Williams news., 1917-04-19

You've Been Letting Marie Get Thick With Him."
 officers to realize that he would never marry-a quarterbreed?"
 Dupont's crafty eyes narrowed. 'I'm not so all-fired sure of that. There's lots of lem has married even half breeds. I've seen 'em."
 Years ago, when the frontier was | months away from civilization"
 "Mebbe, and mebbe them breed girls wasn't tenth as good lockers as Marie. She's lady," Vandervyn's lip curled. eff you must have the gaff, Jake-how about your self? Do you think an officer son-ih- law would care to have you visiting him at an army post?"
 Dupont scowled. "Well, there ain't been no harm done, and you're back now."
 Quite true. But his attentions have put Marie on her high horse. I wish you to take a stand against him and back me up with her." You sure can count me in on that, Mir. Van," eagerly assented Dupont.
 "All right. I've got him fixed. But l wanted to make sure of your backing. If he comes to dinner tonight I'll have gay little surprise or two up my sleeve for him."
 q been waiting to ask you about the mine. How're we going to work the deal?"
 We've got to make a show of a real contest. It's to be run on the old style rush plan."
 Suppose one of them there men at the butte has the best horse?' Vandervyn thrust out his jaw. Don't fash yourself. I'm going to have that mine. This is my idea of the way we'll fix it.p He leaned over and murmured in Dupont's ear. The trader shook his head. "Um-m I'm not saying that mightn't work. Just the same, though, it'd make you the only one what could do the enter ing. I'd be a sooner"
 'The mine would be entered by me, but of course we would have the un- derstanding that you were to get your half," replied Vandervyn. He stepped briskly to the dooI~ Come, I guess the bunch has had time enough to cool their heels."
 l Still frowning dubiously, Dupont fol- lowed him over to the office, where Hardy and the commissioners sat wait ing for them, stiff and constrained. l Hardy at once addressed Vandervyn |: Be so kind as to open the safe and lay before these commissioners every pub | lie paper in the office. They decline to show me their authority for an inspec- ton of my accounts. Therefore I have declined to make an official presenta- tion to them of agency affairs. There is nothing to conceal from any in- quirer. You may hand every document to these persons-in my presence"
 Vandervyn nonchalantly shrugged, and went over to open the safe. One of the commissioners remarked in an officious tone: "Where is the issue clerk? He ought to be present to ex- plain his accounts"
 ''That's Charlie Redbear, gentle man-the interpreter" explained Du- pont. "He lit out with his sister, down the creek to his house, when we was eating. Want me to send for him? You'll need him to make your official talk to the chiefs"
 "You will do as well for that, Jake" interposed Vandervyn. Besides, be- lieve the commissioners will wish to put off the powwowing until tomor- row. It's tiresome trip across from the railroad. No doubt they will glance through the agency papers, and then go over to your house to plan the opening of the mineral Iands."
 The big, blear-eved man who had ridden in the front seat of the car, nod ded and replied in an oily tone: "If you assure us the accounts are cor rect. MT. Vandervyn, think it is need less trouble at this time to make fur ther investigation"
 "Still, oughtn't we to-" One of the commissioners began a querulous ob- lection. But his fellows were rising to leave the office, and he bent to the will of the majority.
 Hardy bowed them out with pune tiliouS courtesy. He was still working when Marie's Indian boy brought word that she wished him to come to din- ner without fail. He hesitated, but at last sent back the reply that he would be present.
 Having in mind the cold and almost insulting manner of the visitors, he cut his arrival as close as possible. This proved to be fl tactful move Though the newcomers were all mellow with whisky, chilling silence followed the entrance ef the acting agent. Even