THE 8EMLWEEKLY TRIDUNE, NORTH PLATTE, NEBRASKA.
Th
Qua
rter 'or '
An Indian Reservation Tale by ROBERT AMES BENNET
tx
FOLLOWING the killing of Agent Nogen tun throats of an outbreak
uinong the Indians, Cnpt. Kloyd Hardy, U. S. A., goes to Lakotah
reservation as acting agent to (uell the trouble. He Is wounded
from ambush, and falls in love with .Marie Dupont, who nurses hint.
She neither accepts nor refuses his proposal of marriage, because she
and Vandervyn are Intimates. Hardy learns tho Indians are disaf
fected because Mario's father, Jacques Dupont, a wily post trader,
and Reginald Vandervyn, agency clerk and nephew of Senator Clem
mo r, have cheated them In nn Illegal tribal mine deal, and purposes
to right the wrong. He makes friends witty the tribesmen nndcnlls a
council at the mine. What occurs there how desperate conspirators
work against the captain Is told In this Installment.
CHAPTER XIV Continued. rock, nor did ho hear tho smooth ex
planation that tho agent wnntcd the
Hardy was greeted with n murmur chiefs to sign two copies of the memo-
of welcome and admiration, and tho randum. This statement was unhcsl-
crowd made n path through their tntlngly interpreted by Redbenr, and
midst to tho Inner ring of tho chiefs, tho chiefs, who knew by cxperlcuco
Followed by Redbenr, Vandervyn and that most agency papers wero signed
OInna, ho walked along the passago In duplicate, maJo their crosses and
between the living walls of silent, thumb-prints as fast as Vandervyn
furtlve-cyed Indians, and seated him- wrote their nnmos on tho two papers,
aelf on tho blanket that had been OInna ventured to whisper to her
spread for him beside old Tl-owa- brother that tho papers did not look
konza. Shortly beforo tho start down nllke. Ho hastily repeated tho remark
Into the valley Vundervyn had again to Vandervyn. Tho girl cringed closo
borrowed his superior's writing pad to her grandfather, lint Vandervyn
nnd fountnln pen. llo now sat down showed no anger. Ho smiled at her
at Hardy's shoulder, with the pad and in n manner that brought a blissful
pen rcudy. glow Into her soft eyes, and explained
After n ceremonious sllenco the that one paper gave tho proceedings
head chief's crier announced tho pur.- of tho council In full, while tho other
poBO of tho council. This was fol
lowed by declamations from threo or-
conslsted of brief notes. IIo then inur
mured to her something that at llrst
ators, whose main purposo seemed to brought a shadow Into her Joyous fnee,
bo to glvo an exhibition of their abll- but In tho end left her radiant with
lty In pointing word pictures. When happiness.-
they had finished, Tl-owu-konza arose, When tho leading men of tho tribe
nnd warmed tho hearts of his peoplo had signed tho papers and Redbear
with an Impassioned eulogy of their and 01mm had attested us witnesses,
new friend, tho chief of tho Long- Vandervyn thrust the documents Into
knives, who had como to be n father his pocket and went to rejoin Hardy,
to tho tribe. As ho handed over tho paper that
Hardy then explnlncd tho good that 1 Hardy had signed, ho remarked that,
had resulted on other reservations If thero was no objection, Redbear
from the taking 'of laud In eovcrnlty, and his sister would remain In tho
nnd advised that tho council namo a mountains with their grandfather un-
uclcgutlon of chiefs to go at onco to til word should bo received from tho
Washington nnd ask for tho conllr- government for tho trlbnl delegation
nintlon of tho nov treaty. More than to como on to Washington,
onco during Hedbonr's Interpretation "You aro rendy to return to tho
of tho acting agent's statements OInna agency with me?" asked Ilurdy.
betrayed surprise. TI-own-kouzu no- "Wo can start at onco, If you wish,"
tlccd this sooner than Hardy. IIo assented Vandervyn.
epoko to his granddaughter. Tho girl "Very well." suld Hardy. "Tho clrl
cast a timid look at Vandervyn and shall remain here, and you will como
hesitated. with me."
