Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1917-06-14
CHAPTER xxlv-continued.

11c, III luIu, WIS 81 lulcL1L upOu Aud'
neuvcrlng to have himself spoken to
by that most genial of hosts, the
president, that he failed to see Marie
until she spoke to him. The first sight
of her bewildered him, and his bow
did not altogether hide the effects of
the delicious shock given him by her
dazzling beauty. But he quickly re-
saw that she was with Vandervyn.
That young man, though more boyish-
ly handsome than ever, bore himself
with rather a sullen air. He met Har-
dy's clear gaze with forced smile.
The smile became still more forced
when the girl transferred her hand
from his arm to Hardy's.
"Only very few minutes" she
soothed the disappointed lover.
"Whatever you say!" he deferred to
her caprice, and he drew back to speak
to sharp-eyed man near the presl-
dent.
Hardy was gazing into the wonder
full blue-black eyes of his companion.
They We're rs iDscrutable as when he
had Inst looked into their depths. He
tried to speak calmly, but his voice
shook.
do you know that you are by for
the most beautiful woman here?'
Her long lnshes dropped and rose
egain to disclose the same inscrutable
look.
$50 I have been tote several times
nlready-I wished n few moments
with you, that might thank yod for
your generosity. 1t has given me the
great opportunity of my trip abroad
and this visit in Washington"
II am saving all the reports Of yodr
social triumphs," he said. "They have
made me very happy"
Again the girls lashes dropped.
''That is good of YOU 1t is quite nee
essary for me to become the ruge-if
am to force u recognition from Reg
giles relatives. He says that, fortu-
nately, his tiancee has become interest
ed in another man who is quite as ell
glhle as himself"
llarly's eyes contracted, yet he did
not fulter:
"Since it will bring you happiness,
.-wish hlm-good fortune"
"You do?" The question was al
most an exclamation. But the girl ut
once regained her quiet composure.
81 do not understand. If you wish him
good fortune, why then do you seek
to prevent him from receiving his
compensation us attorney for the
tribe?"
II said good fortune" replied Har-
dy. "Any money paid him on that
contract would be tainted"
Marie arched her black eyebrows.
els it not true that he will get through
much larger appropriation than 9TH
erwise would have been made?"
"The lands are fully worth the
amount agreed upon," stated Hardy.
'"rhe tribe should receive all the up
preparation. Honest lobbying would
carry the bill through at a cost of q
few hundred dollars. These supposed
friends of the tribe want millions"
"Do you wish to deprive me Of the
SHIRE that I would receive through
him?"
"Yes-of every dishonest dollar"
Suid Hardy, his mouth stern, though
his eyes besought her to forgive his
halbhness. "You have enough al-
ready"
Are you certain?" she rejoined.
"You may have heard that mines often
pinch out or run into vnlueless ore
You can guess why Pere and I have
told no one, least of oil Reggie"
Hardy remained mistaken. IF he
IS worthy of you, that will make no
difference to him."
"But myself? am already used to
luxury" pleaded the girl.
"Down In your heart you know the
values in life that are real" he said.
"You do not wish for wealth gained
through fraud"
Il have not admitted that there is
any fraud in the contract"
perhaps it is as WE'LL" he remarked.
You should not doubt your future
husband"
She flashed him an odd, qulzzlcal
look. mo, I cannot doubt my future
husband now, Captain Hardy. l must
believe in him If I am to be happy,
must not?"
"Yes," agreed Hardy.
She uttered gay little trill OF
laughter.
'That is SO good Of you to say It.
Captain! 1t makes me feel that ]
really must do something for you In
return. May not offer you q little
loan Of, say, three or four thousand
dollars? 1 understand that, for some
strange reason-or unreason-yor
have refused your pay as captain"
MY resignation has not been with
drawn. and am engaged in privat,
enterprise. I cannot draw pay as al
officer in the SERVICE" explaine'
Hardy.
"Few would be SO quixotic," she al
xued. "Most would make the excus
that an attempt to Illustrate what the
considered wrong to others is not t
be considered private enterprise"