The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-10-25

"You do not regret saving my life"
asserted Hardy.
"Well mebbc not. Jul. . the nm
It's mighty hard luck on us. Here we
went and blocked cut all that there
ore-thrcc hundred thousand dollars
as good Is In our pockets-not to
speak of all that's down under and
t'othcr side the shaft. For all va know,
1t runs clean through the mountain
and down to China"
"Thnt does not ~,er the situation"
said Hardy.
"Mcbbe It don't, nni then ag'in-"
Dupont began to scratch his head.
Eyes, mcbbc 1t don't. and then, ag'in,
mcbbc II does. Just you take n look
Mt II this way, Cap. Suppose that new
treaty goes through, the tribe don't
cit nothing u Of this mine. and We
don't, neither. Just some lucky bum
beats us to It, and the government says
It's hisn. Is that fair and square?"
you have acted outside the law"
said Hardy. "You must take your
chances with other ~locntOrs."
"Ilow about the trlbc?" qucried Du-
pont. "Don't you care nothing about
| their interests? Just suppoSinG you
and inc md Mr.. Van tonk hold u: this
here proposition for the tribe and split
even with them on the proceeds. call
hat n square deal to them and us. too
and / know Marie would think the
ame She likes you, Cap. Just show
her you want to do what's best for al
concerned, and I'm dead sure she"
"Stop!" commanded Hardy. leave
your daughter out Of this"
"You've got to tell me how I'm
going to do It," replied Dupont In III
injured tone. "If | don't git my share
In the mine, Mr.. Van can't afford t.
take her; and you won't have no
show. But you git In right with Marie,
and she'd work her hands to the bone
for you. She amt no common breed
girl, neither. You know that. Shed
be n real lady, II she had money
only you amt going to give her no
chance"
"She knows that I wish to marry
her." said Hardy.
Think she believes that when
you're going to rob me and her of u
%iortunc2"
Hardy looked directly ut the temp
ter, his eyes clear and rcsolute, though
his face was white and drawn. at is
Of no use, Dupont. / shall do what
consider my duty"
Dupont's face darkened. $50 that's
what | git for saving your life. You
amt got n particle of gratitude, aud
you don't care n hang about her"
II must beg to differ with you," said
Hardy. "But l cannot expect you to
understand my position"
Dupont drew out his pipe and re-
turned to his seat ON the mlnc.dump
to brood on his wrongs in morose ST.
lcncc. Hardy thoughtfuily walked
back to the cabin. drew ont n writira
pad from one OF his saddlebags ant
began to draft II semiOficinl letter t.
the most influential of his few ac'
quuintanccs In Washington.
lie soon became so intent that h,
did not notice the half dozen figures
In dark blue uniform that came swing
Ing down the PERCEPTIONS "ilountaIn
side above the terrace. When ut last
he finished the letter and looked up
he saw all the members of the police
escort drawn up In line before him
their swarthy faces alight with r"
spcctful fricndlincss. Their sergeant
uttered n cultural word Of %salutatiun
and began making signs.
Hardy smiled, shook his head, Nnt
looked around for M Interpreter. Du
pont still sat sIliIng on the min,
dump, but Marie and Nandcrvyr
were coming back up the mountain
side. They appeared only n few
yards away, as Hardy glanced about
Ills lips drew tense wien he per
celvcd the girls happy bushes and
the look with which vandcryyn was
regarding her half uvcrtcd face.
At sight OF Hardy she Strengthened
with proud disduin, and would have
Immediately gone arOun! into The
cabin had he not spoken.
pardon me, Miss Dupont. These
men wish To report To Ile, May / ash
you to interpret for thcm?'
The girl turned coldly to the SER
geant, who ut one poured IA an i'm
FASHIONED defamation, emphasized
with swlft-formed signs. He was still
talking, when Dupont sullenly sham
blcd over from tho m%ine-dump. His
discontinued face darkened still NOR,
when he came within hearing Of tn,
speakers.
At last the sergeant finished his I'm
promptu GRAFTON. Without looking a
Hardy. Marie gave the substance Of
the speech with contemptuous curt
ness: