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About The North Platte semi-weekly tribune. (North Platte, Neb.) 1895-1922 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 23, 1917)
THE SEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE, NORTH PLATTE, NEBRAQKA. The Quarterhreed a An Indian Reservation Tale by ROBERT The three preceding Installments described the rescue of a quarterbreed girl and two men from an Indian attack at tho edge of Lakotah Indian reservation by Capt. Floyd Hardy, U. 8. A., the new Indian agent The rescued ones are Reginald Vandervyn, nephew of United States Senator Clejnmer and agency clerk, Jacques Dupont post trader, and his daughter, Marie. Vandervyn tells Hardy of disaffection among the Indians, of tho murder of Nogen, the last agent, and of his having been promised the agency. Hardy calls a council of head tribesmen. Redbear, the halfbreed Interpreter, brings hie pretty sister, Olnna, to tho valley. The new agent learns that the Indians have been cheated and has reason to suspect Dupont and Vandervyn of crookedness. He plana to square matters with the tribesmen. How Captain Hardy is thwarted In his purpose, how his If fo is endangered, how Vandervyn shows his true character, Is told In very absorbing style In this Installment. CHAPTER VI Continued. Unseen by his superior, Vnndervyn nodded encouragingly to Itcdhcnr and imllod at tho Indians, llnrdy had not turned his steady gazo from Tl-own-konzn. "Tho chief Is not angry' ho said. "We shall eoon bo friends. Tell him that I coma In peace, with n good heart toward all tho tribe. I do not blame tho killing of Mr. Nogen on tho tribe. If white men havo dono any wrong to the trlbo, I shall stop tho wrongdoing. If there nro any members of tho tribe who aro doing wrong, tho chiefs should help mo raako all do right." This time Redbear did not hesitate. He faced tho assembly and rolled nut flood of Lakotah with desperate ra pidity. Almost Immediately Tl-own-konza roso to reply, his faco ahlazo frith Indignation, Ills volco Impassioned. When ho had spoken, ho remained standing. "Ho says ho Is nngry," began Red bear. "No," brusquely contradicted llnrdy. "Look at his face. Tho others aro nn fered. lie Is not. Thcro Is somo ms liadcrstandlng. Bo careful that you Interpret correctly." "lie says ho Is angry," Insisted Rod bear, Ids sidelong glnnco looking past Hardy to Vandervyn, who was nodding reassuringly. "Ilo says ho Is trying to keep It Inside, but tho others can't Hold It Inside. Ilo says you havo got to go away or thcro will bo lighting." Ilardy straightened on his chair, and Mb look becamo severe, no spoke thnrply: "Tell tho chief It Is useless to ask mo to go away. I do not wish to send for tho Longknlves. But they r?IU como and fight tho trlbo if thcro la any uprising." Iledbcar's Interpretation was fol lowed by a hush inoro threatening than restores or outcrios. Vandervyn hns ttMy beckoned to tho policemen. They Mine along undor tho overhang of tho trarehouso until they wcro behind tho tfhlte men. Hardy heard tho soft ICHfflo of their moccaslncd feet in tho lust Ho looked around and frowned. "How is this?" ho demanded. "I particularly wished no demonstration H forco," said Hardy. "Well, dlnco tho police aro here, adn't yiu better let them stay? It tfill bo closo enough work If matters tomo to a scrap, and there's 'Mario out to see tho fun." Hardy turned around to look at tho taring girl. She stood on a slight knoll toldway botwecn tho assembled Indians tBd ltor father's cabin. "Take hor back to tho house," ho or dered. "But would It bo wiso for mo to leavo rou and Oharllo Just now? Tho pollco way not stay loyal If'' "Go I" The command was peremptory. Van flervyn started off, yet contrived to ex- JI-owa-Konza Rose to Reply, Hla Faco Ablaze With Indignation. jMase glances with Itcdbear. Ilardy Iwlled the semicircle of waiting In dians wiia a rcsoiuto gaze, and, ns peforo, fixed bis attention upon Tl-owa KOftSR. "We must lnnrn tvhnt la lir k tWs fll feeling," ho remarked to tho kaUbreed. "Ask them why they aro )pocd to their young men trading re fer Dupont'a goods." ItpiWmnr Hnnltn slnwlv in Mm ftwllnnu Vis manner not unllko that of a man tarho approaches a burrel of gunpowder