The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-09-27
CHAPTER Iv--Continued.

The hostess signed her indian boy 10
take the box into the parlor, together
with the Ice bucket, In which was still
left n bottle OF champagne. As he
obeyed, she bowed her dismissal OF the
guests from the table.
81 shall now permit myself to be
%fatigued." she said. Good evening.
Mr.. vandervyn. Good evening, Captain
Hardy"
vandervyn nodded. and followed Du-
pont with a %nonchalant bearing that
drew attention from the slight uncer-
tainty Of his step. IIsrdy fingered for
a word of appreciation: This has
been a most enjoyable evening. Miss
Dupont"
She chose TO disregard the sincerity
and warmth behind the formal phrase.
You are very kind. Captain Hardy.
But pray do not overestlmate. Where
all else Is off-color. thr%ee-Qunrters
white seems dazzling"
believe me, II Is not n question of
contrast or comparison" he protested.
mot even In New York or Washing
ton"
"You fatter NE. And now, as | am
tired"
He bowed and left her, concealing
the sting OF her polite rebuff under his
grave smile. The Indian boy, who was
standing ut the parlor door, closed 1t
behind h IL guest Mt "a sign from Marie.
Dupont took the drink that he had
poured out for himself and undertook
the perilous operation OF opening the
champagne. He fumbled the bottle and
would have dropped 1t had not Van
dervyn jumped up and taken 1t from
him. Thrust aside by the younger
man, he lurched and sat down In a
chair near Hardy.
"Shelipp'ry-ben In Ice" he ex-
planned with solemn emphasis. He
threw back his head and burst into m
upronrious laugh. "Shelipp'ry like
that gobe-mouche Redbear. Him trying
to smooth me down-zif thatd give
him Il show with M'rle! An me the
squnrest trader In the Y. S. Why,
lash time l got goods on credit, they
shent me n skeshule to llsht my
it'biltIes. n | jush took my pen In han
n wrote cross tina shere llsh. L don't
owe no man nushing,'" III again drew
back his hcad and let out n hoarse
laugh.
Poor grammar, but rich rhetoric,
Jake" remarked vNnderyyn ns he filled
the champagne ~glsises. you told me
they gave you the credit you asked
for"
~ got the goods" said Dupont, pull
H., lta,g.lg t,p.st,.r md g,InrInn hig
tongue with an effort. Nothing like
being on the square. That's what
makes me sore ut them there chiefs,
Cap. Won't let me help ont the bucks
and squaws what's aching for work
good pay In trade goods, and US taxi
ing all risks on the ore smelling out
n. G.. WhutH the tribe do after they
git their last issue next spring?
That's what I'd like to know
"Ycs, captain said Nandcryyn.
"Ncxt spring viii come the last issue
of goods that IL provided for In the
government treaty with this tribe.
They will be In a bad fix II something
Is not done to get them used TO white
ways"
How about a new treaty, 10 partl-
ton the reservation and give land In
severnlty To each head OF n familyf'
suggested Hardy.
THAT would take n long time to
bring about, and meantime the young
bucks should be taught to work. Why
wouldn't II be a good idea for us ia
take charge Of the mine-pay all who
want 10 work at fair wages, and take
the risk Of getting our money back
out OF the ore shipmentsf'
As vandcrvyn made The suggestion
he smiled ENORMOUSLY, and his hand
some. flushed face shonc with philan
thropic enthusiasm. Hardy's face Hight
ed with n responsive glow. He smile,
into the boyish blue eyes.
"The proposal does you credit" h
responded. you may count on me 4
contribute my share"
You will, will you. Capf" exclaimed
pupont. lie reached out his thlck-fin
gcred hand. you're in, heyl Put |
there, old pard! lust you make then
,umn ki.yl.s savyy they've got 4
hustle for what we give 'em, like No
gcn done, and wen round M hft,
thousand apiece before snow flies"
''Whnt's thatf" demanded Hardy, In
siautly stiGonlng 10 stern risldity.
lie failed 10 catch III" furious glanc
from vnndcrIyn that sent their half
fuddlcd hast lurchtng over 10 III
whisky hottie. When he did turn, III
chief clerk met Lie hard g'rnce with
Knowing wink nnL a chuckling CON
ulent: "SplIledr'