Williams news., 1917-04-05

| fragments rom ms nat and clothes and pulled out his bandanna to wipe off the sweat that was gathering in beads on his forehead.
 "Ugh!' he grunted. Don't never see me in there ag'in till it's timbered.' 5 Rather close call,' remarked Hardy.
 You're a cool one," muttered the trader, and he scowled. "Nom dun chien! Just my luckI If I hadn't sung out, you'd "a got smashed under i that first drOp.'
 T shall not forget it, Dupont
 Me, neither. Stead of being rid of you, here you are ready as ever to clean us out-and I done it 70 You do not regret saving my life" asserted Hardy.
 ''Well, mebbe not. Just the same, it's mighty hard luck on us. Here we went and blocked out all that there ore-three hundred thousand dollars as good as in our pOckets-not to speak of all that's down under and t'other side the shaft. For all we know, it runs clean through the mountain and down to China !''
 That does not alter the situation" said Hardy.
 "Mebbe it don't, and then ag'in-" Dupont began to scratch his head. Yes, mebbe it don't, and then, agin, mebbe it does. Just you take look at it this way, Cap. Suppose that new treaty goes through, the tribe don't git nothing out of this mine, and we don't, neither. Just some lucky bum beats us to it, and the government says it's hisn. Is that fair and square?"
 You have acted outside the law" said Hardy. You must take your chances with other locator'"
 How about the tribe?" queried Du- pont. Don't you care nothing about their interests? Just suppOsing you and me and MT. Van took hold Of this here proposition for the tribe and split even with them on the proceeds. l call that a square deal to them and us, 100 = and I know Marie would think the same. She likes you, Cap. Just show her you want to do what's best for all concerned, and Pm dead sure she"
 "Stop!" commanded Hardy. "I cave your daughter out of this.''
 You've got to tell me how I'm going to do it." replied Dupont in an injured tone. Eff don't git my share in the mine, MT. Van can't afford to take her; and you won't have no show. But you git in right with Marie, and she'd work her hands to the bone for you. She ain't no common breed girl, neither. You know that. She'd be real lady, if she had money only you ain't going to give her no chance"
 "She knows that I wish to marry her." said Hardy.
 "Think she believes that when you're going to rob me and her of fortune?"
 Hardy looked directly at the temp ter, his eyes clear and resolute, though his face was white and drawn. Tt is of no use, Dupont. I shall do what I consider my duty."
 Dupont's face darkened. "So that's what I git for saving your life. You ain't got a particle of gratitude, and you don't care a hang about her."
 q must beg to differ with you," said Hardy. "But l cannot expect you to understand my position"
 Dupont drew out his pipe and re- turned to his seat on. the minedump, to brood on his wrongs in morose si- lence. Hardy thoughtfully walked back to the cabin, drew out writing nod from nf SaddlQha Qr,6 began to draft semiofficial letter to the most influential of his few ac- quaintances in Washington.
 He soon became so intent that he did not notice the half-doZen figures in dark blue uniform that came swing ing down the precipitous mountain side above the terrace. When at last he finished the letter and looked up, he saw all the members of the police escort drawn up in line before him, their swarthy faces alight with re- spectful friendliness. Their sergeant uttered a guttural word of salutation, and began making signs.
 Hardy smiled, shook his head, and looked around for an interpreter. Du- pont still sat sulking on the mine dump, but Marie and Vandervyn were coming back up the mountain side. They appeared only a few yards away, as Hardy glanced about His lips drew tense when he per ceived the girls happy blushes and the look with which Vandervyn was regarding her half-averted face,
 At sight of Hardy she strengthened with proud disdain, and would have Immediately gone around into the cabin had he not spoken.
 Pardon me, Miss Dupont These men wish to report to me. May ask you to interpret for them?"
 The girl turned coldly to the ser geant, who at once poured out an i'm passioned Reclamation, emphasized
 'th swift-formed signs. He was still
 liking, when Dupont sullenly shnrn-