Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-01-16
CHAPTER XIII.
A Wedding Postponed.

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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 a far diff
ferent manner.
by Carl" he exulted. 'He's going
to give you the mine? You're dead
sure Of it? By Carl l 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 me!''
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.
Zone condition." she repeated. ut
was my promise not to give you any
share in the NINE"
"Me?" queried Dupont.
"No."
Il 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-
PLANTATION, and rallied from his per-
plexity. His frown gave place to a
cynical smile.
"O-ho, my lady! 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 bf a pretty
girl with a tear in her eye and a qua
yer in her throat. Good for you, sweet
heartl 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 mad to make
good. The fool-tO think you'd be
soft enough to turn from me to him,
just because he made a play to the
galleries with his offerI Oh, what
an easymark !"
as 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"
'sDon't worry" treasured Vandervyn.
''He will keep his word. You are sure
of the mine"
But, OF course, If I take back my
promise, 1t 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"
Anl1OLS nO lOuHeE
our state" interjected Dupont.
THANK you for reminding me.
PEREZ" said his daughter. She looked
at Vandervyn with naive seriousness.
$50 you see must keep my promise"
''Oh. 1 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'll You will
not have to break your promise after
The law VIII then make your property
mine So that is settled, sweetheart.
Now comes the main question. When
shall we be marrieur'
The 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 il confused by the
suddenness of his proposal.
"I-muSt think" she murmured.
"would 1t not be best to-wait until
he has given me the miner"
rNot when you have his word that
he will do it. Anyway, there's no
harm in naming the day. Come. make
it an early onel"
The girls rich color deepened with
a blush.
"Not nowi" she replied, struggling
to recover her composure. "You must
wait. Perhaps tomorrow-but now
T." She glanced around as if looking
for a way of escape. There was no
promise of succor in her fathers COM
placent grin. Her gaze darted down
into the valley; it rested upon the en-
camping Indians. Look" she muir
INJURED. THAT is Thunderbolt's tepee.
i am going down to see him. He should
be told that he may be prosecuted If
he hunts here now. 1t is no longer
tribal land"
There's no need, sweetheart" said
Vandervyn. Il will see to il that no
one interferes with the chief and his
band"
Il shall go down and tell him." she
insisted. mo. do not come with me-"
He frowned at her willfulness.
shrugged, and turned TO Dupont
Come into the cabin. Jake. and
give me a drop of something he
urged. 'rm dry as bone. :. That
ride wasn't any iokei"
Marie was already Fastening down
the mountain slope into ISe valley.
When she came TO the camp. she was
received with pleasant greetings. The
keen eyes of the Indians had long
ago perceived and recognized the white
people on the terrace.
The venerable figure of Ti-owa-
konza appeared in the entrance of the
biggest tepee. He disappeared. A
moment later three women came out
- &ta %aY,ao end ono ~ than, f.,l5