The Lamar register., 1917-02-21
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QUART[RBREED
BY
ROBERT AnES
BEWWET
Continued from page 81

Df- The privilege and pleasure are
LINE to inform the distinguished OIL
Ger that the war department has been
Jl.uSed to relieve him of this irksome
detail to grant him permission imme-
Ciately to join his regiment, which is
at Vancouver barracks, Washington,
under orders to sail for Alaska"
All eyes turned upon Hardy. Some
glinted with malice; others were cold.
Murie's alone were sympathetic. Hardy
glanced around the table with an i'm
perturbed look, and bowed to Wander
Vyn.
PRAY accept my acknowledgment
of the kindness with which you make
the announcement" he said, and he
turned to smile gravely into Marie's
troubled face. Il could have asked
for time to carry out our irrigation
plans. But, doubtless, the bureau will
find some one more competent than
myself"
"Will you not demonstrate against
this unjust order?' she exclaimed.
you forget that / am soldier" he
replied. Army life is life of serv-
ice. You will now understand why
most army women are army girls be
fore they are army wives"
"Ah-but II a woman lovesw muir
INJURED Marie, and her gaze sank with
the dropping OF her silken lids. ALAS
ka must be magnificent land to Wis
it"
Vandervyn was bending to seat him
self He Strengthened as II struck.
The suddenness Of the movement drew
all eyes back TO him. His wine-flushed
face had gone white. He met the won
dering look of the man opposite, and
forced smile.
Il have still another announcement
to make" he said, zone that you will
all admit to be still more pleasant than
the delightful news OF our gallant
friends summons to wider fields of
service. Gentlemen-and lady-per-
NIT me to remind you that all the
world loves a lover. This being true,
II follows that all the world must dou-
bly, love pair of lovers. 1t is my
privilege and delight to be able to an
nounce that, as l am not at present
free to engage myself, the other menu
Der of the pair, our charming hostess,
has graciously given her promise to
wait for me-"
He caught up his champagne glass,
which the Indian boy had just reflled.
Gentlemen, here's to the loveliest
girl in the world, the lady who has
given me her true promisei"
The commissioners rose-Dupont
rose. Hardy sat as II stunned. his eyes
fixed upon Marie's face in a strained,
half-lncredulous stare. She was very
pale. She seemed TO shrink. Yet she
made no attempt to deny Vandervyns
statements. Hardy stood up with the
other men and. for the first time that
evening, he emptied his champagne
glass.
Youth to youth ~ he murmured.
Meeting Vandervyn's exultant smile.
he drew in n deep breath, and his voice
rang clear and steady: "You are to
be congratulated, sir. l wish you the
great good fortune that you may in all
things prove worthy Of the lady's
trust"
Vandervyn's flushed face crimsoned,
but whether with shame or anger could
not be told. Marie had risen, and her
tactfulness diverted attention from the
rivals.
''The coffee and cigars will be served
In the parlor," she announced.
Vandervyn somewhat hastily led the
way to the other room. Hardy, being
the farthest away, followed behind the
others. When he came to the door he
coolly closed and bolted Il.
Captain" breathlessly exclaimed
Marie. What will they think?"
Most of them are beyond thinking,
and they have the whisky bottle" he
replied. He faced about, and came
back to her.
She shrank before the look In his
eyes.
'You-you have no rightr' she muir
INJURED. Il will go"
Not until you have heard me. There
may be no other opportunity for me to
see you alone before 1 go away" he
said. II do not wish TO reproach you.
Yet you must realize that your failure
to tell me of your promise to him led
me to believe had fighting chance. "
"You-do not-ask me to explain, a"
she faltered.
what is there to explain?" he re-
Joined. you knew that l trusted
..x.,u and