Her brother smiled cunningly and Vandervyn shrugged, smiled good
old: "It's all right. Tell him."
"What's that?" queried Hardy.
"Nothing nothing, sir," quavered
humorcdly, nnd vaulted Into his sad
dle.
Still doubtful of his companion,
the girl. "Only, Charlie ho added Hardy took tho ponies of Redbear and
something to what you said." OInna in lead, and rodo over to whero
"I put In that you ana Mr. Vun tho brother and sister' stood In tho
would try to get them big pay for ,nldst of their grandfuthcr's lnnncdl-
tho mineral lands," boldly explained ntu family. When tho girl confirmed
Xlcdbcnr. Vnndorvyn's statement that sho wished
"Suroly you'vo no objection to that, to remain In tho mountalus,' ho took
captain," remarked Vandervyn. ceremonious lcavo of tho noblo old
"Was that all?" Hardy asked tho eJMef, and rodo off to rojoln his party.
B'J- () During tho brief lntervnl Vander-
"Ycs, sir. Ho only " , vyn's gay humor had disappeared. Ho
-very wen. i nave no omccuou to
the statement. Rut I now must de
cidedly Insist upon an exact inter-
mot Ilnrdy with a frown, and held out
ono of tho letters that ho had written
that morning. Seeing tlint It was ad
I "Every little thing counts on promo
tlon- like merit marks at scnooi."
"You seel" agreed Hardy. "I can't
nretend to nltrulsm. I am ambitious
to stand well In my profession. If I
mnke n good showing when given a
detail, I put merit marks on my rec
ord, as Mr. Vandervyn has so aptly
expressed it."
Marie's challenging gnzo softened,
nnd sho looked thoughtfully down at
her white hands.
"Isn't even self-sacrifice a form of
selfishness?" sho murmured.
The nppearance of tho Indian boy
in tho dining room doorway checked
Hardy's reply,
During supper the girl rcmnlncd
can show-cards and spades to the an- unusually thoughtful and silent, uar
gelsl I'm out for the good things of dy discussed with Dupont plans for
life, nnd I mnke no bones over It. But the instruction of the tribe in ngricm
that doesn't prevent mo from being u turc. The idea had occurred to him
bloomltn: benefactor as well. If you that tho government might permit him
wish to know tho renl reason why I'm to build an irrigation system for tho
reslcnlnir. It's becauso I hnvo planned farming lnnds of tho tribe, using In
to go on to Washington with tho dele- dlan lnborers, and pnylng for tho
gutlon, and pull wires to' get tho trlbo work out of money appropriated for
a big slice of graft for their mineral the sale of tho mineral lands. When
lands." Vandervyn choso to listen, It was
Hardy miw thn frnnk sincerity In his with a half-amused smile that did not
companion's eyes, and responded to nlwnys cover the underlying cynical
t in assertion with nn Instant uno ocv : irony, Aiost or mo timo no uevuieu
"Mr. Vandervyn, I beg your purdon himself to nn attempt to rally Mario
for inlnltiflclnp vnit At tlmnH vntir OUt Of her UlOUglltf UlllCSS. Instead
v .... y1.0..p wu " - W " 1 . .
conduct lins been Ill-advised, but I of responding, site became more pen
no longer doubt your good intentions."
"It tukes an officer and gentleman to
cat crow as If it wero quail I" rallied
Vundervyn with seemingly gonlnl sar
casm. "Do I understand that my res
ignation Is accepted?"
"If you Insist."
"I do. Now that Is settled. Wo
mnko tho return trip ns equals," said
Vandervyn, and, ns If freed from all
rancor by tho thought, ho fell into n
mood of sunvo gnyety.
a Just price for their mineral lands. "Hum 1" grunted Dupont.
Don't look so shocked, Miss Cunnda. "Mine and all I" repeated Vander-
It's tho regular way such things aro 1 vyn. "I've told you why. I'll fix It
CHAPTER XV.
A Lover's Promise.
