Meade County news., 1917-04-05

Just price for their mineral lands.
Don't look so shocked, Miss Canada.
It's the regular way such things are
handled in all representative govern
ments-ours, the Canadian and Eng
lish parliaments, the German, the
French-all the same"
The girls eyes clouded. II do not
like to hear you speak in that cynical
tone."S
"Oh. it's not because 1 don't be-
lieve in democratic government. In
despotic countries the regular proce-
dure would be for the officials to take
the bulk of the appropriation, and
give the tribe the percentage-or
nothing"
II cannot believe that even your
government will permit its officials to
rob either the tribe or the people of
the country" declared Marie. "There
cannot be majority Of dishonest con-
gressmen."
"No; the big majority are honest
fools. They are managed by means of
committees and the plea of party 10y
atty and log-rolling. But that's not
my fault, sweetheart. You know +"
II know you've yet to receive per-
mission to call me thatl" broke in the
girl.
Vandervyn bit his lip. "You forget
l am going away"
"Back to Washington-and your
fianceel"
"Quite true. And I'm going to stay,
unless there is some inducement for
me to return here" he rejoined.
1t was Marie's turn to bite her lip,
'How can you say that, when you
know that THAT L"
'I told you how it was, and why
cannot break off with her until
He stepped nearer, his eyes aglow
with passionate aliurement. "You
know love you, Only you, Marie
And yon love me, sweetheart"
Under the enticement of his soft
eyes and pleading voice, all her re.
serve melted. Instead of eluding his
advance, she swayed forward, and per.
mitted him to take her in his arms
He crushed her to him, and showered
kisses on her lips and blushing cheeks
upon her dusky hair when, over
come, she pressed her face against
his shoulder.
He quivered with the Joy Of mas
terry and possession. "You are mine
mine Say It'll"
T-I will marry you" she whis
pered. >'-
Submissive and loving as was the
reply, 1t struck the ardent smile from
Vandervyn's face. His embrace re
laxed,; and for moment he stood
staring over the girls head, his liz
between his teeth.
T-love your she murmured
quick to sense the change that hat
come upon him.
At the candid confession his eyes
again glowed, and again he crushed
her to him.
"You love mel You own itW ht
cried. "You are miner
"Now
With a sudden, violent thrust fol
which he was all unprepared, she
burst from his clasp and sprang clear
of him.
"What is it?" he muttered, staring
at her, half bewildered.
"Ohw she cried. "It was the way
you Obi! how could your" She
put up her hands, like child, to hide
the scarlet that famed in her cheeks
go, please go! You have made me
tell And have promised to marry
you-when you come back"
''If I do come back" qualified Van
dervyn in flash Of chagrin.
Marie drew herself up to her full
height, the color ebbing from her face
Her voice was as cold as her eyes
do you wish to free me from my
prOmise?"
"Neyer" he burst out. "You'd give
yourself to Hardy. He shan't have
you. You've promised-you said it.
"Not now-not yet-not until yor
come back to me, free from YOU
cousin. Leave me, asked you to CO.
When he perceived the look in hel
eyes, he picked up his hat and lef
the house without attempting to argue
She closed the door, and hastenet
into her dainty little bedroom, t.
sink on her knees before the cruelty
at the foot of her bed.