Meade County news., 1917-03-15

| DER out q squad OF p0llcemen to track
down the scoundrel. Jake can inter-
pret, If I'm unable to make them un-
derstand."
"Goodp said Hardy.
Vandervyn shot at Marie glance of
jealous anger, and put spurs to his
pinto. But when they reached the
valley and saw through the glasses the
squad of police only just leaving the
agency, Marie conjectured that the
jaded pinto had slowed to a walk
while going up the valley.
At last Marie and Hardy reached the
agency. With the assistance of Van
dervyn, who came out of the Dupont
house to meet them, he was helped
down from his mare to a cot in the
shady porch. Here in the open air
Marie washed the wound and took sew
eral stitches to draw the edges to-
gether.
During the operation, which Hardy
endured without a groan, Vandervyn
stood by, watching Marie's face with
sullen jealousy. The moment she had
rebandaged the wound, he suggested
that 1t would be well to leave Hardy
quiet. In reply she asked him to go
for ice. When he returned. he found
her sitting beside the cot, fan in hand.
Hardy had fallen asleep. She rose
and went into the house, and Wander
/ vyn followed her.
The young man made no attempt to
conceal his anger. He closed the par
lor door and turned upon her accus-
ingly. $50 that's what you've been up
to all the time I've been awayT
"Up to what, pray?"
"Coquetting with that old fossil of
tin soldier"
"Am I not a dutiful daughter?" the
girl parried. "Mon pere said 1 must
make myself agreeable to the agent"
"He did?"
"Why not go and ask him, If you
doubt what say?"
II don't. That's just it-damn it
ALP
The girls eyes flashed with resent
ment, but her voice was sweetly mock
ing: "Oh, Mr.. Vandervyn, how can
you? Captain Hardy never swore once
during all our delightful rides"
"You've been riding with him every
day%
"All except one. I've been sorry
ever since that 1 missed that one. He
was invariably courteous. He is
gentleman"
"You infer that am notW ex-
claimed Vandervyn. $50 he's courteous
and smooth and slick, is he? One
might know that you've been raised
in the backwoods."
"You forget 1 spent four years at
the capital Of Canada"
"In a convent! No wonder you've
let him play you"
The girl met the jeer with tantaliz-
ing smile.
ut has been a most amusing game.
He treats me with as much respect as
If were young lady Of his own set"
"There's no one else here for him to
flirt with"
"That Is an advantage, is 1t notW
The girl dropped into her English man.
ner. II daresay he will forget me as
soon as he gets back to civilization
unless decide to accept his proposal"
Vandervyn stared at her cynically.
'YOu needn't try to rag me, Marie"
She smiled. $50 you do doubt what
Y Vnk to, IIor orfx
did me the honor of declaring that he
wished to marry me-"
"Hardy asked you?-he, a captain
in the regular army"
"And a quarterbreed, the daughter
Of my father. Amazing, is It nOt?"
Vandervyn caught himself up as he
saw the proud humility of her express
sion. 1t was new look to him. He
had often seen her proud, but never
humble. His jealousy flared: "How
did you answer him? You didn't ac-
cept-you refused the old board
back ~
"Yes and no, that is, not yet" the
girl teased.
NdhNOAN Nyh olSppSu SlOSC uhN
grasped her arm.
"Be so kind as to release me, Mr..
Vandervyn."
"You cOquettel You're trying to
play me against him."
$50 that is what you think Of me"
The glrl wrenched herself free and
turned from him haughtily.
He stepped forward, and again
grasped her arm. His voice shook
with jealous anger: "You shall have
nothing to do with him He shall not
have your
"lndeed! May ask what right you
have to dIctate?"
"You love me, that is why" he flung
back at her. "You love me, Marie.
You can't deny it." His voice sank to
deep, ardent, golden note that sent
tremor through her. "You are mine
mine! You know it. Your arm
quivers-that look in your eyes! You
cannot hide your love, Marie-sweet-
heart"
He sought to embrace her. But
again she wrenched herself free from
him. She could no longer feign hau-
ko,v IIou foao ~.-oc roer, x,,fth