rlth a lighted torch. Thero was no implosion, but tho old head chief Uurcd fetch uamlstakable anger. Ho replied task a fiery declamation that won ftsnwts of approval from hla fellows. Mm wlffe4'a veice was unsteady as ho Interpreted: "He he says thero shall bo no more barter of ore. Ho says all over again that this Is tho land of his tribe, and whlto men havo no right here, and ho hates nil Long- knives." Tell him that ho Is mistaken. Tho soldiers have alwnys been tho best friends of tho Indians. I find that. ftcr next spring, no more food and goods aro to bo Issued to the tribe. Sooner or later, white men will como and tnko the oro If the Indians do not dig It theniselvcs. Another thing, I bullcvo the trlbo should agrco to the dividing up of their land, so that each head of n family can havo his own farm and work It nfter tho manner of tho whlto men.' Other tribes have done this, and they aro no longer poor." Itcdbear hesitated, stepped ranro asldo from Hardy, und begun to pour out a torrent of Lakotah. Ho had spo ken only a few sentences when n wave of agitation passed over tho semicircle of Indians. Blankets slipped down from copper-red shoulders; fierce eyes glared menacingly at Hardy. Several of tho inoro excltablo bucks leaped up with bow and rlllo In hand. Ilardy thrust out from among tho pollco and raised his hands to Tl-owa-konza in tho peace sign. The head chief called to his fellows and turned his back upon tho agonf with deliber ate contempt. All tho others faced about and followed him to tho waiting ponies. The band mounted and rode off up tho valloy la morose silence. CHAPTER VII. The Common' Law. Thcro was still more than a traco of red In Ilnrdy's sallow checks when Ma rie, Vandervyn nnd Dupont camo In upon him at tho ofllcc. Dupont held out a congratulatory hand. "By gar, Cap," ho said, "you suro had a mighty closo squeak of It that time. Guess old Tl got all-flrcd hot Where's Charllo?" "Redbeur? I sent him to reassuro his sister and tho families of tho po lice." "That was very thoughtful of you, captain," suld Mario. "But It would bo far more consider ate If you would leavo tho reserva tion," added Vandervyn. "How so?" queried Hardy. "Of course, you'll fancy I am think ing of my promotion. But It's not that at all. Ask Jako." "I got It from tho p'lceco," safd Du pont. "Tho wholo bunch was crazy to shoot you ; they'd dono It, too, only Oharllo sings out to 'em that Mr. Van was going to bo agent, and you'd go uwuy." "Ho said that?" "Oh, captain, don't bo angry nt Ohar llo," Interceded 'Mario, "Ho had to do It to savo n. fight" "But why? I could not havo been moro friendly. Yot everything I Bald seemed to anger them." "I told you thoy'ro a ornory bunch," replied Dupont. "It was for becauso you being an officer. Tho chiefs huto all soldiers Uko plzeu. Most of tho old ones was In tho ghost-danco craze, and got Jailed by tho soldiers." "They may cool down and bo willing to listen to reuson," argued Hardy. "Cool down? They'll go back and sit and stow and stow till hell bolls over. Next thing happens, they'll stir up tho young bucks. Nom d'un chtcn I Just when I was glttlng enough ahead lu my business to tnko caro of my old ago nnd glvo Mario n chanco to bo lady to stand to loso everything and her und my scalp to boot I" "You oro freo to leavo hero with her whenever yi . wish." "No, I nln't I can't leavo iny store all my property." "Thoro would bo no daugcr if It were not for you," said Mario, her Oyes flashing with Indignation. "If only you had not como hero I If thcro is an outbreak, it will bo nil your fuultl" "Mlno?" "Oh, I know you mean well. But If they've taken this violent dislike to you Why over did you como? You saw how thoy Uko Mr. Vnu. nad Utoy thought you would Insist on staying, uothlng could havo kept them from attacking you.' But tho promise that Mr. Van Is to bo their agent, that pact lied them. Had you novor como hero, all this would not havo happened. Tho chiefs would havo como to talk with Mr. Van, and would havo gone back satisfied." Hardy swung around In his chair to scrutinize tho gullolesa faco of Van- dorvyn. . "What do you Bay to that sir?" ho Interrogated. "What caa T say?" replied Vander AMES BENNET rj o vyn, twisting