Williams news., 1917-05-24
CHAPTER xxvI.
The Sentence.

d IcNOlNluS UOOhCdSS uSul LIN far end of the room, and paused Someone stepped into the room after kim, and touched him authoritativelJ on the shoulder.
 "One moment, Captain Hardy your sentence"
 He turned and faced the presidents aide with the clear, unf1inching gaze of a brave man about to be shot. The Ride saluted with punctilious formal ity. Hardy responded with equal for mality. The aide presented an official document, saluted, and withdrew from the room.
 For long moment Hardy stood with the decree of his fate slowly crumpling in his hand. His eyes were fixed on vacancy. Doubtless he was seeing the years of soldierly comradeship and duty that now lay in the past and the vision of the career to which he was to have given the utmost of his pow CTS. He had always loved his profes- sion-and now
 The woman whose skirt he had seen was in front of him before he became aware of her presence. He found him. self looking into the cool, half-mocking face of Marie.
 Are you afraid to read your sen- tence?" she taunted. Had it not been for you, he would have had the mine and a million from his contract and me. The president conferred with Sen ator Clemmer an hour ago. The treaty appropriation bill will be passed with q clause that no commission is to be paid for the services of any tribal agent or representative. He has lost everything. And nOw-I am waiting to see you read that paper"
 Hardy drew himself up, opened the envelope, took out the document and read.
 As Marie saw the look of blank in- credulity that came into his face, her eyes flashed under the lowering veil of their long lashes. He stared up at her, but was too dazed to perceive the change in her expression.
 Acquitted - honorably on all charges! !" he murmured. "On al! charges-I Honorable mention recom- mended-Approved- President"
 Marie smiled with cool condescen- sion.
 Merely a question of doing justice to you, Captain Hardy. When a man has done his duty, however harshly, it is the duty of others to see that he receives just compensation. 1 take credit for having helped to bring this about
 "You?" he exclaimed. "Of course, though, if you really did not love / him.
 That does not follow. You must know l did love him. But to find that l had for rival another breed girl one not half so beautiful as IT could not endure the thought. You have seen the proof that thcre is a good deal of my mothers red grandfather in my blood. No, had to give him up, and 1 have decided to marry another man."
 Another! !" echoed Hardy.
 Twill you not congratulate mel" she asked.
 He rallied. q congratulate him. After what has happened, I feel confi- dent that you must have chosen some one more worthy of you."
 He isr' declared the girl, her glo- rious eyes melting with tenderness. He is far more worthy of me than 1 am of him!''
 With an effort she recovered her cool composure.
 "But now, before going, I wish to take this opportunity to discharge in way the obligation that, as member of the tribe, I owe to you for your services. I shall therefore return the mine to you"
 She held out a document. He stepped back.
 ''No, Miss Dupont" he said. q cnn- not accept it."
 You must. I took 1t from you. Though I have used the income from it not altogether for personal gratifi- cation, you must realize that my pride will not permit me to keep it any. longer. Let me add that it has not pinched out. as you may have inferred from what l said at the ball. It is a bonanza"
 T regret that cannot accept 1t" he replied "A captains pay is quite suf- hcient for a-baclelor.e>
 Marie gave him mocking glance. Really now, Captain Hardy, you do nCt expect me to believe you will long remain unmarried?"
 He tried his best to conceal how her frivolity tortured him. You may not believe it, Miss Dupont. Yet it is true"
 "It is not" she cOntradlcted. When we were abroad. Pere and l went to Monte Carlo. I fancy the gambling spirit infected me. Let us settle the ownership of the mine with a wager. If you do not marry this year, agree to keep it. But if you marry within that time, you will accept it back from me on your wedding day"
 Tt is not fair for me to bet on a cer- tainty: but If yOu insist I agree in inc