Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The North Platte semi-weekly tribune. (North Platte, Neb.) 1895-1922 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 27, 1917)
THE GEMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE, NORTH PLATTE. NEBRASKA. The Qwarterereec! A Modem Imidlnaint Reservation Stoiry by Robert: Ames Beimel JH5 fEQ IF you discovered that an able career wan trying to do harm to the girl you loved hy stealing her affections and turning them to ovll pur poses, would you .shoot him before he spoiled the girl or wait until he did It and then kill him? Con slder Captain Hardy's predicament, as described In this installment. The army oftlccr, you will recall, went to Lakotah reservation as acting agent following the murder of Agent Nogen nnd a threatened uprising of the Indians. Wounded by an ambush shot, he falls In love with .Mario Dupont, a quarterbreed, who nurses him, but gives no dcllnlto answer to his proposal of marriage because she Is enamored of Reg inald Vandervyn, agency clerk and scapegrace nephew of Senator Clemmer. Hardy learns the Indians aro disaffected because old Jacques Dupont, a wily post trader, and Vandervyn have cheated them In an Illegal tribal mine deal. At first the red men, deceived by Vandervyn, misunderstand the officer's motives, but llnnlly accept him as their friend, and a commission, led by Vanderwyn, prepares to go to Washington to secure u division of tribal lands and the sale of mines owned by Indians. Vandervyn plans to get profit for himself. CHAPTER XVI Continued. 0 So began tho second period of nar 4y's dose companionship with the girl, and tho Intimacy appeared as sincere nnd friendly as tho first one, when Van dervyn was In tho mountains with Redbear. Almost every day they rodo out to examine tho Wolf river water shed, nnd cstlmnto as best they could without surveying Instruments the number of acres that could bo put un der ditch. Hardy had at onco written for re ports on similar undertakings, lie foro receiving them ho was agreeably surprised by un official telegram from Washington Instructing him to at onco send on tho tribal delegation, In tho chnrgo of Redbear. So swift an un reeling of government red tape proved that powerful Influences wero favor ing tho consummation of the new treaty. Hardy ungrudgingly gave Vandervyn tho credit of being a very successful benevolent lobbyist. A runner was dispatched to bring In Redbear and tho delegates. They camo without delay. Rcdbear's arm was so nearly Healed that ho had full oso of It. OInna did not accompany him. Ho said their grandfather had become so fond of her that ho had Insisted upon her remaining In tho mountains until tho return of tho del egation from Washington. Mario of fered to Bend for her nnd give her a home whllo her brother was away, but Redbear hastily declared that tho girl wished to stay with tho old chief. Hardy took charge of tho delegation as far as tho railroad, nnd Mario nnd Dupont wont nlong to keep him com pany. Ho provided for tho comfort aboard trnln of Redbear and tho live lolemn chiefs, nnd shipped them off With through tickets to Washington nnd a careful sot of Instructions to help them In tho conduct of their mis ilon. "My only wish Is that I might go with them," ho remarked, as tho Iron horse" whirled them away toward tho land of tho sunrise. "They will bo llko Babes In tho Woods." "You Buro hnvo dono your level best for Uicm, Cap," ropllod Dupont. "You tfn't got no llccnso to worry nohow. Mr. Van Is tlicro to boost 'cm nlong." "Besides, you hnvo your work here," Added Mario with a glanco that com pletely diverted his thoughts. They spent tho night in tho rough lhack misnamed a hotel, nnd at dawn tturtcd on tholr return to tho agency. A.8 Dupont's pony wns continually lag ting behind, Hardy hud tho pleasure 5f Marie's company virtually ulono for tho greater part of tho ride, She leemed to enjoy this quite as much is he, and remained In gracious good humor oven through tho blazing hent Df midday. Nor did sho allow herself lo feel fatlguo until, after their arrival At tho agency, sho had cooked a sa rory supper, and then entertained Hardy for nn hour or more In her