Williams news., 1917-05-17

cause of your record and of certain statements that have been presented to me, have been persuaded to give you an opportunity to explain your conduct"
 Hardy saluted. Permit me, sir, to first present for your consideration a matter relating to tile interests of the tribe which"
 "Stopv' ordered the president. "Others are waiting for interviews. I can give you only ten minutes. If you eXpend them on this other matter, you will have no further opportunity to state your own case"
 "The evidence before the court-mar- tial covered the facts, sir. If those facts sustain the charges against me, then I am guilty, and desire no elem ency. That is all have to say on my own case, sir. With regard to the mat ter which I desire to present." "Sit down!' ordered the president. "You have nine minutes. Be brief"
 Hardy seated himself and proceeded to present his argument against the Vandervyn contract. He spoke delib- erately, but with a conciseness that covered what he had to say fully and rlearly, in words as forceful as they were few. The president listened at- tentively, but with no change in his ex- pression. At the end of eight minutes Hardy stopped.
 The president showed a trace of sur prise. "Is that all you have to say? There Is still a minute"
 That is all, sir," replied Hardy, ris- Ing.
 The president touched call button, put raised his finger. "One moment. What if I should confront you with witnesses?"
 "As I have stated, sir, my only re- 1uest Is that all the witnesses in the case be examined"
 "There are some already at hand. You shall see what they have to say about your charges"
 The aide appeared and immediately went out again at a sign from the president. He returned with Wander vyu and Marie. At sight of Hardy the young man stopped short, but, meet .ng the presidents cordial smile, came forward with easy assurance. Marie did not look at Hardy, as she fol- lowed.
 The president addressed vandervyn: Captain Hardy has declined to ask for clemency. I have decided to sus- tain the findings of the court-martial. In the face of all this, he has had the temerity to make charge of fraud against your Indian contract"
 Vandervyn nodded: Captain Hardy is too skilled a strategist not to realize that the best way to shield himself is to raise the cry of stop thiefr against others. Does he allege that the sigma lures to my contract are forged?"
 'The signatures are genuine. They were obtained by fraud" bluntly charged Hardy
 My word is as good or perhaps somewhat better than that of a cash tered officer" rejoined Vandervyn.
 You deny the charge" the president stated rather than inquired.
 "Most emphatically," pleasantly agreed Vandervyn. He looked signifi- cantly from Hardy to Marie. "As sol dier-until recently-the gallant cap- tain probably believes in the saying that all is fair in war and love-"
 Marie lowered her eyes. The presi- dent looked thoughtful. "Of course, MT. Vandervyn, there can be no ques- tion, when it is a matter of your word against his. Yet were there any other witnesses than yourselves and the h. dians?
 Your excellency evidently has not seen the contract" said Vandervyn. Tt is duly witnessed by Charlie Redbear, the official interpreter, and by his sis ter"
 'Ah, the interpreter, you say? This matter may be rumored in the house and even in the senate. It will be well for you to send for the man."
 Vandervyn shrugged. Cant do it, even to oblige you, MT. President. The fellow has gone to the place where