tho tip of his blond mus tache. "It Is for you to decide to leavo for the good of tho tribe, or to stay und tnko the chance of an up rising." "The wny you put It " considered Ilardy. "Perhaps it might be bettor for all concerned If I should leave." "You bet It would, Cap," eagerly broke In Dupont. "'Tnln't no Joke. Them ornery cusses 'IK git you Uko they dono with Nogen, Just as sure as shooting." Vandervyn shot a furious glance nt tho blunderer. Mario waB looking at Ilardy. But she did not need to sec tho tightening of his lips to realize what her father had done. "Oh, Perel" she reproached. "Why did you say it? You should have known Captain nardy could not leave after that." "Quito right, Mls3 Dupont," said Hurdy. "You mean, you won't 'leavo?" asked Dupont "How can he?" Vnndervyn smoothly cut In. "You've put It up to him that It would bo deserting his post under fire. He's nn array officer he wouldn't leavo now even If ho know his stnylng here meant certain massacre for us nil, followed by certain massacre of tho trlbo by the troops." "I will remain until I havo mado at least one moro effort to pacify tho tribe," replied Hardy. "You are at liberty to resign whenever you please. Mr. Dupont hns ample time to remove his goods and his daughter from the reservation." "Not me," declared Mario: "I don't caro what Pero nnd Reggie say; I now thcro Is not ono of tho tribo who would harm me, oven In an outbreak." "Well, mebbo not," admitted her fa ther. . "I gather that I am tho only person who scorns to bo endangered," re marked Hardy. "This being so, I will wait a few days for tho excitement to subside, and will then call another council." "They won't como ng'In to meet you," predicted Dupont. "Then I shall go to them." "Into tho mountains, captain?" ex claimed Murlo, her splendid eyes wid ening with concern. "Surely you will not vonturo among tho camps." "Tno trlbo must lenrn that I mean friendship." Dupont paused to scratch tho side of his head. But Vandervyn spoke without an Instant's hesitancy: "You havo no right to 'throw your Hf o away uselessly, captain. Suppose Charllo nnd I mako a trip to tho camps, to soo If wo cannot qulot tho trlbo nnd talk the chiefs Into giving you another hearing? If you have no objection, we could tell them that you cannot leavo ust now, but that you will do so as soon ns you havo tried to benefit them." "And that Mr. Van'll be next agent," iddod Dupont "Will you tell them that I am noro to help them nnd to bo their friend?" queried Hardy. "Trust mo to put it to thom strong, captain," assured Vandervyn. "I know you'll piny fair by resigning in my fa' vor as soon as you havo tho trlbo in hand." "After I hnvo dono what I can do to Improve conditions among them," qual lfled Hardy. "I do so hopo Mr. Van can pcrsundo them to bo friendly with you," said Marie. "I know he nnd Oharllo will bo perfectly safe But It will be hard to talk them out of their strango dls Hko to you. When will you start, Reg glo?" "Early tomorrow morning, If tho cap tain has no objections." Tho Booncr tho better," agreed Hardy. "I'll go and remove my council cos tume," sold Vandervyn, smiling at his lrrcproachablo frock coat Mario and her father roso with him Hardy bowed out tho girl and returned to hlB desk. Ilo was deep in tho midst of a report on tho tribe when, half nn hour later, Vandervyn returned to tho olllco in his riding togs. "Charlie may not como back this afternoon," ho remarked. "I thought I might rldo down and toll him ubout tho trip. I could fetch your muro for you." "Very well. I shall bo obliged," re plied Hardy, and he- returned to his study of the report Vnndervyn rodo down along the fnr sldo of tho stream, keeping tho thick ots na much as posslblo between him self and tho Dupont houso. Ho did not recross tho creek until ho was op posite Iledboar's home. He found tho cabin door closed. But at a Blight movomont of tho window curtains his hand went up to beckon with a lordlv gesture. Thero was a short puuse. Then tho door opened a scant inch. "Hello I" ho said. "Where's your brother?" "Ilo hns hns gono to tell tho po lice families." "On tho agent's mare," guessed Van dervyn. "Please he didn't mean any hurra plcnso don't tell on him." "That depends," replied