nr- Untie llttlo p&rVv. Tho next dny, fresh us over, Mnrlo Wns rendy to rldo up to Uio falls and help him run n lino ot levels with tho Anatrumonts that ho had hired In town. Never hnd ho known anyone no abounding In Ufo. Mentally ns well ma jAt;lcally, sho seemed over tireless, buoyant, animated. .Day after day thoy worked and planned for tho good of tho tribe; day nftcr day her graclousuess toward him Increased. And day after day his We for her deepened nnd strength snod until It could bo seen In his overy look and net, nnd heard in overy In flection of his volco when ho Bpoko to hor. Though her manner townrd him showed no trace of overt coquetry, sho mndo no effort to repulse his silent dovotlon or to check tho growth of his passion. A week aftor tlio departure of tho Solcgatlon found him fully looking tho art of a gallant lover ardent, youth lul, almost handsome. Ho had lost much of his former look of penslvo severity. Even tho Bllvory hairs over his temples seemed to bo regaining their original ruddy brown. A few days later one of tho lines of tvcls happened to bring him and tho Ktrl to tho edgo of the coulee, across from tho butto. no suggested that thoy go down nnd across to tho spring rill for n drink. Ah they turned buck, Mario rccog sized tho exact spot whero ho had been shot. Womanlike, sho shud tiered und turned palo nt tho rocol lection, though at tho tlmo of tho oc- turrenco sho had been so brave. "Look!" sho said lit a half-whisper. "Hero Is where you fell, I thought s-ou were killed!" 'Tho exporlcnco was well worth man of unscrupulous character and political power enough to wreck your while," he replied. His volco shook with the Irresistible passion of his love. "Dearest I let mo call you that here, this onco I It was hero I first looked Into tho depths of your heart, and learned how good and kind you arc." Tho girl turned to hide her faco from tho reverent adoration of his gaze. "No, no," sho murmured. "Don't, please 1" "I must speak, dear," ho replied. "I ask nothing of you. It is only that I wish to tell you how you mado mo realize again tljat Ufo Is worth living. When I camo from tho Coast, I hud lost ono dearer to mo than nnyono else In all tho world my mother. Sho was n llttlo woman, very frail her bluo eyes wero dim nnd faded, her hair white; but oven when she wns at tho very end her dear eyes sought to ease my grief with tho snmo look you gavo mo as you bent over rao here and thought mo fatally Injured." "Plcasol" begged tho girl, choking back a sob. "I do not deserve Your mother I but I am not kind nor good I" Hardy went on In tho samo voice of profound passion: "You lifted mo out of tho shadow of tho Valley. You camo to mo In my blank darkness, n glorious light of dlvlno goodness that compelled mo to sco that nil wus not wrong with tho universe that even so grent n loss ns mlno might bo for tho best." "I am not what you think me I nm not I" sho reiterated. "You restored my faith and hone." ho Insisted. "It would bo selfish of mo to nsk anything moro of you now " "It would bo useless useless I" sho cried. Ho wns too llttlo versed In feminine naturo to reallzo that her vehemence might indlcnto an effort to suppress an inner doubt of tho usscrtlon. Had ho been a few years younger, youth ful Impetuosity might hnvo won him that which his rovcrent respect shrank from urging. Ho had taken her gloved hand. Ho pressed it to his Hps, nnd freed her. "I shall not nnnoy you, dear," ho said. "Yet I cannot tnko that as final. I shall wait until ho returns. Then I Bhall tako my fighting chance." "You will?" sho whispered. "I shall not glvo up until you havo pledged yourself to him. If I can, I will prevent that Ho cannot pos sibly lovo you nB I lovo you. If It Is posslblo to win you for my wife, I will do It." Mario quivered, nnd shrank from him as If startled. "You say, when "My Friend, Jake Dupont, Gentlemen." ho comes back But until then you you will not" "Until then wo shall continue to bo tho samo good comrades that wo havo been." Tho girl drow In a deep breath. t;v uj &u uuuit lu vi iv. Hardy accepted tho suggestion with a self-control that was ns remnrkublo as It wus misplaced. CHAPTER XVII. Tho Only Woman. During