When, mldaf ternoon of tho next dny.
tho two white men nnd tho pair of In
dian police emerged from tho canyon
of Sloux creek Into tho agency valley,
Vandervyn was still as gay and good
humored as at tho start of tho Jour
ney. Ho even volunteered to Inter
vene for Hardy with Marie.
"It Is very kind of you to mnko tho
handled in nil representative govern
mentsours, tho Cnnndlan and Eng
lish parliaments, the German, the
French all the same."
The girl's eyes clouded. "I do not
like to hear you speak In that cynical
tone."
"Oh, It's not because I don't be
lieve In democratic government. In
despotic countries the regular proce
dure would bo for tho officials to tnke
tho bulk of tho appropriation, and
glvo tho trlbo tho percentage or
nothing."
"I cannot bcllcvo thnt even your
government will permit Its ofllclnls to
rob either tho trlbo or tho people of
tho country," dcclured Marie. "There
cannot bo a mnjorlty of dishonest con
gressmen." "No; tho big majority are honest
fools. They arc rannnged by means of
committees and the plea of party loy
alty and log-rolling. But that's not
my fault, sweetheart. You know I "
"I know you've yet to receive per
mission to call mo that 1" broko In tho
girl.
Vandervyn bit his Hp. "You forget
I am going away."
"Back to Washington and your
flar.ccc !"
' Quite true. And I'm going to stay,
unless thero Is some inducement for
mo to return here," ho rejoined.
It was Marie's turn to bito her Up,
"How can you say that, when you
know that I that I
"I told you how It was, nnd why
I cannot break off with her until
IIo stepped nearer, his eye3 nglow
with passionate allurement. "You
know I lovo you, only you, Muriel
nd you lovo me, sweetheart !"
Under tho enticement of his soft
'eyes and pleading voice, all her re
serve melted. Instead of eluding ills
advance, sho swayed forward, nnd per
mitted him to take her in his arms.
IIo crushed her to him, nnd showered
kisses on her lips and blushing checks
upon her dusky hair when, over
come, sho pressed her face against
his shoulder.
no quivered with the Joy of mas
tery and possession. "You aro mini.
mine! Sny It 1"
"I I will marry you I" sho whis
pored.
Submissive nnd loving ns was tho
reply, it struck tho ardent smile from
Vandcrvyn's face. His embrace re
laxed, nnd for a moment he stood
offer." rnnllfrl TTnrilv In rntlior n stiff
' I U.l. t.f- M. tlf.l. 11-111 . . A mm
tone. "If Dupont Is nt home, may I " VO mu" uni" u" ",u
ask you to send him to tho office?" rreca rrom t ourcousin.
. . . . -
"Certnlnly," replied Vandervyn, nnd sivo. nnrav attributed tho clrl's half-
all tho way down to tho nuency ho tmtnltnn milnfnnaa fn nrosonPf. Aft
chatted genially. When they enmo to tll0y left tho supper table, ho asked stnr,nS over tho girl's head, his lip
tno level bcmnu tne wnrcnouse, no Dunont to como to tho office. uuucu' "10 "-uu'-
waved his hand in friendly parting. Mnrln nnd Vnndorvvn followed them 'I love you 1 sho murmured
"S'long. Seo you later. Bo sure to ng f,ir ns tho parlor, whero tho young quick to senso tho change that had
chop off your whiskers in tlmo for ,mm drnnnod Into tho easiest chair. como upon hlm-
supper. You'll need to look your wjth n disgusted, "Lord 1 ho makes me At tno candid confession Ills eyes
best." wonrv nil thnt benevolent blatter 1" "8lln glowed, and again ho crushed
. v - I . . .
