The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-03-24
CHAPTER XIII.
a Wedding Postponed.

Vandervyn'S face darkened with sus-
picion.
eff you're not playing me then he
has lied to you, in order to get away
from u.s."
Marie's lips curved in a half-smile.
HE gave me his word of honor. Do
you doubt it?"
The young mans jaw dropped slack.
He could not even pretend to doubt
her statement or Hardy's word. He
looked down, his brOws knotted and
eyes contracted with intense thought.
Dupont took the news in a far diff
ferent manner.
'By Carl" he exu1ted. Hes going
to give you the mine? You're dead
sure of it? By Carl I call that
mighty square of Cap. It's white !
And me a-thinking he done it all to
git back at US. It sure is white of
Cap. Why, it's nearly the same like
he had give it to mel"
"He named only one condition." re-
marked Marie.
Vandervyn started, and looked up at
her. She met him with a level glance
that told nothing of what she was
thinking.
"One condition." she repeated. sit
was my promise not to give you any
share in the mine'
me" queried Dupont.
NO.
81 see," threatened Vandervyn. HE
thinks to force you from having any
thing to do with me-"
ION the contrary, he seemed to think
it wOuld-not prevent our marrying -
Vandervyn stared in bewilderment.
Hardy's action seemed incredible.
Then he thought he perceived the ex-
PLANTATION, and rallied from his per-
plexity. His frown gave place to a
cynical smile.
"O-hO, my lady! see. You worked
him with the soft pedal-the saphead !
The easy mark! He's just the kind of
/ duffer to fall for the wall of q pretty
| girl with a tear in her eye and a qua
yer in her throat. Good for you, sweet
heart! You beat him at his own game.
He tried bluff, thinking you'd be silly
enough to throw me over for him.
You called him, and he had to make
good. The foOl-tO think you'd be
| soft enough to turn from me to him,
just because he made a play to the
galleries with his offerI Oh, what
an easymark! %
as that exactly the right term ~
calmly inquired the girl.
None better % exulted Vandervyn
"He made you promise not to give me
a share in the mine. Mining property
is real estate. An agreement in regard
to real estate is not binding unless in
writing
Marie's tranquil face took on an ex
preston of artless concern. "Oh
really? Then his promise to give me
the mine is not binding"
Don't worry" treasured Vandervyn
He will keep his word. You are sure
of the mine"
But, of course, if I take back my
promise, it will be no more than fail
to give him the chance to take bacl
his" she innocently remarked.
''Not at all, sweetheart" he replied
you can do as you please A WON
ans promises are not considered bind
ing-in business matters. Legally, IL
most of the states, she is rated as
, | minor"
"Wimmen amt minors no longer IL
our state" interjected Dupont.
THANK you for reminding me
Pere," said his daughter. She locke:
, at Vandervyn with naive seriousness
. $50 you see must keep my promise
. "Oh, say now, don't be a" h
detected something behind her look o
childlike artlessness, and FASTENED {
concede the point. But OF course /
you feel that way about It'll You vii
! not have to break your promise after
The law viii then make your propert
! mine. So that is settled, sweetheart
D Now comes the main question. Whe
t shall we be married?'
e The girl quivered at the word. b
t stepped close. and looked into he
e eyes, his own glowing golden with 81
: dor. She dropped her gaze, and dre7
back from him as If confused by tn
suddenness OF his proposal
;. -I-must think" she murmure.
/. ''Would it not be best to-wait unit
o he has given me the miner"
a mot when you have his word thu
o he viii do 1t. Anyway, there's 4
z harm in naming the day. Come. mai
4 1t an early onei"
s The girls rich color deepened vii
s a blush.
d @Not nowI" she replied. struggIir
to recover her composare. ssYou mu
5. wait. Perhaps tomorrew-hut 10