the pleasant, busy days that followed, to all appearances Murlo en Joyed tho work nnd planning nnd tho long hours of companionship fully us much ns Hardy. Dupont, itow over bluff and gcnlul, kept closo to his store. But durlug tho long evening discussions his eyes often twinkled cunningly under their gray thatch. No word had been rwieived from Washington except two notes from Vnndervyn to Dupont, reporting fnvor ablo progress and Inclosing scaled let ters to Marie. She told nothing of what these contnlncd, even to her fa ther. Hardy's first and last message In regard to tho new treaty was an offi cial notification that It had been duly approved nnd signed, nftcr fifteen mil lion dollars had been decided upon as tho compensation to tho trlbo for tho mineral lands. Special commissioners hnd been named to proceed to tho res ervation and arrango for tho Immedi ate opening of tho mineral lands to en try, and tho allotment of tho remaining lands to the members of tho tribe. Hardy wns surprised when ho saw that tho tlmo set for the departure of tho commissioners had already passed. Tho document had been misdirected, had been returned to Washington, nnd then seemingly had been pigeonholed for several days by some careless clerk beforo being remailed to him. If ho had not established a moro fre quent mnll service, In place of tho cus tomary weekly trip to town by ono of tho police, the commissioners might havo arrived beforo ho received tho notice. Ho was still more surprised when, tho following day, ho and Mnrlo roda down Sioux creok to where It flovcd Into Wolf river. The moment tho view down tho coulee opened beforo them, they perceived several tents pitched In tho bottom, at tho foot of tho butte. Thoy found twenty or twenty flvo rough-looking men encamped along tho spring rill In light dog-tents. A few wero cowboys, but tho greater number had tho nppenranco and outfits of prospecting miners. They stared at Mario with tho respectful admiration of typical Westerners for an "honest" womnn, nnd readily answered Hardy's civil questions. Notice of tho prospective opening of tho mineral lands of the reservation had been published In a few very ol- scuro weekly papers. Ono of tho men gavo Hardy u blurred sheet of a llttlo country Journal, nnd pointed out tho government notice. It wns printed In tho midst of several uninteresting legal notices. Tho old fellow winked know ingly, nnd remarked thnt, as long ns ho wns In on tho gnme, ho didn't enro how quiet It was played. "Whnt could that man havo meant about being In on a quiet game?" Ma rie asked Hardy, ns they rodo down the coulee to tnko tho road back to tho ngeucy. "I bcllcvo I understand, nnd I do not altogether llko It," replied nnrdy. "Tho fellow probably Is right In think ing that unduo lnflucnco Is being ex erted to glvo as llttlo publicity as pos slblo to tho opening of tho mineral lands to entry." "Do you really think bo? Of courso It Is not right Yet whero Is tho harm? Thcso men hnvo be'en enter prising enough to sclzo tho opportu nity, nnd they descrvo tho chances of good fortune." "Tho transaction has rather too much tho nppenranco of a prearranged scheme," replied Hardy, nis thought ful faco darkened with tho shadow of anxiety. "If I could bo sure that It would bring only good fortune to you I" Tho profound tenderness nnd con cern In his volco seemed to stnrtlo Marie. Sho leaned forward, and put her pony into a gallop. Tho day before, Immediately upon receipt of tho official stntcment from Wnshlugton, nardy had sent a messen ger to notify Tl-own-konzu. Two days later tho head chief camo with nil his largo family, Including Olnnn. Mario Insisted that tho girl Bhould come to Btuy with her until tho return of Red bear, and Immediately fitted out tho girl with good dresses from hor own wardrobe. When nardy spoko of her generosity, sho smiled nnd shrugged "It la llttlo enough to do for nny ono, captain. I wns tired of those old gowns. Auywny, ns n quarterbreed, I owe It to my own self-respect to keep a halfbrccd girl from going around llko u full-blood woman." "Her brother will bo greatly pleased." "I hud no thought of him. Ho Is rather u worthless fellow. It Is strange to mo