Vnndervyn. "Do you think I enro to favor him when you nctas If you hato mo?" "Hato? No nol" Tho door opened several Inches nnd as suddenly closed to a narrow crack. But Vandervyn had caught a glimpse of tho girl's blushing face. Ills volco dropped to a caressing tone: "You're not afraid of mo, nrr you, Just becauso I wanted a kiss? Come out hero and talk. I won't bite you." "You promise not to to kiss mo?" "Not unless you wish mo to." "But but I do I" camo back tho naive confession. Impulsively ho started to swing off his pony. The cabin door shut with a bang. Ho straightened in tho saddle, waited a long moment, frowned heav ily, and stnrtcd to rldo away, From tho window camo n plaintive cry: "Oh, please, plensol" Ho deliberately dismounted, flung the reins over his horso's head, and walked to tho opened window. Tho eager, frightened fnco within blushed scarlet und shrank back. Ho stopped short "Sec here," ho admonished, "If you're going to bo silly, I shall go away for It Will Be Hard to Talk Them Out of Their Strange Dislike for You." good. You've got tho door barred, and ou know I shall not try to cruwl In nt a hole like this." "I I won't be," sho fultered. "Thut'8 better," ho said, and he reached In to slip his arm around her trembling shoulders. Shrinking yet yielding, with eyes timidly downcast nnd olive cheeks burning with blissful shame, the young girl allowed him to draw her closer. Hor Hps quivered, yet sho raised them to meet his kiss. "Thcro I" ho rallied. "Was it so dreadful?" Sho did not answer; sho could not. Hor head drooped forward ylth tho instinctive mouesty or nn innocent young girl. Ho put the forefinger of his freo hand under her chin nnd raised her head to take a second kiss. "One cood turn deserves another. sweetheart," he snld. "You should not not call mo that," sho whispered. "You aro a gcntlcmnn white man; I am only n halfbreed I'm yellow as a Chlnnmnn." "No golden. You are my golden girl. Your checks are wild roses and honey gold. Your oyes nro Hko n fawn's; your Hps sweet ns honey Another kiss There, that's moro like It You'ro learning how. Now look at me." Sho raised her drooping lids with tho sudden, desperate courage of ono who Is very shy, and gazed up at him, her tender eyes starllko with tho soft glow of hor lovo and adoration. "You you really Hko mo?" sho whispered. "No, I hato you like poor Lo hates firewater. Glvo him a tnsto, nnd ho wants It all. I want you." "Charlie he said I must marry a whlto man. I um Joyed In my heart You sny you want mo I But I am only u halfbreed girl, and you "You'ro my honey-sweet girlie. Go and oppn tho door." Sho looked up at him again full und direct, nnd his gnzo sank before the trust lu her clear eyes. "You want me to bo your engaged girl!" she murmured. "When people nro engaged, they nre going to bo mar ried. Charlie said I must murry a whlto man, a good whlto man. You uro kind to mo. It Is wonderful. hnvo read that oven army officers have married halfbreed girls. But you aro grnuder than any officer, and you nro very good to think of marrying mo." Vandervyn forced a smile, nnd re piled to her adulation without meeting her enraptured gaze: "Whnt else did you think I meant whon I kissed you? Of course wo shall bo married. As wo aro hero on the rcsorvatlon, It will bo according to tho custom of tho trlbo." "Married? Oh, my heart sings I" cried tho girl. "X will bo your wife yours I I can't bcllovo It Thero comes Charlie. I must run nnd tell him." Vandervyn hastily released hor, and drew his arm out of tho window as bo looked around. "Walt 1" ho commanded. "He's com Jne fast enough. Leave tho door barred." Tho halfbreed was racing Hardy's mare up the creek bank at a furious gallop, no flung himself out of tho saddle nnd advanced upon Vandervyn, his face dark with suspicion. "What you saying to my sister?" ho ! demanded, The white man met his threatening look with a hnlf-contemptuous, half amused smile. "1'vo been showing tho girl what I think of her," he replied. Iledbear camo to n sudden hnlt The muscles of his faco 'begun to twitch. "Oh, Charllo 1" reproached Olnnn. "What makes you look at him that way? Why don't you thank him?" Sho unbarred tho door and stepped outside. "For