The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-12-06
CHAPTER xxIv--Continued.
Il

until she spoke to him. The first sight
Of her bew1ldered him, and his bow
did not altogether hide the effects Of
the delicious shock given him by her
dazzling beauty. But he quickly re-
covered his self-posscssion when he
saw that she was with Vandervyn.
h young man. though more boyish.
iy handsome than ever, bore himself
with rather n sullen mir. lie met Har.
dy's clear gaze with n forced smile.
The smile became still more forced
when the girl transferred her hand
from his arm to ~linrdy's.
"Only "A very few minutes" she
soothcd the disappointed lover.
Whatever you say !" he deferred to
her caprice, and he drew back to speak
20 n sharp-cyed man near tho presi-
dent.
llnriy was gazing into the wonder
ful blue-black eyes Of his companion.
They were ms inscrutnble ms when he
had last looked into their depths. lie
tried to speak calmly, but his voice
shook.
DO you know that you are by far
che most beautiful woman hcrc?'
Her long lushes dropped and rose
again to disclose the saine inscrutable
look.
S have been told several times
already wished a 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"
IL am saving all the reports of your
socnl triumphs," he said. "They have
znade me very happy"
Again the girls lashes dropped.
~That Is good of YOU 1t Is quite nee
essary for me to become the rnge-if
l atn to force Il recognition from Reg
Gie's relatives. lie says that. fortu-
natcly, his iinncce has become interest
ed Ia another man who Is quite us ell
giblc as himself"
Ilardy's eyes contracted, yet he did
not falter:
Since 1t will bring you happiness, l
wish ~him-good fortune"
"You dor" The question was al
most an exclamation. But the girl ut
once rcgaincd her quiet composurc.
81 do not understand. If you wish him
good fortune. why then do you seek
to prevent him from receiving his
compensation us attorney for the
trlbcf"
II said good fortune" replied IInr-
dy. ANY moLcy paid him ON that
contract would be tainted"
Marie archcd her black eyebrows.
ais 1t not true thac he will get through
Il much larger appropriation than 9TH
erwisc would have been mudc?"
THE lands are fully worth the
amount agreed upon" stated Hardy.
THE tribe should receive all the mp
preparation. Honest lobbying would
carry the bill through at II cost of Il
few hundred dollars. These supposed
friends of the tribe want Millions"
"Do you wish to deprive me of .hc
share that l would receive through
him?'
"ics-Of every dishonest dollar
said Hardy, his mouth stern, though
hiS eyes besought her To forgive his
hurShness. You have enough al.
ready"
Are you certnln?" she rejoined.
You may have heard that mines often
pinch out or run into vnluelcss ore
You can guess why Pere and | have
told no one. least of all Reggie
Hardy remained mistaken. III he
Is worthy of you, that will make no
difference To him."
But myself am already Used to
luxury" pleaded the girl.
Down In your heart you know the
values In life that are real" he said.
you do not wish for wealth gained
through fraud"
II have not admitted that there Is
any fraud In the contract"
Perhaps II is rs wcll." he remarked.
"You should not doubt your future
husband"
She flashed him an odd, quizzical
look. mo, ! cannot doubt my future
husband now, Captain Hardy. | must
believe in him il | am to be happy, !
must I nOt?" ,
Yes" agreed Hardy. ;
She uttered II gay little trill of ,
laughter. ,
THAT is 80 good Of you to say Il, $
Captain, II makes me feel that [ ,
really must do something for you in I
return. May | not offer you IA little ,
loan of, say three or -four thousand /
dollnrSf | understand that, for some I
strung" regson-or unreasnn-you !
have refused your pay as captain"
"My resignation has not been with 4
drawn, and | IN engaged Ia n private I
enterprise. ! annot draw pny as nm ,
officer In the service" explained =
Hardy. ,
"Few would be so qulxotic," she ar. /,
gued. Most would make the excuse (,
that IN attempt To Illustrate what they. r
considered n wrong TO others IL not TO h
be considered Il private enterprise" q
II must beg to differ with you, Miss
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