The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-11-08

on the signal mountain. The
.prearranged smOke-slgn rave warning
Of the approach Of the party while
II was yet many miles away over
the plains. Even at that, Hardy
and Marie and Dupont were not
quite ready to greet the visitors
they came into view down the
valley. The explanation OF their quick
trip from the railroad ut once became
Commissioners, Indian dele
gates and all were slowed In two
large touring cars.
Vandervyn was driving the foremost
He brought II up the SLOPE Of the
agency terrace with a rush, and spun
II around In u curve that ended before
the porch OF the Dupont house. The
secon car rolled straight on across
the terrace to the tcpee Of Ti-owa-
konza.
Hardy, who vas about to start
across to the office, paused In the
porch 10 welcome the commissioners.
Dupont hurried out OF the real door
way OF his store. Marie. after n slight
W fh uNNLoN ltiElItDI VI Nuiiti
vyn's respectful salute, quietly drew
buck into her parlor.
In the front seat beside Vandervyn
was a big. red-faced man, whose
bleared eyes Immediately began to
scrutinizc Hardy. und as quickly
turned away when they met his clear
gaze. The five men in the touneau all
had the look Of n certain kind OF poll
iiclan, aud all met ilnrdy's cordial
greeting with n cold formality that
would have chilled even II place-hunter.
Put upon his dignity by this n ex
pected rebuff. the captain drew back
into the porch. Dupont received n
more pleasant response to his blum
welcome. lie Jerked open the door OF
the %tonnenu. and Off ered his hand to
each OF the commissioners In turn as
they stepped stifly out into the porch.
"My friend Jake Dupont. hentle-
men," said vandervyn.
Every member Of the part. at ono
smiled upon the trader, and shook
hands with him. Most cordial Of all
vas the big man who had sat In the
front seat.
Marie now stepped out to greet the
visitors, and was formally introduced
by vandervyn. With n gracious com.
posture that would have done credit
to the most exclusive Of drawing
rooms, she welcomed the visitors, and
invited them To luncheon.
The most portly member of the COM
mission promptly rccepted the invita-
tion on behalf of himself and his com
panIons. and the party followed their
hostess into her rrrlor. vandervyn
fingered n moment TO favor Hardy with
n smile OF lronical coincidence.
"Chcsty lot, these lame ducks !" he
said. But they stand In with the big
fellows. They had the cars shipped
nut from Chicago to accommodate
them. Better snuggle up OF their
warm side What. not going, surely?
You must come In tn lunch and show
US how tactful a tacticlan can be-"
Thanks. no." replied Hardy. "Tll
nsk you kindly to excuse me to Miss
Dupont. The commissioners may fad
me ut the Office at any time that suits
them"
Nandervyn shrugged and went In
doors. his smile n trifie forced. lie at
once Joined hic party In their eager
acceptance Of Dupont's most cordial
expression of hospitality, his eight.
year-old whisky. Marie had excused
herself TO the guests. BY the time she
reappeared every member of the party
was nglow with good feeling. The girl
Mt once became the target for a shower
of compliments, NIL In doubtful taste.
and some dec! ledly too free and easy.
She looked to vandervyn. and met
only with an uneasy smile. Seeing
that he would say not sing, she replied
TO the offenders with n wit and dig
nifty that soon altered their bearing
toward her. They were puzzled to find
u garden rose In this rough wilderness,
but she soon brought them TO the renll-
zation that they were not nj liberty
to splash mud IN her petals. The
luncheon completed her conquest.
Nandervyn came to the table with
oil the uncasincss gone from his
smile. He took his seat, and proceed
cd to cNtOl Marie's skill as n chef.
Olnna. bearing n tray. came In, and
began to serve luncheon. Though ex-
trcmely SHY, she started with n deft-
ness that showed careful training.
Several moments passed before Van.
dervyn locked up and perceived her.
The surprise was too sharp even for
his assurance. lie stopped short in
his talk, and stared ut her, discon-
certed.
At sight of his frown the girl
dropped her tray, now fortunately
empty, and with n little, gasplng cry
fed from the room. She did not re-
appear. Marie passed of the awk-
ward incident with n smile and a tact
full explanation Of Oinna's excessive
shyness. The Indian boy finished the
serving.
v~andervyn had delivered Hardy's
messages. They had been received