Dupont soon clumped Into tho "Of course he Is doing It merely ,,tr 10 mm
necnev office, fairly oozlntt with lovlal to heln himself In his career." raur- "lou love me I lou own It I" ho
friendliness. mured Mnrle,
"llowdyi Howdy, Cap I" ho greet- "Or to get the handling of tho tri
ed. "Marie, she says she'll look to bnl funds," suggested Vandervyn,
seo you nt supper. Mr. Van says you "There'll bo a fat slice of graft for
wanted to seo me. Anything I enn somebody out of all thoso millions."
do, Cap, Just call on me. I'm rendy "You really think that?"
to call quits now, If you arc." "What else can you expect govern-
pretaUon of what I say. Miss Red- dressed to himself, Hardy toro open
bear, you will tell mo nt onco If your tho cnVclopo and read tho brief noto
womer cuncr iuus to interpret wnnt within.
i ion mm or mnues nny ntmitions " "So." ho snld. flxintr tho vouncor
1 "Yc-s, sir, If" faltered OInna. Her mm wth n lovcl clnnC0i ..your res.
covert glance of appeal mot with a ignatlon to tnko effect at once. It Is
reassuring smiio ironi vandervyn. ano dated yesterday."
wtutureu to iooic up ut imriiy, anu nor ..It wouid imvo boon Jfttoa nn,i prc.
toico ueenmo stenmer: -les, sir, oi Hontcd a week ago If yd had tho
-snurso. Only Chnrllo was Just trying 8uKhtcst Idea you wero going to Insult
?K iicip, ana no won t uo it agnin."
I Hardy resumed his explanations nnd
jrlvlcc. When ho had finished, soveral
oro orators hnd to exhibit their elo
quence. Tho council then proceeded
V accept tho acting agent's ndvlco and
mmo a delegation. As Tl-own-konzu
insisted that ho was too old to von
t&ro so long n Jouruoy among the
vhlto men, flvo of tho younger sub
chiefs and headmen wero chosen to
ffSproscnt tho trlbo.
1 During tho closing ceremonies of
to council Vandervyn leaned forward
'trvsldo Hardy, nnd showed him an nb
fcfcvlutcd hut accurate memorandum
tlx tho proceedings.
"It's OB well to hnvo those things
fc bltfck and white," ho suggested,
'"We could got tho chiefs to sign this
tesforo tho council breaks up."
"very good. A record may bo valu
fcblo for future reference," agreed
Ilwdy.
Ho rapidly read tho writing, Inter
polated n few words, added a line,
nd gavo It to Rcdbcnr to Interpret.
Wlicn the council acknowledged tho 'vo Hnd Enough of Your Dullylng."
Vrr-nrnpv it ttin mnmnrnndtim. lllirdv I
cncd it, and naked tho chiefs to add "H you did yesterday," Vandervyn
their mnrks, with Redbear and OInna burst out ungrlly. "You'd hnvo had It
Hnf nn wltnosROR. At this Vntlder- iul"i ii i eouiu niivu uruuKiiiinj
-Vn volunteered to servo as penman, 8-'lf to borrow, your pen and paper."
.rftad nniPimiai nnlnrpil Itmlbear to "I see," Bald Hardy. IIo reflected n
'.Mn th. rt.iofn nr tn n nearbv moment, nnd remarked : "Thero seems
Wvhinr. whero thov could more con- to bo no renson why I should not nc-
enlcnUy mnko their murks on tho your resignation, If you Insist
BnnpP upon my nctlng on It."
rrnr,w nffwi nn nliloetinn to this. "I o," said Vandorvyn. "I'vo had
Tho council had finished its work, and enough of your bullying. I'm n f rcu.
two was nothing suspicious about now iim jour vier.
Yandcrvyn'e suggestion that tho "You will change your tone, sir, If
fcowldcr would afford an easy place you wish to rldo In my company," said
lor tho chiefs to sign. Ho roso and Hardy, with a cool self-control that
wstiirnod tortilB tnnro. whllo tho crowd checked tho other's auger.
Mocked off to tho bowlder after their "Gad I If only you weren't such n
hlefs. Ho did not seo Vundervyn solf-rlghtcous prlgl" exclaimed tho
'lity ont t-'B pnpera on tho top of tho I youngur man. "You'ro so suro you
cried. "You aro mine I"
"No 1"
With a sudden, violent thrust for
which he was all unprepared, sho
burst from his clasp and sprang clear
of him.