how proud Olnnn Is of him. Sho says nothing, but ono can see thnt sho Is in n fover of Joyous excitement over tho prospect of his return." Hardy frowned, parted his lips to Bpcnk, nnd thought hotter of it "You wero going to say V ob served Mario. "Something that must bo left unsaid, If you will pardon mo," ho replied, and ho Bhlfted tho conversation to tho question of nccommodutlons for the i commissioners. ' proposed that Hardy bo summoned to Tho nrrlval of tho commissioners ' attend upon them. Vandervyn Inter early In tho ufternoon of the following posed with the suavo suggestion that day would hnvo taken tho agency by tho nctlng agent might leave In tho surprlso If Hardy hid not posted u lookout on tho signal mountnln. The prearranged smoke-sign gavo warning of tho approach of tho party while It was yet mnny miles nway over tho plains. Even it that, Hardy nnd Marie and Dupont wero not quite ready to grnct the visitors when they came Inti view down the valley. The explanation of their quick trip from the railroad at once became evident. Commissioners, Indian dele gates and all were stowed In two large touring cars. Vandervyn wns driving the foremost cnr. Ho brought it up the slope of tho agency terrnco with a rush, and spun It around in a curve that ended beforo tho porch of tho Dupont house. Tho second car rolled straight on across tho terraco to tho tepeo of Tl-owa- konza. Hardy, who was about to start across to tho office, paused In tho porch to welcome the commissioners. Dupont hurried out of tho rear door way of his store. Marie, after a slight bow In acknowledgment of Vnnder vyn's respectful salute, quietly drew back Into her parlor. In the front seat beside Vnndervyn was a big, red-faced man, whoso bleared eyes Immediately began to scrutlnlzo Hardy, and ns quickly turned awny when they met his clear gaze. The five men In the tonneau all had tho look of n certain kind of poli tician, nnd all met Hardy's cordlnl greeting with a cold formality that would have chilled even n place-hunter. Put upon his dignity by this unex pected rebuff, the captain drew back Into the porch. Dupont received a moro pleasant response to his bluff welcome. Ho Jerked open tho door of tho tonneau, and offered his hand to each of the commissioners in turn ns they stepped stiffly out Into the porch. "My friend Jnkc Dupont, gentle men," snld Vnndervyn. Every member of tho party at once smiled upon tho trader, and shook hands with him. Most cordial of all was tho big man who had sat In the front seat. Mario now stepped out to greet tho visitors, and was formally Introduced by Vandervyn. With n gracious com posure that would have done credit to the most exclusive of drawing rooms, she welcomed tho visitors, and Invited them to luncheon. Tho most portly member of tho com mission promptly accepted tho Invita tion on behalf of himself nnd his com panlons, and tho party followed their hostess Into her parlor. Vandervyn lingered a moment to favor Hardy with a smile of Ironical condolence. "Chesty lot, these lnmo ducks 1" he said. "But they stand In with tho big fellows. They had tho cars shipped out from Chicago to accommodate them. Better snuggle up on their wnrm side What, not going, surely? You must come In to lunch nnd show us how tactful a tactician can be." "Thnnks, no," replied Hardy. "I'll nsk you kindly to excuse mo to Miss Dupont. Tho commissioners mny find mo nt tho office nt nny tlmo thnt suits them." Vnndervyn chrugged nnd went In doors, his smile n trifle forced. He nt once Joined his purty In their eager acceptance of Dupont's most cordlnl expression of hospitality, his eight ycnr-old whisky. Mario had excused herself to tho guests. By tho tlmo sho reappeared every member of tho party was aglow with good feeling. Tho girl at onco becumo tho target for n shower of compliments, nil In doubtful taste, and Bomo decidedly too freo nnd easy, Sho looked to Vandervyn, nnd mot only with nn uneasy smile. Seeing that ho would say nothing, sho replied to tho offenders with fc. wit nnd dig nlty thnt soon altered their bearing townrd her. They wero puzzled to find a garden roso In this rouyh wilderness, but sho soon brought them to tho reali zation