Williams news., 1917-04-19

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 dame manner. Captain Hardy, you may take me in."
 Vandervyn sprang up, angry-eyed. 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 fa- ther. Vandervyn'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 gratified, but he failed to realize the full meaning of his preferment as the most distin- guished gentleman present. Wander vyn alone was fully aware of the mo- tives that had prompted Marie to hon. or his rival. He bent over his plate, his lip between his teeth. For a time he could neither eat nor talk. Then he rallied and, for a while, sat staring into the bubbling amber of his cham pagne, his lips curved in an odd smile. At last merry quip from Marie stir ! red him to action. He rose and bowed to her.
 'Lady-and gentlemen" he smiling ly remarked, q have two very pleas ant little announcements to make. It is my fond expectation that you will relish them quite as much as you have relished this delicious little dinner" He looked at Marie, smiled, and con- tinued: My first encouragement relates to our martial fellow-guest, the gallant | and distinguished Captain Floyd Har- 1 dy. The privilege and pleasure are | mine to inform the distinguished off cer that the war department has been pleased to relieve him of this irksome detail to grant him permission imme- diately to join his regiment, which is at Vancouver barracks, Washington, under orders to sail for Alaska"
 All eyes turned upon Hardy. Some | glinted with malice; others were cold. Marie's alone were sympathetic. Hardy +1,a tnh To inn perturbed look, and bowed to Wander vyn.
 "Pray accept my acknowledgment of the kindliness with which you make the announcement" he said, and he turned to smile gravely into Marie's troubled face. q could have asked 1 for time to carry out our irrigation plans. But, doubtless, the bureau will find some one more competent than myself"
 "Wil you not remonstrate against this unjust order?" she exclaimed.
 "You forget that am a soldier" he replied. "Army life is life of serv- ice. You will now understand why most army women are army girls be- fore they are army wives"
 "Ah-but if a woman loves!" mur- mured Marie, and her gaze sank with the dropping of her silken lids. "Alas- ka must be a magnificent land to wis it."
 Vandervyn was bending to seat him. self. He strengthened as if struck. The suddenneSS of the movement drew all eyes back to him. His wine-f1uShed face had gone white. He met the won- dering look of the man opposite, and forced smile.
 q have still another announcement to make" he said, lone that you will all admit to be still more pleasant than the delightful news of our gallant friends summons to wider fields of service. Gentlemen-and lady-per- init me to remind you that all the world loves lover. This being true, l it follows that all the world must dou- bly love a pair of lovers. It is my privilege and delight to be able to an nounce that, as I am not at present free to engage myself, the other mem Der of the pair, our charming hostess, has graciously given her promise to wait for me-"
 He caught up his champagne glass, which the Indian boy had just refilled.
 "Gentlemen, here's to the loveliest girl in the world, the lady who has given me her true promise! ]"
 The commissioners rose-Dupont rose. Hardy sat as if stunned, his eyes fixed upon Marie's face in a strained, half-incredulous stare. She was very pale. She seemed to shrink. Yet she made no attempt to deny Vandervyn's statements. Hardy stood. up with the other men and, for the first time that evening, he emptied his champagne glass.
 Youth to youth!" he murElured. Meeting Vandervyn's exultant smile,