas dSagraceful relatione between Rlckard ; asd fhe Mexican woman. Innes is much ^Marked, but thinks It Is entirely be- i Ben 1*1 n Mtio hates scandal. CHAPTER XXVI?A time of great astir- i Hy and anxiety?will Hardin's rate stand? i warty tries to get her husband to report ' Oie scandal" to Marshall. Pie refuses csl dkwovers ha has loot his wife's love. CHAPTER XXVII-Rlckard escorts MMmo home from Marshall's private car; ttseif And the Mexican woman In his tent xB Sanaa goes on alone, furious with HJckard. the Maidonado woman has co is to tell Sfekard of her husband's mure erCHAPTER XX VIII?Innes Is frightened to the Maidonado murderer and runs to SJckJLrd A great light bursis upon them oCh. Qerty Hardin watches them. 'CHAPTER XXIX?Godfrey, th? world Honoris tenor, comes to visit Ibe camp. He and Gerty Hardin are mutually attracted. Gerty begins to see "a way out." chapter XXX?The HarJin . gate cues out CHAPTER XXXI?Spectacular strike of fee' fadian tribes on the work CHAPTER XXXII?Godfrey sings In *tSM moonlight with varying effects on val sfcKts people. L, CHAPTER XXXIII?The final battle wi& the Colorado. Why Estrada couldn't 4ae tiur fln'.sh. CHAPTER XXXIV?Godfrey and Gerty Hardin elope. CHAPTER JfXXV-Casey and Innea, anehers. The last .flood bad precipitated a temperamental storm. Men were suing for the possible vaiaes of their farms, Impossible values of . irops. Not alone the companies had been blanketed with the accusing papers, but against Mexico the white drifts had piled up. Mexico 1 No one knew better than Hardin how absurd It was to accuse the sister country of j responsibility. A pretty pickle they J were in! Where was it all going to : end? . In the lobby, Hardin ran up against Brandon, who was following a news 1 Through fhn vallev it W88 being rumored that subscriptions were to be ; asked for the completion of the work. ! If this were the intention, there would be a hot meeting. "You are going on the platform?" assumed the newspaper man. "No? [Then will you sit with me?" "If you will sit upstairs," scowled Hardin, "I don't want to be dragged onto the platform."' Down In the orchestra, Black from the Wistaria was haranguing a group of gesticulating ranchers. Phrases: climbed to the men on the balcony seats. "Keep their pledges. Promise . makers. Let them look at our crops 1" "If Marshall expects to coerce those men, I lose my guess. Then he's no Judge of men," cried Hardin. "Look at those faces." The floor was a sea of impassioned features. "Something's going to drop," echoed Brandon. j F'rom the wings, Babcock's Inquisitive glasses were seen to sweep the house. Hardin could catch the sum- . raons of an. excited forefinger'to the , group unseen. There was a minute i of delay. Then Babcock's nervous toddle carried him onto the stage. I. De la Vega followed Babcock. |, There was a hush of curiosity. The house did not know who he was. Be- , hind him, soldierly, stiff, stalked Mae-', Lean. Marshall's entrance released i the tongues. There was an Interval' , of confusion on the stage. Babcock, like a restless terrier, was snapping at the heels of the party. At last,1, they were all fussily seated. De la i j Vega was given the place of honor, j Marshall, Babcock put on his left , MacLean on the right. , Babcock raised his staccato gaveL ( A hush fell on the house. His words ( were clipped and sharp. ] "You have left your plowing to come | here. You are anxious to hear what i we have to say to you. You cannot < afford to be indifferent <.o It. You ac- , knowledge, by your presence, a dependence, a correlation which yc? ) would like to deny. Irrigation means j co-operation, suffering together, struggling together, succeeding together. , You prefer the old Individual way, each man for himself. I tell you it j' won't do. You belong in otner countries, the countries of old-fashioned rain. You wantito hear what we have to say to you, the company who saved the valley, the company you are suing. But you have also suits against Mexico. There is n gentleman here who has a message from Mexico about those suits. I have the honor, gentlemen, to introduce, Senor de la Vega." "Ladles," bowed the