Meade County news., 1917-05-10
CHAPTER xxIV-contlnued.

the delicious shock given him by her
dazzling beauty. But he quickly re-
covered his self-possession when he
saw that she was with Vandervyn.
That young man, though more boyish-
ly handsome than ever, bore himself
with rather a sullen air. He met Har-
dy's clear gaze with forced smile.
The smile became still more forced
when the girl transferred her hand
from his arm to Hardy's.
"Only a very few minutes" she
soothed the disappointed lover.
"Whatever you sayl" he deferred to
her caprice, and he drew back to speak
to a sharp-eyed man near the presi-
dent.
Hardy was gazing into the wonder
full blue-black eyes Of his companion.
They were as inscrutable as when he
had last looked into their depths. He
tried to speak calmly. but his voice
shook.
do you know that youeare by far
the most beautiful woman herep
Her long lashes dropped and rose
again to disclose the same inscrutable
look.
$50 have Deen told several times
already--I wished q few moments
with you, that might thank you for
your generosity. 1t has given me the
great opportunity of my trip abroad
and this visit in Washington"
II am saving all the reports. Of your
social triumphs,"" he said. "They have
made me very happy"
Again the girls lashes dropped.
"That is good of you. 1t Is quite nec-
essary for me to become the rage-lf
/ am to force recognition from Reg
gie's relatives. He says that, fortu-
nately, his fiancee has become interest
ed in another man who is quite as ELI
gible as himself"
Hardy's eyes contracted, yet he did
not falter:
"Since it will bring you happiness, 1
wish him-good fortune"
"You do" The question was al
most an exclamation. But the girl at
once regained her quiet composure.
II do not understand. If you wish him
good fortune, why then do you seek
to prevent him from receiving his
compensation as attorney for the
tribeT"
II said good fortune" replied Har-
dy. "Any money paid him on that
contract would be tainted"
Marie arched her black eyebrows.
SIS 1t not true that he will get through
a much larger appropriation than 9TH
erwise would have been made2"
"The lands are fully worth the
amount agreed upon," stated Hardy.
1.-THE tribe should receive all the ap-
preparation. Honest lobbying would
carry the bill through at cost Of a
few hundred dollars. These supposed
friends of the tribe want millions"
do you wish to deprive me of the
share that 1 would receive through
himT ,Ii.
"Yes-of every dishonest dollar"
said Hardy, his mouth stern, though
his eyes besought her to forgive his
harshness. "You have enough. al
Aeady."
"Are you certain?" she rejolned,
"Igu may have heard that mines often
pinch out or run into valueless ore
You can guess why Pere and have
told no one, least of all Reggie"
Hardy remained mistaken. 'If he
is worthy of you, that will make no
difference to him."
"But myself? I am already used to
luxury" pleaded the girl.
"Down in your heart you know the
values in life that are real," he said.
"You do not wish for wealth gained
through fraud"
II have not admitted that there is
any fraud in the contract"
Perhaps it is as WE'LL" he remarked.
"You should not doubt your future
husband"
She flashed him an odd, Quizzlcal
look. mo, 1 cannot doubt my future
husband now, Captain Hardy. 1 must
believe in him If / am to be happy,
must not?"
EYES," agreed Hardy.
She uttered a gay little trill Of
laughter.
"That is so good Of you to say 1t,
Captain! 1t makes me feel that 1
really must do something for you in
return. May 1 not offer you q little
loan Of, say, three or four thousand
dollars? l understand that, for some
strange reason-or unreason-you
have refused your pay as captain"
my resignation has not been with
drawn, and 1 am engaged in private
enterprise. l cannot draw pay as an
officer in the service" explained
Hardy.
Sew would be so quixotic," she ar
sgued. "Most would make the excuse
that an attempt to Illustrate what they
considered wrong to others is not to
be considered private enterprise"
Il must beg to differ with you, Miss
Dupont"
"Then let it pass But the little
loanT