what?" questioned her brother In n harsh, strained voice. "Because he Is going to be my man going to take mo for his wife." "Marry you? Olnna you?" The halfbreed could not believe his cars. Through his dnzc shot a flash of angry suspicion. "But you you won't marry herl" Vandervyn smiled In hls careless manner. ' "Oh, I guess yes." "You'll marry her? You'll tnko her to town and marry her like whlto people?" "I'll marry her as somo white pcoplo mnrry. I'll not take her to town. Olnna and I have agreed to be married according to tribal custom." Again Redbenr's weak face dark ened with suspicion nnd anger. "1 won't have it You're white, and Olnna is half white. White people don't mnrry Indian fashion." "You know n lot about It, Charlie, nnven't you over heard of common-law marriages? Lots of whlto peoplo get married that way." "Whut way?" "You must know nbout It Instead of going to a lot of fuss and bother over ministers nnd licenses, many people Just take each other for hus band nnd wlfo nnd go to housekeep ing." "Is Is that a real whlto people's marriage?" asked Olnna. Vnndervyn frowned. "You don't think I'm lying, do you? Why, you often see In the newspapers nbout common-law wives getting their share of their dead husbands' estates, Just tho same as If they had gono through all tho fuss of weddings. Ask Hardy If that does not often happen" Well, If It's a real marriage " muttered Redbear. Of course it Is, Charlie, If ho says so!" cried Olnna rnpturously. Her brother's faco glowed with sud den unconcealed exultance. He stam mered almost Incoherently: "Then you Marie you don't marry don't marry Marie." "No," replied Vandervyn, and his voice rang clenr. "I have no Intention of marrying her." , "Maybe Marlo'll Uko mo now, when tell her you arc going to bo my brother," sighed Redbear. Vandervyn laid n brotherly hand on his shoulder. "Hold on, boy !" he suld. "You let me manage things. You know that Mario thinks she likes me. But now Hardy Is here, and he wnnts her. If sho hears that I have thrown her over, sho will run off with him." "Sho don't like him." "What If sho doesn't I He's an array officer. He has money, and when ho goes from hero ho will wear his unl form, all gilt and spangles. You know how the girls like that. No I tell you there's not tho ghost of n show for you until he Is out of the way. Our little bluff didn't work. Ho says he Is going to stay. So for a while you and Olnna must keep still nbout the mar riage. Tomorrow morning you nnd I aro going Into tho mountains to talk with the chiefs. Olnna will go with me. But It must be understood nt tho agency that you have sent her to Who could you send her to?" "Tl-dwa-konza Is our mother's fa thcr. Not oven Mr. Dupont knows that," suld Redbear. "Before ho camo here, she ran off with n bad white man. They went to tho Blnckfeet After a tlmo ho got an arrow through his back. My mother came home. Tl-owa-konza would not see her face. Sho had to work for tho agent till thoy mado us go away to school. Then sho died." "Old Thunderbolt your grandfather?' remarked Vundervyn, seizing upon that ono fuct In tho squalid trugedy. "Docs ho know It?" "I told him so todny. Ho said my face But maybe ho will como to Hko me. Ho said to bring Olnna for him to look nt her." "That's great I We'll tell It to every body, But remember, not n word ubout tho marrlago until nfter wo get rid of Hnrdy and I am agent. Then things will go nil right for nil of us. You savvy that, Charlie? While you rub down tho mare I'll go In nnd say good by until tomorrow morning." CHAPTER V. Best-Laid Schemes. Hardy had gono to the Dunonts' for supper when Vandervyn returned to tho agency. Ho mado a hasty toilet and followed. Mario met him wltli mnrked coldness. This, however, melt ed beforo he had finished his report to Hardy. All agreed I 'at tho old chief probably would tako a fancy dona, and that, nb k retftU, iWj would be a fair chanco of pacifying tho tribe. When Hardy turned to tho girl, ho found her nnd Vandervyn exchanging, glances and murmurlug remarks. His habitual gravity softened to a smllo of wistful sadness. At tho first oppor tunity ho excused himself. Midnight had passed beforo tho light In tho little citified parlor of tho Dupont houso was