Mexican. "Gentlemen, Mr. Chairman. It is with an appreciation of the honor that I accepted for today the invitation of Mr. Marshall to speak before you, to speak to you; I must tell you first ray thought as I sat there and looked at you, the youth, the flower of the Amen lean people. A few years ago, we were calling this the great Colorado desert; now, the world calls it the hothouse of America. This theatei Is built over the bones of gold-seekers, who dared death In this dreaded desert to find what was buried 1c those mountains beyond. The man I say, who crossed this desert, took the hazard of death. It was a countrymen of mine who piloted, fifteen ycar.t ago, s little band of men, across the desert. Berhaps he camped on this very spot. It -is not impossible! It is here, perhaps, thnt he got his inspiration. He saw a wonderful ter- | ritory; he dreamed to quicken it with , the useless waters of the Colorado. , You will all agree thut it was Gulllermo Estrada who dreamed the dream ] that has come true; that it was , through him that some of your countrymen secnred their privilege to re- . claim this land. Later, when one of your J countrymen found he could not fulfill j his promise to you. the promise to deliver water to your ranches, he came ( to my nRtion and got permission to cul Into the river on our territory. Mosl gladly did Porflrio Diaz grant that 1 privilege. For thut, today, you ore , suing him. This, I am told, is your complaint." His abrupt pause betrayed a confused murmur of voices. De la Vega's 1 polite car tried to differentiate the phrases. There was a Jumble of sound. 1 De ia Vega looked inquiringly at Bab- 1 eock, who waved him on. "It has nothing to do with the history. hut I would like to soy in passing that so assured were your people of our frendly feeling toward you that they did not wait to receive permls- ' sion from Mexico to make the cut. Your people were in a hurry. Your crops were In danger. First the lack ' of water, then too tiiuch water damaged your valley. A few acres?" 1 A voice from the crowd cried out, ,:A few acres? Thousands of acres." Instantly others were on their feet. "Thousands of acres. Ruin." One man was shouting himself apoplectic. Fabcock's gavel sounded a sharp staccato on the table. "Thousands of acres." De In Vega was unruffled. "And more than that. The Ml i ley, it iiium o?* reiiioiwiereu. (loot* i not '(top at tlio lino. Mexican '. inds, tCj. have been scoured by the action, the result of the action of your irrigation company. It was a mutual,* he paused, and a quaint word came U his need. "A mutual bereavement. II did not occur to us to accuse jou oi our troubles. Tour damage suits pained and astonished us. But they gave uf also a suggestion." The rustling and the murmurs sud< denly ceased. A prescient hush wait* ed on De la Vega. "You have been advised to sue us. To sue us for giving you that concession) Therefore, th? only answer is for us to withdraw thai concession! You accuse us, for giving it to you. That concession is valuable. What else can we do? Before your damage suits were filed, we wera approached by others for the same privilege. If you do not withdraw your suits, my nation sends word to i*??w nni tnlro xrntPP from Juu JVI. UJI.J ? : the Colorado river through Mexican soil. You will not be without water probably long; I have 6ald that concession is valuable! Other arrange* znents will probably be made so that the valley will be given water. I would like to take your answer to my government." It was several seconds before the house got Its breath. The import of the diplomat's words was astounding. Bartpn got to his feet, yelling with his great bass 1 voice, "Betrayed!" His shrunken finger indicated a youth with "R. S." in black letters on bis collar. "The valley has been betrayed." In the balcony, the uproar was deafening. Around Hardin and Brandon words Tyere thudding like bullets. "Reclamation Service." "That's their game." "The concession 1" "They won't get it." "Betrayed. We are beA. 3 tt ITHJtJU. Downstairs, Babcock's gavel rapped onheard. Behind the excited figure wielding the stick, sat Marshall, his unreadable, sweet smile