The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-13

the foOtlights from the first-rOw seats
to the prettiest girl in the chorus.
Hardy bowed as he would have saluted
his colOnel's lady or the daughter of a
Moro chief, if either had been his
hostess.
The girls eyes sparkled as she noted
his change OF dress, his immaculate
linen, and clean-shaven chin. His
bow won smile that may have been
due either 10 gratifed vanity or TO a
commendable self-respect. She greeted
him in a tone that caused Eandervyn to
Straighten in his chair. ct is a great
pleasure to have you dine with US"
1.-The pleasure is mine, Miss Dupont"
declared Hardy.
You've hit it, Cap" put in Dupont
you can just bet your bottom dollar
on it you won't kick yourself for com
ing when you git to her feed-trough.'
The girls Sable-black eyes dilate0
and her perfectly nodded chin rose
fraction of an inch. She placed the
tray on tea table, bowed composedly,
and left the room. Vandervyn looked
at Hardy with an ironicaI smile The
silent mOckery was wasted. Hardy
was watching Dupont uncock the
whisky bottle.
Zone moment, Mr.. Dupont he said
'.As you are my host, the question is
an awkward one to ask-yet is there
not a law or a rule Of the Indian bu-
reau against bringing liquor upon a
reservation
Dupont stared around at the in
Quirer in blank surprise. Before he
could find words to answer, Vandervyn
replied for him: According to the
strict letter of the law, captain, you
are right. You can't fancy that Jake
would be fool enough TO sell liquor to
the Indians?"
by Gar, you bet don't-not when
it's ten-year-old rye" qualified Dupont
you can't git no better stuff out of
Canada. Marie made me buy some
wine, too, to celebrate your coming.
She said it was up to US to loosen up,
seeing as you had shooed off them
bucks
"Ah, since you put it that way"
Hardy accepted the explanation. 81
must ask you, however, not to bring
anything more of the kind across the
river"
"Of course he viii not, If you OBJ
ject," assured Vandervyn. fsNogen
didn't read the law as you do; but if
you believe in dry weather for our
selves as well as for the Indians, you're
the boss"
''Sure. and here's one all round to
show there amt no hard feeling said
Dupont.
He poured out three drinks, each
measured to the brim OF a whisky
glass. His own and Vandervyn's dis
appeared at a gulp. Hardy took a sip,
and asked for q settler. The bottle
was handed around. another time and
found him not yet finished with his
first drink. But Dupont had already
begun to mellow and was in gay mood.
Here's to your boiled shirt, Cap" he
toasted.
"Stand-up collar and a white shirt.
It's sure heightened celebration. Bet
ter wear 'em careful. You'll have to
mail 'em a hundred miles to the near
est Chinaman when they git dirty"
Cheaper to throw them away, and
send a mail order to Chicago for new
Ones" put in Vandervyn. He added, as
he adjusted the fashionable tie that
was hardly in keeping with his gray
flannel shirt: But you'll soon take
to the local styles"
Marie again appeared in the door
way. She bowed to the guests with i'm
pressive formality.
eff you viii enter, gentlemen"
Hardy went in between Vandervyn
and DI1Dont He avoided the girls
proud gaze by looking about at the
dining room. 1t was as citiied as the
parlor and no less tasteful. The small
oval table was spread with a cloth of
snowy French damask The silver
was real antique ware. The unsmiling
hostess bowed Hardy TO the seat of
honor.
''Thfs here layout is Marie's," ex-
planned Dupont. ''She was bound to
turn herself loose to even up on what
happened at the river yesterday.