The Lamar register., 1917-03-14

lerNyn had obtained the signatures NJ
the tribal council
Yet so far his every move had been
blocked He had Interested one man
If official position or influence after
another, only to he met later with eva
sion or procrastinntion or even out
right rebufTs. One door after another
had been shut In his face. AT last he
had found himself regarded as a
rank, than which, In Washington, no
more opprob<ious term can be applied
TO nan.
With the opening of congress the in
huences opposed to him had ut last
been able to overcome the opposition
that had delayed a trial of the charges
against him. The afternoon that he
came back to his shabby lodgings after
IL final attempt to obtain an interview
with the chief Of the Indian bureau,
lie was officially notified To appear the
following morning for trial by court
martial.
lie already knew the charges against
him. They Included desertion, failure
yu report ut Vancouver barracks and.
under the head OF conduct unbrcum-
Ing an officer and gentleman, his con-
,'ralmrnt of the developed mine.
The nearness of the trial brought
matters to u desperate pass with him.
He must act quickly.
1t was the night of the first ball at
the White House. As usual, there vas
II great crush Hardy, in conventional
evening dress-not In official costume,
as the regulations required-menaeed
in some mysterious manner to obtain
entrance. The secret-service men had
no instructions with regard to him,
and considerable time passed before
anyone inimical to him needed his un-
obtrusive presence.
He in turn, was so intent upon ma
neuvering to have himself spoken TO
by that most genial Of hosts, the
president. that he failed to see Marie
until she spoke to him. The first sight
OF her bewlldered him, and his bow
did not altogether hide the effects of
the delicious shock given him by her
dazzling beauty. But he quickly re-
covered his self-possesslon when he
saw that she was with vandervyn.
ly handsome than ever. bore himself
with rather a sullen air. He met Har-
dy's clear gaze with II forced smile.
The smile became still more forced
when the girl transferred her hand
from his arm TO Hardy's.
only a very few minutes" she
soothed the disappointed lover.
whatever you say" he deferred to
her caprice. and he drew back TO speak
to q sharp-eyed man near the presi-
dent
Hardy was gazing into the wonder
full blue-black eyes of his companion.
They were as inscrutable as when he
had last looked into their depths. He
tried to speak calmly, but his voice !
shook.
do you know that you are by far
the most beautiful woman hereT
Her long lashes dropped and rose
again to disclose the same inscrutable |
look.
so 1 have been told several times
already-I wished a few moments |
with you, that might thank you for |
your generosity. It has given me the |
great opportunity Of my trip abroad
and this visit in Washington"
81 am saving all the reports OF your
social uiumphs," he said. They have
made me very happy"
Again the girls lashes dropped. |
That is good Of you 1t is quite nee |
essary for me to become the rage-if |
am to force a recognition from Reg |
gie's relatives. He says that, fortu- |
nately, his fancee has become interest |
ed In another man who is quite as ell |
gible as himself"
Hardy's eyes contracted, yet he did
not falter:
since 1t will bring you happiness, l
wish him-good fortune"
"You doT" The question was al
most an exclamation. But the girl at |
once regalned her quiet composure.
Il do not understand. II you wish him
good fortune, why then do you seek
to prevent him from receiving his
compensation as attorney for the
tribe7"
II said good fortune" replied Har-
dy. ANY money paid him on that
contract would be tainted"
Marie arched her black eyebrows.
is II not true that he will get through
a much larger appropriation than 9TH
ha Aa1I