on his face. His eyes were on Babcock, who was vainly clamoring for order. "Program that meeting." Hollister was trying to make himself heard to Barton over two rows of seats, but his voice was like a child's on an ocean beach. Barton was surrounded by eager anxious men. The audience had split into circles, of haranguing centers. It was Impossible to get attention. Hardin could see Marshall pull Babcock by the tails of his coat Unwillingly, he c<>uld see Babcock allow the crowd five minutes by his consulted watch. Then again, the gavgl danced on the tabl4. Marshall was still smiling. Babcock's shrill voice split the" din. "Order." The ocean of voices swallowed him again. "We won't let them In," Grace was bellowing, "the valley won't Btand for It." "Take your medicine," thundered the big organ of Barton. "I warned fou, Imperial valley." * I "Betrayal," groaned the crowd. Down In the orchestra, Barton was holding a hurry-up meeting of the water companies. De la Vega had stepped back and was consulting with rod Marshall. Babcock pulled out his watch, hi? ?avel calling for attention. This time he was heard. De la Vega approached the footlights, a questioning look on his face. "We ask for a little time," began Barton. Instantly the house was on 1 Its feet. "Withdraw the suits. Give him your answer. Give him our an- j swer. We don't want the Service. The! ralley don't want the Service. Withdraw the suits." Barton's moon face looked trdubled. i'We can't answer for all the ranchers." "Yes, you can," screamed Grace, Jumping up and down like a bnboon. "If you don't, I'll answer for them. Don't you see, It's a trick? It's a [Tick. I see . the hand of the 0. P. In this." Friendly hands pulled him down into his scut. The audience was chanting. "Withdraw the snits. Take your medicine. ?Don't lose the concession.?Lord, the Service!?Give them the answer aow." Barton held up a withered hand, rhe undeveloped body was dignified by the splendid head. "Don't withdraw your concession. 1 think I can say that Mexico will not be sued." Again, the shout went up. "Answer like a man. Think ! Good Lord ! Say we withdraw the suits!" "We withdraw the claims against Mexico." Barton sat down to a sudden hush. The first blood hod been let. Once more Babcock's glasses swept the house. He rapped the table. "That's not all. We've got more to Bay to you. Gentlemen, Mr. Marshall." Marshall stepped forward to a silence which was a variety of tribute. He bowed. "I will be brief. Mr. raraaay nas asaeu me ro tana ms place here this afternoon. It's only fair. If It were not for ray Interference, he would not be Involved In this situation. I think you will grant that It Is Mr. Faraday's eompany which can save the valley?" "To sava Its own tracks!" yelled a voice from the balcony. Marshall sent a soft smile heavenward. "Incidentally. And its traffic. Why don't you say It? We don't deny that. The Overland Pacific's no altru-? 1st." There was a jeer which rose into a 1 chorus. "Altruist! Octopus. That's' what It is." Marshall's hund went up. "If you: want to henf me?" He waved away I Babeock's descending gavel. "I was torn it wouia cost two nunurca thousand dollars to close that break of yours. Do you wunt the actual figures? It has eaten already a million, and the work is not yet done. You know the history of the undertaking. The Desert Reclamation company was in slTu?t:?. Faraday promised bis help I oil the condition that the affairs of the Desert Reclamation company I xmr-f r - ' would be controlled by his company. He took the control. He Inherited? what? Not good will. Threats, damage suits! Do you think that snow slide of complaints Is going to encourage him to go on? This Is what I cams here to talk to you about You lynchers don't want to cut your own throats. Now, there's a good deal going on about which you are In the dark. Faraday's got a right to fed he's shouldered an old man of the sea. He's been trying to dislodge It He's appealed to the president Ever since we came Into this, the cry from Wash ' Do this the way we Ington has bee , u rtff ,nnr llbo ?" ??nl hands.'" A murmur of angry voices started somewhere, swelling toward the balcony. "We don't want the government?n began the rising voices. Marshall's voice rang out: "But the government wants?you I Unless you will help save your own homes, the government will have to, In time. It's got to. Up there at Laguna, have you seen It? There's nothing going on. They're watching us. That's a useless toy if our works are washed out. Faraday says this to you?" Not a sound In the stilled house. "Unless you withdraw your damage suits, he won't advance another damned cent.