The Kentucky register. (Richmond, Ky.) 190?-1917, 1917-03-16

ment of his second purpose had been
far less smooth. In fact, after months
Of persistent endeavor, he could not
be sure that he had made any prog
J ress whatever. He had not been bar
red from an inspection of the dOcu-
ments relating to the new treaty with
the tribe, and among them he had
found Vandervyn's alleged contract. 1t
purported to appoint the young man
attorney and tribal representative and
to fix his compensation at twenty per
cent of any moneys appropriated to
the tribe In payment for the coded
mineral lands.
Hardy had at first considered the
signatures forged. But examination
with mlci Dscope had shown him that
the thumb prints were Identical with
| those on the memorandum of the pro-
ceedings of the tribal council. He
| had been quick to perceive that his
only chance of defeating the outrage
Gus contract was to bring about either
| an executive or congressional inves-
| tigation. There had been no difficulty
| in dlvining the manner in which Van
dervyn had obtained the signatures at
the tribal council.
Yet so far his every move had been
blocked. He had interested one man
| of official position or influence after
another only to be met later with eva
sion or procrastinatlon or even out
right rebuffs. One door after another
had been shut in his face. At last he
had found himself regarded as n
crank, than which, in Washington, no
more opprobrlous term can be applied
to, a man.
With the opening of congress the In
fiuences opposed to him had at last
been able to overcome the opposition
that had delayed a trial of the charges
against him. The afternoon that he
came back to his shabby lodgings after
a final attempt to obtain an interview
he was officially notified to appear the
following morning for trial by court
martial.
He already knew the charges against
him. They included desertlon, failure
to report at Vancouver barracks and,
under the head of conduct unbecom-
ing an officer and gentleman, his con-
cealment of the developed mine.
The nearness of the trial brought
matters to n desperate pass with him
He must act quickly.
1t was the night of the first ball at
the White House. AS usual, there was
great crush. Hardy, in conventional
evening dress-not in official costume
us the regulations requlred-manaeed
in some mysterious manner to obtain
entrance. The secret-service men had
no instructions with regard to him.
and considerable time passed before
anyone inimical to him needed his I'M
Obtrusive presence.
He, in turn, was so intent upon ma
neuvering to have himself spoken to
by that most genial Of hosts, the
president, that he failed to see Marie
until she spoke to him. The first sight
of her bewildered him, and his bow
did not altogether hide the effects OF
the delicious shock given him by hT
tiHZZiing Oeaury. Dut nc 81 a.. =
covered his self-pOssessi0n when he
saw that she was with Yandervyn.
That young man, though more boyish-
ly handsome than ever, bore himself
with rather 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 sharp-eyed man near the presl-
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 you are by far
the most beautiful woman herep
Her long lashes dropped and rose
again to disclose the same inscrutable
look.
$50 have been told several times
already-I wished few moments
with you, that l might thank you for
your generosity, 1t has given me the
great opportunity of my trip abroad
and this visit In Washington"
81 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 nee
essary for me to become the rage-if
l am to force a recognition from Reg
gles relatives. He says that, fortu-
nately, his llancee has become interest
ed in another man who is quite as ELI
gible as himself"
Hardys eyes contracted, yet he did
not falter:
"Siuce 1t will bring you happiness, l
wish him-good fortune"
"You dOi" The question was al
most an exclamation. But the girl at
once regalned 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
tribe7"
Il said good fortune" replied Har-
dy. ANY money paid him on that
contract would be tainted
Marie arched her black eyebrows.
as 1t not true that he will get through
a much larger appropriation than 9th
erwise would have been nader"
1.-THE lands are fully worth the
amount agreed upon,' stated Hardy.
"The tribe should receive all the APP
nronriOfiOn Honest lohhyinp would