The Tomahawk., 1917-03-08
CHAPTER xxIV-Continued.

Inc smile became SClu uOIe 4OASCu
. when the girl transferred her hand
m his arm to Hardy's.
Only a very few minutes" she
joothed the disappointed lover.
whatever you say!" he deferred to
her caprice, and he drew back to speak
to a sharp-oyed man near the presi-
dent.
Hardy was gazing into the wonder
full blue-black eyes of his companion.
They were as snscrutable as when ne
had last looked into their depths. He
tried to speak calmly, but his voice
shook.
"Do you knew that you are by far
the most beautiful woman here!
Her long laahes dropped and rose
again to disclore the same inscrutaDle
look.
$50 have feen told several times
already wifhed a few moments
with you, that 1 might thank you for
your generosity. It has given me the
great opportunity Of my trip abroad
and this visit in Washington"
II am saving all the reports OF your
social triumphs," he said. "They have
'cnade me ve1y happy"
again the girls lashes dropped.
''That is good of YOU 1t is quite nee
essary for me to become the rage-lf
I am to force recognition from Reg
gie's relatives. He says that, fortu-
nately, his fnncee has become interest
ed in another man who is quite as ell
CHILE as himself"
Hardy's eyes contracted, yet ne old
not falter:
"Since it will bring you happiness,
him-good fortune"
"You do?" The question was al
most an exclamation. But the girl at
once regained her quiet composure.
= = AZ not understand. If you wish him
good fortune, why then do you seek
4 to prevent him from receiving MS
compensation as attorney for the
tribe?"
II said good fortune" replied Har.
DIV. "Any money paid him on that
contract would be tainted"
Marie arched her black eyebrows.
ais it not true that he will get through
a much larger appropriation than otn-
erwise would have been nader"
"The lands are fully worth the
amAHnt agreed upon," stated Hardy
.gehe tribe should receive all the ap-
,r<bropriation. Honest lobbying would
carry the bill through at a cost OF a
few hundred dollars. These supposed
friends of the tribe want millions"
do you wish to deprive me OF the
share that would receive through
l. him?"
Il "Yes-of every dishonest dollar"
said Hardy, his mouth stern, though
! his eyes besought her to forgive his
s5harshness. "You have enough al
ready" :,
"Are you certain?" she rejoined.
tsYou may have heard that mines often
pinch out or run into valueless ore
You can guess why Pere and 1 have
told no one, least Of all Reggie"
n Hardy remained mistaken. III he
is worthy Of you, that will make no
difference to him."
"But myself? I am already used to
luxury" pleaded the girl.
down in your heart you know the
vaa,ues in life that are real" he said.
: 4.YoM do not wish for wealth gained
through fraud"
81 have not admitted that there Is
any fraud in the contract"
Il "Perhaps it is as WE'LL" he remarked.
.sYou should not doubt your future
Husband"
II She flashed him an odd, quizzical
Hook. mo, cannot doubt my future
Husband now, Captain Hardy. must
hhelieve in him if I am to be happy,
fmust not?'
"Yes," agreed Hardy.
i She uttered a gay little trill OF
laughter.
.sThat is so good Of yoa to say it,
saptain. 1t makes me feel that 1
vreally must do something for you In
return. May I not offer you little
loan of, say, three or four thousand
dollars? I understand that, for some
strange reason-or unreasOn-you
have refused your pay as captain
INV resignation has not been with
drawn, and I am engaged In private
enterprise. I cannot draw pay as an
nficer in the service" explained
Hardy.
Stew would be so quixotic," she ar
rued. "AIost would make the excuse
that an attempt to Illustrate what they
kconsideryl wrong to others is not to
he considered a private enterprise"
III faust beg to differ viii. you, Miss
Al <font."
"lTea ut /; pass. But the little
ioa.,:"