"What is It?" ho muttered, starln
Hardy accepted tho proffered hand, ment on ono side nnd Poor Lo on the at her, half bewildered.
and exchanged a cordial grip. other? It's tho usual thing. I ex- "Oh!" she cried. "It was tho way
This pleases mo very much, Du- pect to get my share." you Ohl how could you?" Sho
pont," ho responded. "Wo will ull "You?" exclaimed tho girl, her eyes put up her hands, like a child, to hide
now work together for tho tribe. I widening with a iook or astonisnmcut the scarlet that flamed In her cheeks
Klvo vou my best wishes that you and repronch. "Go, please go I You have mado me
muy win tho mine." Vandervyn Inughed amusedly, tell And I hnvo promised to marry
"Wo got a fair show to, seeing ns "Walt a bit before you dig up your you when you come back."
how you uin't going to let on about it tomahawk, Miss Sitting Bull. If I "if i do como back," qualified Van-
iu your report. Now, Just tell mo succeed in getting tne tribe nrtecn dervyn in n nn9h 0f chagrin.
what 1 can do for you." or twenty millions, instead or tno live Marie drew herself up to her full
"Morolv n few words ns Intcrnrc- tlint was talked about, it strnccs me helcht. the color ebblnc from her face,
tor." snld Hardv. "I wish ono of tho they could nfford to allow yours truly ner voico wns as cold as her eyes,
pollco at onco to rldo over to tho n mco ntiio percentago as comims- Do you wish to free mo from my
railroad with theso telegrams and let- sion. promise?"
tors. Tho sooner I rcccivo lnstroc- "on, neggie, paruon mo i ur course "Never I" ho burst out. "You'd glvo
tlons to send tho delegation to Wash- you should havo good pay for proving yourself to Hardy. Ho shan't have
lngton, tho better." yoijrseir sucn a menu to tno trine.- you. You'vo promised you said It.'
'That's no llo. Mr. Van says tho "Anu to eacn moinDer oi uio tnoui ..Not nownot yet not until you
mm.nv nnn'f .n nrmrnnrlntofl till rnn- 10 UUUCU, 1118 U1U0 eyes glUWlUK Bom
rna mnnta t,t tt,n trontv in ni nn cn with ardor. -"I don't want all my
so's tho amount can bo settled on nnd Py money. How about an advance
tlin rnoorvntlnn nr.loroil rllvliln.1 im lV royalty in SOmClUing CISC s
tho treaty commission." " ,ll,ad rLS,en', , nn,d ,WaS, C.mlDf
mi. in ..i..i..,,i TTnww ir ,W toward her. Sho blushed und rotrcat-
irnt tho nerlciilturnl lnnds allotted In tHl around tho tea table,
tlmo for tho nlantliiL' of winter wheat. o, no," sue remonsirnieu. x torn
Como; wo will send off theso telo- you wo must wait until until you are Rt th(J foot o her be
grams and letters." ire(-' ir0U1 your cousin.
Slnnn t.n rntiirn nf U.n nnrtv frnm IC 110 rojOUlUU. "XOUro iry
tho mountains, hot ono of tho pollco J"B to Plny IU,0. anst that tinfoil
but was moro Uinn willing to servo "J"'u The Fighting Chance,
llm nnw nxitnf Tiim nf tin. vnnnirnr lur Uiuu x i imvu lu feu ua uu um-i., I Vnnilorvvn wns nn liofnro ilnwn
men wero soon cantering away down ,ud flx 1,lln8s so that tho delegation 1ut Mnr,u Wftg up nu hour carHcr,( UI1(1
the valley on their best ponies, proud n,ot ,,,atvo , luuls rouna tUo c"1)l' sent her father over to make suro that
of tho fact Hint they had been chosen 1 "u , ' . , . . ., her lover camo for tho breakfast she
rv .nnlrn nIM.f rl.ln tn ihn mllrnnil. LUU "u,u l" l"u lin.1 nmnnroil for tilin V illn tin nto.
Hardy returned to tho office IUi ""7"" stocked his saddlebags for tho
upont, nnd became deeply absorbed """J unexpectedness of tho trlp an(l g(lV0 tho p,nto a B00(1 feetl
como bncli to me, free from your
cousin. Leave me, I asked you to go.'
