The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1917-03-08
CHAPTER XVI.


NuNCu W u NOOA OA NhS AASAS'
1t led him into stenographers' room.
He saw the flOunce of wOman's skirt
behind 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.
"One moment, Captain Hardy
your sentence"
He turned and faced the presidents
aide with the clear, untlinching gaze
of brave man about to be shot. The
aide saluted with punctilious formal
| ity. Hardy responded with equal for
mality. 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, halfmOcking
face of Marie.
Are you afraid 10 read your SEN
tence" she taunted. Had it not been
for you, he would have had the mine
and 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
creGulity that came into his face, her
eyes flashed under the lowering veil of
their long lashes. He stared up at her,
but was too daZed to perceive the
change in her expression.
Acquitted - honOrably - on all
charges" he murmured. ION all
charges-! Honorable mention recon.
mended-Approved-the President"
Marie smiled with cool condescen'
sion.
Merely 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. l take
credit for having helped to bring this
about"
"You" he exclaimed. "Of course
though, if you really did not love
him"
"That does not follow. You mus
know did love him. But to find thai
had for rival another breed girl
one not half so beautiful as II cOulC
not endure the thought. You have
seen the proof that there is good dea
Of my mothers red grandfather in my
blood. No. had to give him up, ant
l have decided to marry another man.
Another" echoed Hardy.
"Will you not congratulate me?'
she asked. .
He rallied. 81 congratulate him
After what has happened, feel conf
dent that you must have chosen some
one more worthy of you"
"He is" declared the girl, her glo
rious eyes melting with tenderness
HE is far more worthy of me than
ain of him!"
With an effort she recovered her coo
comp0ure.
"But now, before going, l wish tt
take this opportunity to discharge IL
a way the obligation that, as member
of the tribe, owe to you for you
services. l shall therefore return thu
mine to YOU"
She held out a document. 'Ht
stepped back.
"No, Miss Dupont" he said. Il can
not accept it."
"You must. l took it from you
Though have used the income from
it not altogether for personal gratifi
cation, you must realize that my pride
will not permit me to keep it an!
longer. Let me add that 1t has no
pinched out as you may have inferred
from what / said at the ball. 1t is {
bonanza"
II regret that cannot accept 1t" h
replied. "a captains pay is quite suf
ficient for a-bachelor."
Marie gave him mocking glance
Really now, Captain Hardy, you d.
not expect me to believe you will lonI
remain unmarried?"
He tried his best to conceal how he
frivolity tortured him. "YOu may no
believe it, Miss Dupont. Yet it 4
true"
ut is not" she contradicted. "Whel
we were abroad, Pere and / went t,
Monte Carlo. fancy the gambling
spirit infected me. Let us settle tn
ownership of the mine with wager
If you do not marry this year, agre
to keep 1t. But If you marry withil
that time, you will accep: !. back frou
me on your wedding day."