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

rectness. Il still consider that you
were unduly harsh, but now under
stand that you meant well and per-
haps had some excuse. Reggie says
that we are all to work together for
the good Of the tribe"
- ut pleases me very much to hear
you say it."
What interest have you in helping
themr she queried, evidently reluc-
tant TO believe his motives unselfsh
1T means good mark on his of
fetal record" bantered Vandervyn.
Every little thing counts on promo
tion-like merit marks at school"
You see! !" agreed Hardy. 81 can't
pretend to altruism. 1 am ambitious
to stand well in my profession. If
make good showing when given
detail, l put merit marks on my rec
ord, as Mr.. Vandervyn has so aptly
expressed it."
Marie's challenging gaze softened,
and she looked thoughtfully down at
her white hands.
Isn't even seIf-sacrifice form OF
selfshness?' she murmured.
The appearance of the Indian boy
In the dining room doorway checked
Hardy's reply.
During supper the girl remained
unusually thoughtful and silent Har-
dy discussed with Dupont plans for
the instruction of the tribe in agricul-
ture. The idea had occurred TO him
that the government might permit him
to build an irrigation system for the
farming lands of the tribe. using In
dian laborers, and paying for the
work out of money appropriated for
the sale of the mineral lands. When
Vandervyn chose to listen, II was
with a half-amused smile that did not
always cover the underlying cynical
irony. Most of the time he devoted
himself to an attempt to rally Marie
out Of her thoughtfulness. Instead
OF responding, she became more pen
sive. Hardy attributed the girls half
somber quietness to his presence. AS
they left the supper table, he asked
Dupont to come to the office.
Marie and Vandervyn followed them
as far as the parlor, where the young
man dropped into the easiest chair,
with a disguised, Lord he makes me
weary-all that benevolent blatter :"
'Of course he is doing it merely
to help himself In his career" muir
INJURED Marie.
"or to get the handling Of the tri-
bal funds" suggested Vandervyn.
''Theren be a fat slice of graft for
somebody out Of all those millions"
you really think that7"
what else can you expect-goyern-
ment on one side and Poor Lo on the
otherT It's the usual thing. l ex-
pect to get my share"
Your exclaimed the girl, her eyes
widening with a look Of establishment
and reproach.
Vandervyn laughed amusedly.
walt Il bit before you dig up your
tomahawk, Miss Sitting Bull. II 1
succeed In getting the tribe fifteen
or twenty millions, instead of the five
that was talked about, II strikes me
they could afford to allow yours truly
Il nice little percentage as commits
sion"
"Oh. Reggie. pardon mel OF course
you should have good pay for proving
yourself such IA friend to the tribe
And TO each member Of the tribe ="
he added, his blue eyes glowing gold
en with ardOr. Il don't want all my
pay in money. How about an advance
royalty ln-something else?"
lie had risen and was coming
toward her. She blushed and retreat
I'd around the tea table
No, no" she demonstrated. 81 told
you we must wait until-until you are
freed from your-cOusin."
Waltz" he rejoined. you're try
Ing to play me against that tinfoiI
hero. Do you think I'm going TO stand
for that7 I'll have to go on at once,
and fix things so that the delegation
Will not have to hang round the capt.
toll all winter"
You will have to leave before the
1elegation?" The girl was almost dis
mayed at the unexpectedness of the
announcement.
"Pll have to sc at once" repeated
yandervyn, frowninG. 81 thought of
course he would have told me before
sending his messages. could have
so worded them Tor him that the game
would have started of without a
hitch. As 1t is, he has messed things
up In a way that will require the
presence of good lobbyist to pull
on the game in any kind of shape to