The Ordway new era., 1917-07-06

Q Just price for their mineral lands.
Don't look 20 shocked. Miss Canada.
It's the regular way such things are
handled In all representative govern
ments-ours, the Canadian and Eng
lish parliaments, the German, the
French-all the same"
The girls eyes clouded. II do not
like to hear you speak in that cynical
tone"
"Oh, it's not because I don't be-
lieve In democratic government. In
despotic countries the regular proce-
dure would be for the officials to take
the bulk Of the appropriation. and
give the tribe the percentage-or
nothing"
II cannot believe that even your
government will permit its officials to
rob either the tribe or the people of
the country" declared Marie. "There
cannot be a majority Of dishonest con.
gressmen."
"No; the big majority are honest
fools. They are managed by means of
committees and the plea of party 10y
atty and log-rolling. But that's not
my fault, sweetheart. You know L"
Il know you've yet to receive per-
| mission to call me that l" broke in the
girl.
yandervyn bit his lip. "You forget
am going away"
"Back to Washington-and your
| fiancee"
"Quite true. And I'm going to stay
unless there is some inducement for
me to return here" he rejoined.
It was Marie's turn to bite her lip
"How can you say that, when you
know that THAT l."
IT told you how 1t was, and why
cannot break of with her until
He stepped nearer, his eyes aglow
with passionate allurement. "You
know I love you, only you. Marie
And you love me, sweetheart
Under the enticement Of his soft
eyes and pleading voice, all her re.
serve melted. Instead of eluding his
advance, she swayed forward, and per.
mitted him to take her in his arms
He crushed her to him, and showered
kisses on her lips and blushing cheeks
upon her dusky hair when, over.
come, she pressed her face against
his shoulder.
He quivered with the Joy Of mas
terry and possession. "You are mine
mine! Say It'll"
IL will marry you'll" she whis
pered.
Submissive and loving as was the
reply, it struck the ardent smile from
| Vnn nHn su Rnnn It1
laxed, and for a moment he stood
staring over the girls head, his LIZ
between his teeth.
T-love you" she murmured
quick to sense the change that had
come upon him.
At the candid confession his eyes
again glowed, and again he crushed
her to him.
you love me! You own I'll" hi
cried. "You are minel"
"No!"
With a sudden, violent thrust fol
which he was all unprepared, she
burst from his clasp and sprang clear
of him.
"What Is it," he muttered, staring
at her. half bewildered.
"Oh!" she cried. ut was the way
you Oh! how could your" She
put up her hands, like a child. to hide
the scarlet that famed in her cheeks
"Go. please gol You have made me
tell And L have promised to marry
you-when you come back"
IF do come back" qualified Van
dervyn in a flash Of chagrin.
Marie drew herself up to her full
height, the color ebbing from her face.
Her voice was as cold as her eyes.
'Do you wish to free me from my
promise1"
"Neverl" he burst out. "You'd give
yourself to- Hardy. He shan't have
you. You've promised-you said it,
mot now-not yet-not until you
come back to me, free from your
cousin. Leave me, I asked you to CO."
When he perceived the look in her
eyes, he picked up his hat and left
the house without attempting to argue.
She closed the door, and hastened
into her dainty little bedroom, to
sink on her knees before the crucifix
at the foot Of her bed.