The sudden change from meekness
won a hasty assurance from Vander
vyn: "Of course I am. It will be a
fearfully long time to be without you,
if you insist upon But I could run
over and see you in England or
France."
"No," she refused. "I wish you to
stay and work for the good of my
people. Pere and I still are members
of the tribe, you know, and I am deep
ly interested in the Irrigation project
laid out by Captain Hardy."
Vandervyn smiled in his most boyish
manner.
"I am neither an engineer nor an
army ofllcer. Someone else must dig
the ditches. I shall at once go on to
Washington and prepare for the pas
sage oi the appropriation. It's going
to slide through as soon as congress
meets."
"And then I shall come over from
Paris. You will break off your engage
ment with your cousin and we No, no,
sir! not a single kissnot one until
you are free, and I set the day. I am
an heiress now, and must act accord
ingly. Besides, here is Pere with the
horses. We must be starting."
CHAPTER XXIV.
Tilting at Windmills.
The enrly winter rains that followed
an ideal Indian summer at the national
capital were chill and sleety. But con
gress was now in session, and Wash
ington was bright and gay with the
activities of officialdom and official so
ciety.