*' Sharply he sat down before the audience realized that his message was finished. The house had not found its voice, when Babcock's gavel was pounding again for attention. The question, he felt, had not been put to them completely. Perhaps, they did not gather the full Import of Mr. Marshall's message. Mr. MacLean would follow Mr. Marshall. , MncLean's superb figure rose from a trec-paneied background. "He should sing "Brown October Ale,'" suggested Brandon to Hardin humorously. ' Hardin's eyes were on MacLean. What did he know about it? What could he tell those men that they did not know? MacLean was a figurehead In the reorganized Irrigation company. Why hadn't they called on him, Hardin? He knew more about the involved history of the two companies than the whole bunch on the stage down yon-j der. He could have told them, he could have called on their Justice, their memory? - -1_1 fliacL.c'an was speuauig. "Mr. Marshall has likened the river, project to the old man of the sea. He has it on his back, while it is busily kicking him in the shins! "Mr. Marshall has given you Mr. Faraday's message. He has asked you to dismiss your damage suits. I4 ask you to do more than that. Putj your hands in your pockets! Come) out and help ns. You don't want the, government. I am told that 16 the sentiment of the valley. When you; called to them, they wouldn't help you; they wouldn't give you an adequate price. Congress will soon be adjourning. What is Mr. Farnday to say to Washington? Is he going to close that break? That depends on you. Withdraw your suits. Do more. [ Stop fighting against us. Fight with US?" The audience stirred ominously, angriiy. Before Mac Lean was done, a, voice screamed from the balcony, j "You can't quit. That's a threat. You're In too deep. You can't fool us.1 You've got to save yourself. You've got to go on. Tell Farnday to tell that to Washington." The uproar was released. Black, from the Wistaria, Jumped on his chair. "I am speaking for the valley. We can't help. You know it. We're strippod. We're mined. You think to threaten U9 with the government?If we wait for the government to dedde. the valley Is gone?and the railroad's money with It. I tell you, your'bluff won't go. We want justice. We are going to have justice." "Justice!" earue from the surging ranchers. "Fair play." yelled Black. "You can't trick us. We were not born yesterday. We have rights. The company brought us here. What did wo give our money for? Desert land? What good Is this land without water? We bought water. Give us back the money we've put in?that's what we're asking for. We won't be scared out of our rights." There was n growling accompaniment from tlio back rows, herding together. "Order," cried .Rabcock, thumping his gavel* "Let Mr. Rlack have the flooi." Rlack had not stopped. Wildly h?*< hands cut the air. His speech, tliou^i t high-pitched, had I prepared sound; t It worked toward a climax. He (are < individual instances of rain, "Grace,. Wlllard Grace, hla crop gone, hie place I cat In two. Holllster and Wtlaon of i the Palo Verde, the ranch a scream' ing horror. Scores of others." He would not mention hla own case; and then he Itemised hla misfortunes. Parrlsh, his place scoured beyond all future usefulness. What had they come Into the valley fort Who had urged them? There v^ere pledgee of the L R., water pledges. That was all those ruined men were pleading, the redemption of those pledges. Individual ruin, what did It mean?'A curtailing of luxuries, of personal indulgence. "I tell VAtl If fMAAttfl ? "* VVAfef AAA * /vu, uiruun iwu, uiruu, milk for the babies; or starvation," Black had touched the deep notn This