The Ely miner., 1917-02-23
CHAPTER XIII.
a wAddip0 Doe$pnoad

A Wedding Postponed.
Vandervyn's face daBkened with sus-
picion.
"If you're not playing me then he
has lied to you, in order to get away
from u.s.
Marie's lips curved in 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 q far diff
ferent manner.
"By Carr he exulted. "He's 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. 1t sure is white of
Cap. Why, it's nearly the same like
he had give it to mew
"He named only one condition." re-
marked Marie.
Vandervyn started, and looked up at
her. She met him with level glance
that told nothing Of what she was
thinking.
"One condition." she repeated. 'It
was my promise not to give you any
share in the mine."
"Me?" uueried DupOnt.
"No."
II see," threatened Vandervyn. "He
thinks to force you from having any
thing to do with me-"
"On 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-
planation, and rallied from his per-
plexity. His frown gave place to a
cynical smile.
"O-ho, my ladyi 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 a pretty
girl with 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 play to the
galleries with his offer! Oh, what
an easymark ~
''Is that exactly the right term?
calmly inquired the girl.
'None better!" exulted Vandervyn.
"He made you promise not to give me
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" reassured Vandervyn.
"He will keep his word. You are sure
Of the NINE"
'But, Of course, if I take back my
promise, it will be no more than fair
to give him the chance to take back
his" she innocently remarked.
mot at all, sweetheart" he replied.
"You can do as you please. A wom-
ans promises are not considered bind
ing-in business matters. Legally, in
most Of the states, she is rated as a
minor"
"Wimmen amt minors no longer in
our state" interjected Dupont.
"Thank you for reminding me,
Pere," said his daughter. She looked
at Vandervyn with naive seriousness.
$50 you see must keep my promise" !"
"Oh, I say now, don't be "a" He
detected something behind her look Of
childlike artlessness, and fastened to
concede the point. 'But of course If
you feel that way about it! You will
not have to break your promise after
The law will then make your property
mine. So that is settled, sweetheart.
Now comes the main question. When
shall VIC be married?"
Tbs girl quivered at the word. He
stepped close, and looked into her
eyes, his own glowing golden with ar
dor. She dropped her gaze, and drew
back from him as if confused by the
suddenness of his proposal.
'T-must think" she murmured.
"Would it not be best to-wait until
he has given me the mine?"
"Not when Won have his word tho
he will do it. Anyway, there's no
harm in naming the day. Come, make
it an early one!"
The girls rich color deepened with
q blush.
"Not now!" she replied, struggling
to recover her composure. "You must
wait. Perhaps tomorrow-but now