extinguished. When, at sunrise, Hnrdy went for breakfast, Mario's eyes were very brlgi.c and her look wns pensive. Sho uto little, and her manner toward Uar- tfy wns cold and ungracious. After tho offlvet left, Dupont squint cd ncross tha table at her and 'began to scratch his bead. "You and Mr. Van burned a lot of coal oil last night Ho didn't git far enough along to ask you to hitch up with him, did he?" A red blush flamed In the clrl'a checks. Without looking un. she mur mured n regretful "No." "Guess he figures he'll wait and sea If Hnrdy Is going to bust us up. Like as not he'll skip back east If Hardy gits soro and chokes off our hold on the mine." "Whnt do you mean? He'd send Reggie nwny. Tho stiff, solemn old fogy I hate him I" "Easy, easy, glrll" soothed Dupont. 'No use plunging when you're hitched to the snubbing post. Just now he'n got us roped. He'll have us all hog- tied If we go to bucking. We'vo cot to mnko him think we're gentled." "Whnt If we act toward him as wo feel?" "You don't savvy nbout thnt mlno. Mo and Nogen discovered It nnd paid noncst for developing It ns you kpow. Well, we let Mr. Van In on It Then Nogen up and gits killed. Thnt makcu It half and half between me and Mr. Vnn, according to nil that's fair and square. But do you believe Hardy will look at It that way? Not by a con siderable. He'll talk about it belntr thu tribe's, just because It's on the reser vation." "I seo 1" The girl's eyes flashed, and her nostrils dilated. "He will rob you nnd Regglo of n fortune yet you wish me to bo nice to him 1" "You bet I dol Can't you clt tho point? Ho ain't going to bo bluffed Into quitting. That means we cot to mnko friends with him or loso the mine." "Oh I So that Is it?" "Yep. Worst of It Is he's one of them there fellows what stand bo straight they lean backwards. Wo talked to him about how It would help the tribe if he Joined us In opening tho mine. Ho was mighty offish. Guess we'll have to give him Nogcn's third to get him into our camp." "Whnt a shame I The mine is yours nnd Reggie's. He hasn't done n thing toward developing It" I know. But he's the agent. He's got us roped. Ho can rob us of our mlno If wo don't make friends with him. Now do you savvy?" The girl's thick black eyebrows met In n frown of vexation. "If he Is a man whose friendship must bo bought, I do not wish to be pleasant to him.'" "It's business. Marie. Thero nln't no two ways about It Mr. Van's hang ing tire, a-wnltlng to seo If we loso the mine. If we do, he can't nfford to mnrry no poor girl off a reservation." "Very well. I shall make myself agreeable to Captain Hardy. But wait until I am freo to pay him out for It!" "Nom d'un chten 1" muttered Duponf nt sight of her straightened Hps. "That's tho Injun in you. Don't let him see you look that way till after we git the mine cinched." "I am not n fool, mon pere." Dupont shook his grizzled head du biously. But at midday, when Hardy came over for the noon dinner, Marie re ceived his co'urtcous greeting with n graclousness that soon lightened tho pensive severity of his look. Before tho end of tho meal they were chatting In a manner that brought a twinkle Into Dupont's cunning eyes. Tho girl proposed n rldo up the val ley. Hardy was greatly pleased. He hud already grasped the simple details of tho agency business, and now, pend ing the absence of Vandervyn aud Red bear, had nothing to do except Instruct tho pollco in his Ideas of cleanliness nnd discipline. Mario never looked moro charming than when on n horse. She took he new friend for n long rldo around one of the mountains. Every cliff nnd rock nnd plnoy slopo wns familiar to "Is That a Real White People' "Marriage?" Asked Olnna. her. Sho pointed out nil tho grandest nnd most beautiful views, and Bhowed horscif even better versed In tha loro of tho wild than sho had seemed to bo posted on (lie culture and graces of pollto society. After that there whb no break In her friendly manner townrd tX'f captain rot several days. Fre quently they took other rides, over or nround tho nearest hills and moun tains. Do you believe that Vander vyn'a deceltfulness with little Olnna will be punished by the Indians or do you think she will escape harm at his hands? (TO BE CONTINUED.)