was the answer. This was what thej wanted to say. "Ton ask ns to help yon, us, we who are taxed already to our breaking point Ton say your eomptny won't so any further. What does that help mean to you? Poverty? few thousands, a million to the O. P., a corporation, what does a loss/ mean to them? Poverty? I tell you,.;no. A / smaller dividend, maybe, to whom! Yes, to whom? To the men who live In Fifth avenue, whose wives are dragged about in limousines. Withdraw their suits? Help Faraday, and ruin men like Parrish? Men of the valley, what is your answer to Faraday?" The crowd was on Its feet, swaying and pushing. The air was fetid with breaths. Wilson's crowd had forgotten its lorgnettes. "No," yelled the ranch- J ers. "We say, no." |1 A boy made his way from the wings, | 1 a yellow enveloDe in his hand. I Babcock waved him on to Marshall..' The audience was crying itself hoarse. 3 Babcock lost cdntrol of the meeting ' in that minute of turning:. Holllster, 1 of the Palo Verde, was striving to be 1 heard; Babcock's hammer sounded in j vain. But Marshall's eye had caught ' a spark from the yellow sheet. He sprang forward, throwing the dispatch toward MacLean. His excitement caught the eye of the crowd.* "The ' river !" There was a sudden hush.! 4;The river's out again!" A groan | swept through the house, there was a ' break toward the doors. | Marshall's voice halted them. "Men of the valley." The audience, swayed again, listened. "Hear me. The river's running away again down yon&er. 1 This is a message from Rlckard. It's 1 broken through the levee. It's started J for the valley. Now, who's going to . stop it? Can you? Where's your, force, your equipment? Who can rush 1 , to that call but the company you are ^ hounding? I gave you Faraday's mes-, sage. His hand's on the table. Not f another cent from him unless you ^ withdraw those suits. You say you ^ have given me your answer, Black's j answer. Now the river plays a trick. It calls your bluff. Shall we stop the river, men of the valley? We can. 1 Will you withdraw your suits? You , cnn. What is your answer now, Imperial valley?" The scene broke Into bedlam. Men jumped to their-chairs, to the velvet rim of the boxes, all talking, screamit ? it .a rrw . TV -11 ? __ I mg, gesticulating at once, xne xeuow Dragon was never so fearfully visualized. Out of the chaos of men's voices came a woman's shriek, "For God's 1 sake, save our homes." It pitched the panic note. "Save the valley! Stop 1 the river!" ' Marshall's Indian eyes were reading ' thnt mass of scared faces as though It 1 were a sheet of typed paper. "Barton," he called through the din. "Where's 1 Barton r 1 Two men lifted Barton's puny fig- \ ure upon their shoulders. Ills vibrant ' voiee rolled above the shouting. "The 1 valley withdraws its suits against the 1 company." "Then the company," yelled Mar- ' shnll's orator}*, "the company withdraws the river from the valley!" 1 Pandemonium was loose. There were 1 cheers, and the sound of women sob- , bing. Btfrton was carried out on the shoulders of his henchmen. Black led a erowd out, haranguing to the street On the street, Marshall fell back to MacLcan. "That was a neat trick the j river threw In our hands." Ills voice , had dropped from oratory; the de-j , claiming Are was gone from the black ] eyes. "It's only a break in the levee, j RIckard soys he eon control it; esti-| motes two weeks or so. It may cost the O. P. n few thousand dollara, but it saved them half a million. Now, we'll have that game of poker, Mae-! Lean!" | In the balcony, Hardin was staring at Brandon. | "If that wasn't the devil's own luck I" | CHAPTER XX. | A Soft Nook. Iunes traveled, gleefully, In a <* ' boose, from Hamlin Junction to tho' Heading. She could not stay away a' day longer! Never before hod Los Angeles been a discipline. Why had It fretted her, made her restless, homesick? Then she had discovered the reason; history wus going on down yonder. Going on, without her. She i knew that that was what was pulling1 her; that only! The exodus of engineers hud started , rlverward in July. Gerty went with; * .V*?wlr? W sit ,1*1., ' T01I), nnu SOtr uuu uibuc ?. uiguuui; | j ciear that it was not necessary for In- , nes to follow tliem. Ridiculous for two ' j women to coddle a Torn Hardin! Unless Innes had a special Interest! ' ] Iler pride had kept her away. Rut ! Tom did not write; Gerty's letters wero i social ar.d unsatisfactory; the newspa-j i per reports inflamed her. The daiy be-1 < tore she had wired Tom that she waaj romlng. She had to be there at the todl Gerty welcomed heir stiffly. Anoab* Inf a conscientious hostess-ship, she caught Aire at her waning enthusiasm* . Gerty Welcomed Her Stiffly. *-! ' \ v?M Gerty looked yanngev and prettier. j| Ser flash accentuated her childish features which were smiling down her an- .J noyance over this uninvited visit. "We have all the home comfort* tiaven't we? Why shouldn't we be comfortable when we are to be here for v^jfi months? I'm going to brave it out?to the bitter end, even If I bake. It U my .\2fi iuty?" She would make h^r Intention perfectly clear I "There oughbto be at feast one cozy place, one soft nook s that suggests a womah's presence. We bave tea here In the afternoon, sometimes. Mr. Rlckard drops in." The last was a delicate stroke. "Aftorrnnn >??? At- th? Front? Is this modern warfare?" The girl draped ^ tier Irony with a smile. Oerly was stealing & pleased survey In the mirror through the rough door that opened Into the division called tier bedroom. The sunburned, unconscious profile of Innes was close tocher own. Pink and golden the head by the lark one. She looked younger even ' than Innes I Good humor returned te tier. I "We are going to dine on the Delta j&sfl tonight" She pinned up'a "scolding >$ lock/' an ugly misnomer for her sunny clinging curls! The mirror was requisitioned again. "That's'the name of the new dredge. It was christened three weeks ago, In champagne j brought from Yuma." j A "You said dine 01 the Delta. Do you mean they have meals there?" I "You should see It" ceoed Gerty. I It's simply elegant It's a floating hotel, has every convenience. The1 v? 5 :amp cook. Ling, has his liands fulL" j . fu^j "Going to wear that?" They were standing, now by the door of Gerty's Irosslng tent Over the bed a white ' lingerie gown was spread. *T live in them. It's so hot" shrugged J '.?*? Mrs. Hardin. > "I'll look like your maid, Gerty 1" Innes' exclamation was rueful. "I didn't M bring anything but khakis. Oh, yes! I remember throwing in, the last minuta, two piques to fill up space." "Why, we hove dances on the Delta, ' ind Sunday evening concerts. You $ inew the work at .Luguna dam la being held up? The government men of the t > Reclamation Service are down here all the time. But Iffe time to be gettinc 1 ready." ' I.ater, Tom flutly refused to accom- ajj pany them. "I thought as much." Gerty shrugged t an airy Irresponsibility. Innes could detect uo regret. They passed a cot outside the tent. /' . "Who sleeps there?" "Tom." The eyes of the two womea il<l not meet Innes mnde no comment. "He finds the tent stuffy." Gerty*e Hps were prim with reserve. They walked toward the river In silence. As they reuchcd the encampment Gerty recovered her vivacity. t "That's Mr. Rickard's office; that , rnmadu. Isn't It quaint? And thafs his tent; no, the other one. MacLean'a is next; there's Junior, now." f ' h * But his eyes were too full of Innes ta io? Gerty's dimples. The difference In the quality of his greetings smote Gmrtj like a blow. And she had never congldered Tom's sister attractive, aa a possible rival. Yet, after a handshake. she saw that to MacLean, Jr., she did not exist. J '$5 Gerty was deeply piqued. Until now, the field had been hers. She might perhaps have to change her opinion of Pom's sister. Boys, she had to eoncede, the younger men, might find her lttraotlve, boyishly congenial; older lien wouid fall to see a charm I The arrangement at table annoyed / [ierty. The boss. MacLean explained _ gaily, would not he there for dinner. lie might come in later. Two men he Reclamation Service tried to enhg^^B^BB Kiin "It isn't a battle." Innes in the fnv rectangle. The thought followed her where the silvering the deck, and lapped the tho^^Hfl|^^HB9 and his nei 10 easy "l:>;flHHHIH