The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-03-31
CHAPTER xxvI.
The Sentence.

waved Hardy to a door on the right.
1t led him into a stenographerS' room
He saw the f1ounce of a woman's skirt
behind a revolving bookcase near the
far end OF the room, and paused.
Someone stepped into the room after
him, and touched him authoritatively
on the shoulder.
Zone moment, Captain Hardy
your sentence"
He turned and faced the presidents
aide with the clear, unflinching gaze
of brave man about to be shot. The
aide saluted with punctiliOus formal
ity. Hardy responded with equal for
maIity. The aide presented an official
document, saluted, and withdrew from
the room.
For long moment Hardy stood with
the decree of his fate slowly crumpling
in his hand. His eyes were fixed on
vacancy. Doubtless he was seeing the
years of soldierly cOmradeship and
duty that now lay in the past and the
vision of the career to which he was
to have given the utmost OF his pow
ers. He had always loved his profess
sion-and now
The woman whose skirt he had seen
was in front of him before he became
aware of her presence. He found him
self looking into the cool, ha1f-mocking
face Of Marie.
Are you afraid to read your SEN
tence?" she tainted. Had it not been
for you, he would have had the mine
and a million from his contract and
me. The president conferred with Sen
ator Clemmer an hour ago. The treaty
appropriation bill will be passed with
clause that no commission is to be
paid for the services Of any tribal
agent or representative. He has lost
everything. And now-I am waiting
to see you read that paper"
Hardy drew himself up, opened the
envelope, took out the document and
read.
As Marie saw the look of blank in
credulfty that came into his face, her
eyes flashed under the lowering veil OF
their long lashes. He stared up at her,
change in her expression.
Acquitted = honOrably on all
charges % he murmured. ION all
charges Honorable mention recon-
acknowledgements President"
Marie smiled with cool condescen-
sion.
Merely a question of doing justice
to you, Captain Hardy. When a man
has done his duty, however harshly,
it is the duty of others to see that he
receives just compensation. 1 take
credit for having helped 10 bring this
about"
'You?" he exclaimed ''Of course,
though, if you really did not love
him.
''That does not follow. You must
know did love him. But to find that
had for rival another breed girl
one not half so beautiful as II could
not endure the thought. You have
seen the proof that there is a good deal
of my mothers red grandfather in my
blood. No, I had to give him up, and
have decided to marry another man. ~
Another 7" echoed Hardy.
'Will you not congratulate meT'
she asked.
He rallied 'I congratulate him.
After what has happened, feel conf
one more worthy of you"
HE isl'' declared the girl, her glo-
rious eyes melting with tenderness.
He is far more worthy OF me than
am of him."
With an effort she recovered her cool
composure.
But now, before going, wish to
take this opportunity to discharge in
way the obligation that, as a member
of the tribe, I owe to yOu for your
services. 1 shall therefore return the
mine to you"
She held out a document. He
stepped back.
mo, Miss Dupont" he said 81 can
not accept it"
"You must. I took it from you.
Though 1 have used the income from
it not altogether for personal gratih-
cation, you must realize that my pride
will not permit me to keep 1t any
longer. Let me add that it has not
pinched out, as you may have inferred
from what 1 said at the ball 1t is g
bonanza"
Il regret that cannot accept 1t" he
replied. "a captains pay is quite suf-
fcient for a-bachelor."
| Marie gave him a mocking glance
Really now, Captain Hardy, you dc
not expect me to believe you win long
remain unmarriedT
He tried his best 70 conceal how he1
friyolity tortured him you may not
believe it, Miss Dupont. Yet it Is
true"
at is not" she cOntradicted- 'fWher
we were abroad. Pere and went tC
Monte Carlo. I fancy the gambling
spirit infected me. Let Us settle the
Ownership OF the mine with wager
If you do not marry this year, agree
TO keep it But IL you marry within
that tine, yea win accept It back from
me on your wedding day