Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1917-03-01
CHAPTER xxIv-continued.

president, that he failed to see Marie
until she spoke to him. The first sight
of her bewI.dered him, and his bow
did not altogether hide the effects of
the delicious shock given him by her
dazzling bea aty. But he quickly re-
covered his self-possession when he
saw that she was with Vandervyn.
That young man, though more boyish-
~ handsome than ever, bore himself
with rather sullen air. He met Har-
dy's clear gaze with a forced smile.
The smile became still more forced
when the girl transferred her hand
from his arm to Hardy's.
"Only q very few minutes" she
soothed the disappointed lover.
whatever you say!" he deferred to
her caprice, and he drew back to speak
to a sharp-oyed 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 knew that you are by far
the most beautiful woman here2"
Her long laahes dropped and rose
again to disclore the same inscrutable
look.
$50 l have feen told several times
already-I wifhed q few moments
with you, that I 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 oil the reports of your
social triumrhs," he said. "They have
made me ve-y happy"
Again the girls lashes dropped.
''That Is good Of you 1t is quite nee
essary for ne to become the rage--if
! am to force a recognition from Reg
gie's relatives. He says that, fortu-
nately, his fiancee has become interest
ed In another man who is quite as ell
CHILE as himself"
Hardy's eyes contracted, yet he did
not falter:
"Since it viii bring you happiness, I
wish him-good fortune"
"You do2" 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
tribe?"
II said good fortune" replied Har-
dy. "Any money paid him on that
contract would be tainted"
Marie arched her. black eyebrows.
us it not true that he will get through
a much larger appropriation than 9TH
erwise would have been nader?
"The lands are fully worth the
amount agreed upon" stated Hardy.
'"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 I would receive through
himf"
'Yes-of every dishonest dollar"
said Hardy, his mouth stern, though
his eyes besought her to forgive his
harshness. "You have enough al
ready"
'Are you certain?" she rejoined.
"You may have heard that mines often
pinch out or run into valueless ore
You can guess why Pere and l have
told no one, least Of all Reggie"
Hardy remained mistaken. III 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"
Il have not admitted that there Is
any fraud In the contract"
Perhaps it is as WELL" he remarked.
"You should not doubt your future
husband
She flashed him On odd, quizzical
look. mo, / cannot doubt my future
husband now, Captain Hardy. / must
believe In him If am to be happy,
must not?'
Yes" agreed Hardy.
She uttered a gay little trill OF
laughter.
'That is so good of yoa to say 1t,
Captain. 1t makes me feel that l
really must do something for you IN
return. May I not offer you 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 ha. not been with
drawn. and I am engaged in a private
enterprise / cannot draw pay as an
officer In the service" explained
Hardy.
Few would be SO quixotic," she ar
gued. "Most would make the excuse
that an attempt to Illustrate what they
considered a wrong to others is not to
he considered a private enterprise
4 must beg to differ with you, Miss
DupcGt"