When ho perceived tho look In her
eyes, ho picked up his hat and left
the houso without attempting to argue,
Sho closed the door, and hastened
Into her dainty little bedroom,
sink on her knees beforo tho crucifix
CHAPTER XVI.
so we'll gct tho mine nnd maybe some
thing else and I'll flx Hardy I"
"Didn't know you wns still so down
on htm. Wasn't it ull smoothed ovcrY
You been acting that way."
'Walt and see me rub his fur tho
ther way! I'll put over n game on
him that " Vandervyn checked tho
disclosure, and began asking ques
tions about the traits of tho flvo
chiefs chosen us trlbnl delegates.
Half an hour nfter sunrise Dupont
enme Jogging hack home, his heavy
face set In a satisfied grin. The com
placency of his look lessened when ha
entered, nnd saw the Indian boy ro
movlng the evidences of somoane'e
solitary meal. Ho knocked at his
daughter's door. After quite a delay
sho called to him that he might enter.
He found her seated at the foot of tho
bed, with a little leather-bound book
In her lap. Though her eyelids were
swollen, she met him with her usual
look of quiet self-possession.
"You let Cap eat alone," ho re
marked. "Don't call thnt being hos
plt'le, do you?"
"If ho hnd been more considerate,
Reggie could have remained until tho
delegation leaves," coldly replied the
girl.
"Well, wo got to keep In with him
till Mr. Van gits things fixed. You see,
If ho gits ma'd and reports on us to
Washington, we'll git kicked oft the
reservation nnd bnrrcd from nny
chance of tho mine."
Did Reggie say that?"
Yep. It's why, he says, ho leavoa
It to you to keep quiet about tho en
gagement. If you let on nbout It to
Hardy, he's likely to git jealous and
put Senntor Clemmer next. .That
would queer the whole deal at this
stage of the game."
"I do not believe that Captain Hardy
would do such a thing," declared the
girl.
"All right. Mr. Van leaves it to
you to tell him, If you want to. I
ain't saying Cap mayn't be a straight-
laced In everything else. But when
It comes to being dead gone on a girl
like you, and nt his age, too needn't
tell me he won't do his level best to
put Mr. Van out of the running any
way ho can."
The girl sprang up, her eyes afire
with a flare of unreasoning anger.
"no shall not I" sho cried. "Reggla
is coming back I"
Ho won't have no chance to if It
leaks out about you nnd hlin going to
git married."
Married 1" The angry scarlet ol
the girl's cheeks deepened to a rose.
Notes of Indignation and Joy mingled
oddly In her half-murmured predic
tion : "IIo will come back 1 That med
dler shall not prevent I"
"You won't go and git Cap down on
us, will you?" remonstrated Dupont
"Walt and1 see," she replied.
When, at the usual supper hour,
Hardy presented himself nt the Du
pont door, his bearing was reserved
and somewhat diffident. Dupont, who
was alone in the pnrlor, genially bade
him enter. But Hardy lingered In the
doorway until Mnrlo appeared.
"Pardon me, Miss Dupont," ho said,
ns ho met her look of surprise. "I
came to say that if you do not con
sider it worth whllo to board me, 1
can muko shift for myself."
"Indeed, but you shall not!" ex
claimed tho girl with a graclousness
that brought a glow into his grave
face. "What should we do without
youf compnny nt table?"
"You nro very kind to say it"
She smiled. "Whero havo you been
keeping yocrself all day?"
"I rodo up Wolf river to the falls.
A canal to Irrlgnto a large area could
bo led down from there, nnd later on
T-.
