The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1917-02-14
CHAPTER XVI.
The EIahtlna Chance.

But Marie was up an hour earlier. and
sent her father over to make sure that
her lover came for the breakfast she
had prepared for him. While he ate,
she stocked his saddlebags for the
trip, and gave the pinto a good feed
IF oats.
He tried to see her alone, and
failed. She was too clever for him.
But when he went out to mount, she
permitted him a single parting kiss In
the presence of her father.
Dupont had saddled one Of his own
ponies to ride out" with the trav-
eler. AS they logged down the road
In the dim starlight, he bit of a
"chaw'' of plug tobacco, squinted at
the vague form of his companion, and
chuckled.
whats the joker" irritably queried
Vandervyn.
faint no joke. Mr.. Van. Just the
same, 1t tickles me to know you and
Marie has agreed to hitch up"
"Nho said anything about an agree
mentT" snapped the young man.
Now, now, keep on your shirt !"
soothed Dupont. Marie wouldn't
never have let you kiss her If she
didn't intend to take you
vandervyn suddenly changed his
tone: I'm glad 10 hear you say 1t.
jake. You see, she does not alto
gcther like the idea Of keeping quiet
about our engagement-Ou betrothal,
you would say in Canada. But If
Hardy should hear of il, he probably
would notify my uncle. Then goodby
mine and ALL"
"Uum 20 grunted Dupont.
Mine and all :" repeated Wander
vyn. 1--WE told you why. I'll fix 1t
so wen get the mine and maybe some
thing else-and I'll fix Hardyln
Didn't know you was still so down
on him. Wasn't it all smoothed over7
You been acting that way"
wait and see me rub his fur the
other wayl I'll put over a game on
him that" Vandervyn checked the
disclosure, and began asking ques-
lions about the traits Of the five
chiefs chosen as tribal delegates.
Half an hour after sunrise Dupont
came Jogging back home his heavy
face set in a satisfied grin. The com
placency Of his look lessened when he
entered. and saw the Indian boy re-
moving the evidences Of someone's
solitary meal. He Knocked at his
daughters door After quite a delay
she called 10 him that he might enter.
He found her seated at the foot of the
Ded, with a little ieaner-Dound DooK
in her lap. Though her eyellds were
swollen, she met him with her usual
look of quiet self-possession.
"You let Cap eat alone" he re-
marked. Don't call that being hos
pit'le. do your"
IF he had been more considerate.
Reggie could have remained until the
delegation !eaves' coldly replied the
girl.
well, we got to keep in with him
till Mr. Van gifts things fixed. You see,
If he gifts mad and reports on US to
Washington, Wen git kicked on the
reservation and barred from any
chance of the mine"
Did Reggie say that?"
yep. It's why. he says, he Leaves
It to you to keep quiet about the en-
gagement. II you let on about it to
Hardy, he's likely TO git jealous and
put senator Clemmer next. That
would queer the whole deal at this
stage Of the game.
Il do not believe that Captain Hardy
would do such thing" declared the
girl.
"AH right. Mr.. Van leaves it TO
you TO tell him, If you want to. 1
ulnt saying Cap mayn't be a straight
laced In everything else. But when
1t comes to being dead gone on > -
ike you. and at his age, too-needn't
tell me he won't do his level best to
put Mr.. Van out Of the running any
way he can"
The girl sprang up, her eyes afire
With a flare Of unreasoning anger.
He shall mott" she cried. Reggie
is coming back
He won't have no chance to II it
leaks out about you and him going to
git married"
"MarriedI' The angry scarlet of
the girls cheeks deepened to rose.
Notes Of indignation and 10Y 49,. -