Williams news., 1917-05-03
CHAPTER XXI.
The Owner of the Mine.

The Owner of the Mine.
 At that moment Vandervyn loped up over the edge of the terrace, waving his hat to Marie. Then he caught sight of Hardy, over beyond the girl, and the exultant yell died on his lips. He put the curb on his pony, and sprang off beside Dupont and the girl, his face frightful with rage.
 His voice was high-pitched and light. almost airy: "So-he cut across afoot! He thought to do me!''
 "Has, you mean!" snarled Dupont. ''Got his notices posted. That's his last stake"
 Vandervyn whirled and snatched his rifle from it's saddle sheath. Marie caught her fathers arm to drag him aside; but he was already backing away, his eyes fixed apprehensively on Hardy. It was time for bullets to come streaming from the automatic pistol. Hardy could have drawn and opened fire while Vandervyn was free ing his rife.
 To the astonishment of all three, Hardy made no attempt to "get the drop" on his opponent. Instead, he started to advance upon Vandervyn at quick, deliberate pace, his hands hanging empty at his sides, his face calrl and stern.
 "Put down that gun '" he command ed.
 Fandervyn was 1eveling the rifle He took aim straight between Hardy's eyes. His finger kissed the trigger. The slightest twitch would have sent the bullet crashing through Hardy's. brain, and the slightest sign of fear or hesitancy on Hardy's part would have caused that twitch. He was looking death in the face. vandervyn was in a murderous fury. Yet Hardy came oH-quick, steady, absolutely calm. His gaze passed above the deadly muzzle, along the foreshortened barrel, to the narrow iidded, bloOdshot eyes of Vandervyn. His voice rang out again, clear and sharp with authority: "Put down that rif1e-put 1t down. sir!"
 The muscles of Vandervyn's neck twitched. Along the top of the barrel he was glaring back at Hardy-glar- ing into those hazel eyes that met his fury with the clear, cool gaze of absolute courage. The sheer nerve of that steady approach to his rife muzzle compelled him to pause. It disconcerted him; it struck a chill into the heat of his frenzy.
 Still Hardy advanced, swift and steady, his gaze never so much as | I,fe nd forohood close beyond the foresight of the rifle, appeared enormously enlarged to Van dervyn's distorted vision. Steadily Hardy put up his hand, took hold of the rife barrel, and turned the muzzle aside.
 "Ah-h-hr" gasped Marie.
 Hardy drew the rifle out of Wander vyn's relaxing grasp.
 "Stand aside, sir !' he quietly conn., handed. "I wish to speak alone with Miss Dupont"
 Vanderyyn had parted with his rifle as if dazed. At the sound of Hardy's voice fresh wave of crimson flooded his face. He stepped back, and jerkedl out his revolver. Hardy leaped upon. him like a panther, and struck the. weapon aside. The. heavy bullet whizzed past Hardy's head. A moment later, Vandervyn, though the younger and perhaps the stronger of the two, reeled away, clutching his lacerated trigger finger. Hardy stood with the revolver in his hand. He turned to Marie.
 May I ask for a few words alone with you?"
 "No!" Vandervyn hoarsely forbade the girl. You shall not speak with him. Jake, you're her father-tel her she shall not"
 "You know she don't never mind what say," mumbled Dupont. "Any- way, it sort of looks like Cap is run hing this here shindy."
 Hardy had not glanced away from Marie. Throughout that supreme test of the will power and courage of her two lovers, she had stood tense and silent, as if spellbound. She now looked from one to the other, her face lnscrutably calm, her black eyes fath-. OmleSs.
 q will hear what Captain Hardy has to say" she said.
 Hardy motioned her father and Van- dervyn toward the mine dump. They obeyed.
 we are alone," said Marie.
 Hardy smiled. "I won the race"
 ''Was it fair, cutting across coun- try"
 Fair? Then you did not know of his scheme"
 What scheme? I do not under stand"
 ''It does not now matter. won the race and-the mine."
 "Do you expect me to rejoice with you?" asked the girl. "It has cost my father his half of the mine."
 How so? He is not an entryman."
 Reggie gave him a deed to half