The Ordway new era., 1917-08-17

VOt W80 w 0nDCU ~ VtICStvU lAx0
change In her expression.
Acquitted - honorably = on all
charges!" he murmured. "On all
charges! Honorable mention recon-
neutrality-suspicious. 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,
receives just compensation. l take
credit for having helped to bring this
about"
''You7" he exclaimed. "Of course,
though, If you really did not love
him"
''That does not follow. You must
know did love him. But to find that
I had for rival another breed girl
one not half so beautiful as II could
not endure the thought. You have
seen the proof that there Is good deal
of my mothers red grandfather in my
blood. No, had to give him up, and
have decided to marry another man."
"Another!" echoed Hardy.
'Will you not congratulate met"
she asked.
He rallied. T congratulate him.
After what has happened. feel conf
dent that you must have chosen some
one more worthy of you"
"He Isl" declared the girl, her glo-
rious eyes melting with tenderness.
He is far more worthy Of me than !
am of him!"
With an effort she recovered her cool
compOsure.
But now, before going, wish to
take this opportunity to discharge in
way the obligation that, as member
Of the tribe, owe to you for youl
services. I shall therefore return the
mine to you"
She held out a document. He
stepped back.
mo, Miss Dupont" he said. II can
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 1t any
longer. Let me add that it has not
pinched out, as you may have inferred
from what I said at the ball. 1t Is a
bonanza"
II regret that cannot accept it." he
replied. "a captains pay Is quite suf-
ticient for a-bachelor."
Marie gave him a mocking glance.
Really now, Captain Hardy, you do
not 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 1t is
true"
at is not" she contradicted. "When
we were abroad, Pere and l went to
Monte Carlo. 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
that time, you will accept 1t back from
me on your wedding day."
at is not fair for me to bet on a GER
tainty; but if you insist, I agree to the
wager" said Hardy.
"Then be prepared to take the mine
week from today" she bantered.
He tore his gaze away from the
lovely face whose gay smile appeared
so heartlessly mocking.
"You-cannot realize-how this"
She handed him another sealed en-
velope.
Here Is the order detailing you to
special service with the general staff
for the winter. You will then be re-
Quired to return to the reservation and
carry out all the plans recommended
by you for the civilizing of the tribe.
Your mare is in the same stable as the
thoroughbred that I have bought to
use as her riding mate"
The changed tone in the girls voice
compelled Hardy to look up. In her
radiant eyes he saw a look that could
not be mistaken. The smile that had
seemed so mocking was now tenderly
teasing.
"Marie-you-" he stammered. "Are
you certain it is-love-not passing
feeling Of pity?"
"Pity! For you?" she cried. dc
you think I could dare pity you?-a
man like you! I could not have been
so presumptuous even had those
treacherous conspirators succeeded in
crushing you. Do you think 1t was
pity that made me live a lie all this
tIme-that forced me to flout you and
accept his detestable attentions?"
Her voice sank to a note of deep
humility.
II know how very unworthy Of you
am. Yet hope am not SO un-
worthy as that first day at the coulee,
when I scorned you, and you, with
your skill and courage and moderation,
saved US without harming those whose