The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-03-10
CHAPTER xvIiI-continued.

lie paper in the Office. They decline to
show me their authority for an inspec-
ton of my accounts. Therefore l have
declined to make an Nofficial preSenta-
ton TO them Of agency affairs. There
is nothing to conceal from any in
quirer. You may hand every document
to these persOns-in my presence"
Vandervyn nonchalantly shrugged.
and went over to open the safe. One
of the commissioners remarked in an
officiOus tone: "Where is the issue
clerk? He ought to be present to ex-
plain his accounts
That's Charlie Redbear, gentle
mantle interpreter" explained Du-
pont. "He lit out with his sister, down
the creek TO his house, when we was
eating. Want me to send for him?
You'll need him to make your official
talk to the chiefs"
''You will do as we'll for that, jake -
Interposed Vandervyn. Besides, be-
Heve the commissioners will wish to
put OFF the powwOwing until tomor-
row. It's tiresome trip across from
the railroad. No doubt they will
glance through the agency papers,
and then go over to your house to
plan the opening of the mineral
lands"
The big, blear-eyed man who had
ridden in the front seat of the car, nod
ded and replied in an oily tone: IF
you assure us the accounts are cor
rect, Mr.. Vandervyn, think it is need
less trouble at this time to make fur
Their investigation"
''Still. Oughtn't we to" One of the
commissioners began a querulous OBJ
lection. But his fellows were rising
to leave the office, and he bent to the
will of the majority.
Hardy bowed them out with pune
tiiiOus courtesy. He was still working
when Marie's Indian boy brought word
that she wished him to come to din
ner without fail. He hesitated, but at
last sent back the reply that he would
be present.
Having in mind the cold and almost
insulting manner of the visitors, he cut
his arrival as close as possible. This
proved to be a tactful move. Though
the newcomers were all mellow with
whisky, a chilling silence followed the
entrance of the acting agent Even
Dupont turned his thick shoulder and
poured himself another drink without
a word of greeting.
Only Vandervyn raised his empty
glass to the last guest, and called
ironically: "Just in time, captain.
Here's to your quick progress along
the coarse of your career"
Hardy did not reply. He was bow
Ing TO Marie. who had that moment ap-
peared in the dining room doorway.
Dinner lis served. gentlemen" she
said. and she bowed in her most grande
dame manner. Captain Hardy, you
may take me in"
Vandervyn sprang up, angry-eyed.
Marie did not seem to perceive him.
She stepped in beside Hardy, and wait
ed with perfect cOmpOsure while the
other guests passed out after her ia
ther. Vanderyyns face was far from
pleasant as he followed the others. The
girl did not look at him. Hardy escort
ed her to the head of the table, and
she gave him the seat of honor. The
chairman of the commission was gra-
ciOusly assigned to the seat on her
left.
Hardy was deeply gratifed, but he
failed to realize the full meaning OF
his preferment as the most distin.
guished gentleman present. Wander.
vyn alone was fully aware of the mo-
tives that had prompted Marie to hon
or his rival He bent over his plate
his lip between his teeth. For time
!. he could neither eat nor talk. Their
he rallied and. for while, sat staring
into the bubbling amber of his cham
payne. his lips curved in an odd smile
At last a merry quip from Marie stir
red him to action. He rose and bowed
to her
'Lady-and gentlemen" he smiling
1y remarked, ''I have two very pleas
ant little announcements to make. 1
is my fond expectation that you vii
relish them quite as much as you have
relished this delicious little dinner"
He looked at Marie, smiled, and con
tinued:
my first announcement relates t,
our martial fellow-guest, the gallan
and distinguished Captain Floyd Har
dy. The privilege and pleasure ar
mine to inform the distinguished off
Ger that the war department has beel
pleased to relieve him of this irksom
detail to grant him permission imme
diately to join his regiment, which i
at Vancouver barracks, Washington
under orders to sail for Alaska
All eyes turned upon Hardy, Som
glinted with malice; others were colo
Marie's alone were sympathetic. Hard
glanced around the table with an in
perturbed look. and bowed to Wander
Yyn.
pray accept my acknowledges
Of the kindness with which you max
the announcement he said, and h
turned to smile gravely into Marie
troubled face. 81 could have aske
for tire to carry out our irrigatio
plans. But, doubtless. the bureau wi
find some one more competent tina
myself"
"Win you not demonstrate again
this unjust order?" she exclaimed.
You forget that / am soldier" |
replied. "Army life is a life of ser
Ice. You will now understand WI
most army women are army girls b
fore they are army wives