Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1917-02-16

rIent of his second purpose had been
far less smooth. In fact, after months
of persistent endeavor, he could not
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 Eandervyn's alleged contract. 1t
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 Cor the coded
mineral lands.
Hardy had at first considered the
signatures forged. But examination
with q 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
Gus contract was to bring about either
an executive or Il congressional inveS-
tigation. There had been no difficulty
in Givining the manner i: which Van
deryyn had obtained the signatures at
the tribal council.
Yet so far his every move had been
blocked. He had interested one man
CT tficial position or influence after
another, only to be met later with eva
sion or prOcrastinatiOn or even out
right rehutfs. One door after another
had been shut in his face. At last lie
had found himself regarded as &
crank, than which. in Washington, no
more opprobrious term can be applied
10 G man.
vita Tie opening ol congress IL" IL
tiuCEcrS opposed 10 i!ln hul at last
been able to overcome the opposition
that had delayed trial Of tle cha: s4s
against HIM The aftGrMpon that he
came back to his shabby lodgings after
final attempt to obtain all Interview
with the chief OF the Indian bureau,
he was officially notified to appear the
following morning for trial by court
martial.
lie already knew the charges against
him. They included dcSprtIOn, failure
to report at Vancouver barracks and,
under the head of conduct unbecom-
ing an officer and gentleman, his con-
cea1mCnt Of the developed mine.
The nearncsS OF the trial brought
matters to d desperate pass with him.
He must act quickly.
1t was the night Of the first DaLl at
tie White House. As usual, there vas
Il great crush. Hardy, i'll conventional
evening dresS-n0t in official costume,
rs the regulations reQuifed-ln@l4tt&ed
in some mySteri manner to obtain
entrance The SCcrct-ScrVice men had
no instructions with regard to him,
and considerable time passed before
anyone inmcal to him needed his I'M
ObtruSiVe presence.
He, in turn, was SO intent upon ma
neuvering 10 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 beWiIdercd him, and his DOW
die not altogether hide the effects OF
the deIici0fs shock given him by her
dazzling beauty. But lie quickly re-
covered his sclf-p0sscssion when he
saw that she was with Vandcryyn.
That young man, though more boyish-
ly handsome than ever, bore himself
with rather q SulIcn air. He met Har-
dy's clear gaze with q forced smile.
The smile became still more forced
when The girl transferred her hand
from his arm to ILar,iyS.
"Only a very few minutes" she
soothed the disappointed lover.
"Whatcyer you say!' he deferred to
her caprice, and he drew back to speak
10 Il sharp-eycd man near the presi-
dent
Hardy was gazing into the wonder-
full blue-black eyes of his companion.
They were as inscrutuble as when lie
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 hcrc?
Her long lashes dropped and rose
again to disclose the same inScrutable
look.
$50 | have been told several times
Glrcady-I wished Il few moments
with YOU, that | might thank you for
your generosity. 1t has given ME the
great opportunity Of my trip abroad
ana this visit in Washington"
Il ain saving al the reports of your
social triumphs," he said. "They have
made me very happy"
Again the girls lashcs dropped.
THAT is good Of you- 1t is quite nee
esSary for me to become the rage--if
/ am to force recognition from Reg
gies relatives. lie says that, fortu-
nately, his liancce has become interest
ed in another man who is quite IS eli
gible as himself"
Iiardy's eyes contracted, yet he did
not falter:
''Sincc it will bring you happiness, !
wish hn-good fortune.
You do?" The question was al
most an exclamation. But the girl at
punn rauojpaI hnts pnjaf cntDnlGIIrn.