The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-11-15
CHAPTER xvuI-contInued.

sBe so kind as 20 open the safe and lay
before these commissioners every pub
lie paper In the office. They decline to
show me their authority for an inspec-
ton of my accounts. Therefore | have
declined to make an official presenta-
ton 10 them OF agency affairs. There
II nothing to conceal from any In
quirer. You may hand every document
20 these p~ersons-in my prr:;ence."
vnndervyn nonchalantly shrugged,
and went over TO open the safe. One
OF the commissioners remarked In an
oficious tone: where Is the issue
clerk? lie ought to be present to ex-
plain his accounts"
'That's Charlie Redbear. gentle
mantle interpreter" explained Du-
pont. ale lit out with his sister. down
the creek TO his house, when we was
eating. Want me to send for him?
You'll need him TO make your official
talk TO the chiefs"
"You will do as we'll for that. Jake"
lnterposed Vandervyn. Besides, l be-
lieve the commissioners will wish to
put off the powwowing until tomor-
EO". It's u UitsOlut UP uNlVsS llplu
the railroad. No doubt they will
glance through the agency papers.
and then go over to your house To
plan the opening of the mineral
lands"
The big. blear-eyed man who had
ridden In the front seat Of the car, nod
ded and replied In or oily tone: IF
you assure us the accounts are cor
rect. Mr.. Vandervyn. l think II Is need.
less trouble at this time to make fur
ther investigation"
"Still, oughtn't we to" One OF the
commissioners began a %querulous oh.
lection. But his fellows were rising
to leave the Office, and he bent to the
will of the majority.
Hardy bowed them M with pune
Hlious courtesy. lie was still working
when Maric's Indian boy brought word
that she wished him to come TO din
per without fail. He hesitated, but NJ
last sent back the reply hat he would
be resent.
Having In mind the cold and almost
Insulting name of the visitors, he cut
his arrival as close as possible. This
proved to be a tactful move. Though
the newcomers were all mellow with
whisky. a chilling silence followed the
entrance OF the acting agent. Even
Dupont turned his thick shoulder and
poured himself another drink without
q word of greeting.
Only Vandervyn raised his empty
glass TO the last guest, and called
Ironically: Just in time, captain.
Here's to your quick progress along
the course Of your career
Hardy did not reply. He was bow
Ing To Marie, who had that moment ap-
peared in the dining room doorway.
Dinner is served, gentlemen she
said, and she bowed in her most grande
dase manner. Captain Hardy, you
may take nae in"
Vandcrvyn sprang up, angry-eved.
Marie did not seem to perceive him.
She stepped in beside Hardy. and wait
ed with perfect composure while the
other guests passed out after her ia
Their. Vnndervyn's face was far from
pleasant as he followed the others. The
girl did not look AT him. Hardy escort
ed her to the head OF the table, and
she gave him the seat of honor. The
chairman of the commission was gra'
ciously assigned to the seat on her
left.
Hardy was deeply gratihed, but he
failed to realize the full meaning OF
his preferment rs the most distin'
guished gentleman present. Wander
vyn alone was fully aware OF the mo
,ives that had prompted Marie to hon
or his rival. He bent over his plate
his lip between his teeth. For a tim'
he could neither eat nor talk. Their
into the bubbllng amber Of his cham
pngne, his lips curved in an odd smile
At last n merry quip from Marie stir
red him to action. He rose ard bowel
to her.
"Lady-nnd gentlemen" he smiling
ty remarked. 81 have two very pleas
ant little announcements to make. |
Is my fond expectation that you will
relish them quite as much as you havI
relished this delicious little dinner"
He looked at Marie, smiled, and cen
tinued:
my FIRST announcement relates 4
u martial fellow-guest. the gallan
and distinguished Captain Floyd Har
dy. The privilege and pleasure ar
mine TO inform the distinguished OFT
Ger that the war department has bee
pleased TO relieve him OF this irksom
detail to grtnt him permission imme
diateiy to jstn his regiment. which |
at Vancouver barracks. Washington
under orders to sail for Alaska"
All eyes turned upon Hardy. Som
giinted with malice; others were COLI
karia's alone were sympathetic. Hard
glanced around the table with an In
perturbed look. and bowed to Wander
vyn.
"Pray accept my acknowledged
of the kindiiness with which you max
the announcement" he said. and h