Williams news., 1917-05-17
correct and conventional of terms.

of persistent endeavOr, he could nOI be sure that he had made any prog ress whatever. He had not been bar red from an inspection of the docu ments relating to the new treaty with the tribe, and among them he had found Vandervyn's alleged contract. Ii purported to appoint the young man attorney and tribal representative and to fix his compensation at twenty per cent of any moneys appropriated to the tribe in payment for the ceded mineral lands.
 Hardy had at first considered the signatures forged. But examination with microscope had shown him that the thumb prints were identical with those on the memorandum of the pro- ceedings of the tribal council. He had been quick to perceive that his only chance of defeating the outrage ous contract was to bring about either an executive or a congressional inves- l tigation. There had been no difficulty In divining the manner in which Van | dervyn had obtained the signatures al the tribal council.
 Yet so far his every move had been blocked. He had interested one man of official position or influence after another, only to be met later with eva sion or procrastination or even out right rebuffs. One door after another had been shut in his face. At last he had found himself regarded as a | crank, than which, in Washington, no 1 more opprobrious term can be applied to 2 rnnr-
 With the ofening of congress the in- fluences opposed to him had at last been able to overcome the opposition that had delayed a trial of the charges against him. The afternoon that he came back to his shabby lodgings after a final attempt to obtain an interview with the chief of the Indian bureau, he was officially notified to appear the following morning for trial by court martial.
 He already knew the charges against him. They included desertion, failure to report at Vancouver barracks and, under the head of conduct unbecom- ing an officer and gentleman, his cen cealment of the developed mine.
 4AC ACdi llcSS Ol IuS llldl DlOuSIII matters to a desperate pass with him. He must act quick.
 It was the night of the first ball at the White House. As usual, there was a great crush. Hardy, in conventional evening uresS-not in official costume, nS the regulations equired-manased in some mysterious manner to obtain entrance. The secret-Service men had no instructions with regard to him, and considerable time passed before anyone inimical to him needed his un- Obtrusive presence.
 He, in turn, was so intent upon ma Eeuverin3 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- covered his self-possession when he saw that she was with Vandervyn. That young man, though more boyisb- ly handsome than everr bore himself with rather 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 a very few 1ninutes,'' she soothed the disappointed lover.
 "Whatever you say!' he deferred to her caprice, and he drew back to speak to a sharp-eyed man near the presi- dent.
 Hardy was gazing into the wonder ful blue-black eyes of his companion. They were as inscrutable as when he had last looked into their depths. He tried to speak calmly, but his voice shook.
 Do you know that you are by far the most beautiful woman here?"
 Her long lashes dropped and rose again to disclose the same inscrutable look.
 'So I have been told several times nlready-I wished few moments with you, that I might thank you for your generosity. It has given me the great opportunity of my trip abroad and this visit in Washington"
 "I am saving all the reports of your social triumphs," he said. '"They have made me very happy"
 Again the girls lashes dropped. That is good of you It is quite nee essary for ne to become the rage-if 1 am to force d recognition from Reg gie's relatives. He says that, fortu- nately, his tiancee has become interest ed in another man who is quite as eli gi5lc as himself"
 Hardy's eyes contracted, yet he did not falter:
 Since it will bring you happiness, wish him-goOd fOrtune.'
 You dO?" The question was all