UllllUlll. UIIU UVUllUU UUUIUJ 1IUDU4UVU 1 . .
in discussing wnys nnd means for tho ., ,,., ,. nt,i o oats-
development of tho Indians as farm- Vlinilnrvvn fr ",nP. ..T thought nf 110 trlcd t0 sco her nIonc- .nua
When Dupont noted tho hour, ' . " " ... ,., V... failed. Sho was too clever for him.
i I'linrNn iiii niiiiiii iinvii liiiii hut utTiiiiii
ors.
thero seemed senrccly tlmo for even
sending his messages. I could have
But when ho went out to mount, sho
ono of tho captain's qulclc-chat.go tol- j "m -- - ; permitted him a single parting kiss In
lets. Yet ho appeared at tho door of f "T Z T itrfo n,V 1 1 , the presence of her father.
tho Dupont house, spick and span and hltc,u As u ,g. ho ha8 Inessc( Ullngs
Dupont had saddled ouo of his own
his beard clean shaven, without hnv
Ing required his hostess to wult sup
per half n minute.
As ho entered In responso to Du
pout's hospitable bellow, thero was a
0 I I A !!. Aft ltl. 11. X
up in n way thnt will requlro the P,0UlL'V" , , , ,
nLnm nf n frond lnhhvlst tn null oler. As they Jogged down tho road
Jiff ,nm In nnv 1.1ml nf sl.nnn tn lU tllO dilll Starlight llO bit Off n
suit us " "chnw" of plug tobacco, squinted nt
t ,tn nnt ufcn tho wnv vnit snnnk tho vague form of his companion, and
perceptible hesitancy in his manner. nf ltn . lohbvlntr." murmured chuckled.
Matlo wns seated ut tho far end of tho Mario "What's tho Joko?" Irritably queried
room near Vandervyn. Sho roso, nnd vimilorwn smiled condescendlncly. Vandervyn.
came forward to greet Hardy, her chin rv .icur ciri a crooked deul can " 'Tulu't no Joko, Mr. Van. Just tho
proudly uptllted. twlst throuch tho devious ways of same, It tickles mo to know you nnd
"There seems to hnvo been n gen- pniwross nml the departments without Marie has agreed to hitch up.
eral misunderstanding of motives, trouble. An honest, stralchtforward Who said anything nbout an ngree-
enptnln." sho remarked with frnnk dl- mnttor. such ns this treaty, needs ment?" snapped tho young man.
rectness. "I still consider tlint you Utrnntr nulllnc to cot as far ns the "Now, now, keep on your shirt I"
wero unduly harsh, but I now under- president's signature."
stand that you meant well aud per- But you will uso only honest meth
haps had somo excuse. Reggie says 0ii8 jn your lobbying?" .
that wo aro all to worn togetber ror "What else?" queried Vandervyn,
the gtjpd of tho tribe." his eyes wldo nnd guileless. "I wish
soothed Dupont. "Mario wouldn't
never havo let you kiss her If sho
didn't Intend to tnko you."
Vundervyn suddenly changed his
tone: "I'm glad to hear you say it,
"It pleases movcry much to hear to earn my commission nil free and Jake. You see, sho does not nlto
you sny It." above-board. You need not bo sur-
"What interest havo you In 'helping prised, however, If n big sllco of graft
them?" sho queried, evidently roluc- lis deducted from tho nmouut nppropri
tunt to bollcvo his motives unselfish, uted to pay tho tribe."
'It moans u good '.nark on his of- "How dishonest 1"
flclal record," buutered Vundervyn. I "It's tho only way to get tho trlbo
gether llko tho Idea of keeping quiet
about our engagement our betrothal,
you would say In Canndu. Bat If
Hardy should hcarrof It, he, probably
would notify my uncle. Then goodby
inluo and all." '" ,
The Girl Sprang Up, Her Eyes Afire
With Unreasoning Anger.
I believe n dam could be constructed
nbovo tho falls at a comparatively
small cost It would convert the val
ley abovo Into a largo storage reser
voir, to hold tho winter floods."
"You must show mo your plans nt
tho falls themselves l" declared Mario
with nn enthusiasm more gratifying
to him than would havo been a per
sonal compliment.
They went In to supper, earnestly
discussing his plans for tho betterment
of tho tribe.
Do you believe that Marie is
as crooked as her father and
lover? Will Hardy eventually
be able to get a square deal for
the Indians?
(TO iiii CONTINUED.