that they wero not nt liberty to splash mud on her petals. Tho luncheon completed her conquest. Vnndervyn enmo to tho tnblo with nil tho uneasiness goni from his Binlle. Ho took his sent, unit proceed ed to extol Mnrlc's skill ns a chef. Olnnn, bearing n tray, camo In, and began to serve luncheon. Though ex tremely shy, sho started with a deft ness that showed careful training. Sovcrnl moments passed beforo Van dervyn looked up nnd perceived her. Tho Burprlso wns too slinrp oven for his assurance. Ho stopped short In his talk, nnd stnred nt her, discon certed. At Bight of his frown tho girl dropped her trny, now fortunntely ompty, nnd with n little, gnsplng cry fled from tho room. Sho did not re appear. Mario passed off tho awk ward Incident with a smile nnd a tnct ful explanation of Olnna's cxccsslvo shyness. Tho Indian boy finished tho serving. Vnndervyn had delivered Hardy's messages. They had been received allko by Mario and by tho commission ers without comment. After luncheon one of the commissioners brusquely safe somo of tho pupcrs necessary to n full understanding of tho affairs of the agency. At this tho party lingered only for n parting nip nt Dupont's liquid hos pitality. Assuring Murle that they would return In tlmo for dinner, they left under tho escort of their host With the excuse that ho had mislaid his lint, Vandervyn returned to tho dining room. When he camo out, ho shut tho door. Mario wns alone In tho parlor. All tho suppressed fire of his passion flamed in his face, ns ho turned nnd camo swiftly back to tho waiting girl. There could be no doubt thnt ho expected her to meet him half way. She stood besldo a chair, somewhat pale, but outwardly very cnlm. She did not ndvnnco a single step. Yet, "You've Been Letting Marie Get Thick With Him." blinded by his own ardor, he came on without heeding the look In her face until within arm's-reach of her. Then nt last ho perceived her lack of re sponse, and stopped. "I say I" he exclaimed. "What's tho matter? Is this the way to welcome me back, sweetheurt?" The term of endearment brought a quick blush Into the girl's cheeks. But she replied In cold, even tones: "Aro you now nt liberty to address mo ns your flnncee?" His eyes shifted before her level gaze. "Don't bo foolish, Mario. You know you're the only woman. You know that engagement must stand un til we nre sure of the mine. There Is something else, ns well " "This is quite enough for tho pres ent," sho broke In. "I promised to wait for you until you should come back free from your cousin. You havo returned, but you nre not tree from her. Is It honorable for you to speak to mo now?" "How can I help It?" he urged, seek ing to melt her with his ardent gnze. "You aro tho only woman tho only ono In all the world to me. There Is not another half ns beautiful, a tenth ns charming 1" She quivered In response to tho deep, golden notes of his voice, yet held her self firm with all tho strength of her resolute will. "You speak of love," sho rejoined. "You say nothing of marriage." "How can I?" ho asked in an ng grieved tone. "You know that until wo get tho mine But that won't bo long now. Thcso commissioners nro Jumplng-Jucks In tho hands of my un cle. They will hustle matters through for us short order. Onco I we get tho mine, I'll bo a freo man, und then, sweethenrt " But tho girl drew back from his pleading arms. "No," sho said. "If I must wait, so must you. If you menn what you Buy, you should bo satisfied that I still feel I may havo to wnlt" "You meun what?" ho stammered. Sho clenched her hands convulsively, "Why did you como first? Why could I not hnvo known him first?" "I see," ho muttered. "It's thnt that Un soldier." "Yes, It Is that gentleman 1" she flashed bnck. Agnln tho Blender finger nails cut Into her pnlms. "Nlco fntherly old fogy!" sneered Vandervyn. "You're fnr too much alive too much of n renl womnn, to mlstnke your feeling townrd him for love, Lovo! that's tho word, sweetheart youth nnd lovo nnd happiness 1 You and I, Bweetheartl" Sho blushed and trembled. But she had spent' all tho days of his absence In thnt lntlmnto comradeship with nardy. At tho moment when Vnnder vyn thought to tnko her Into his nnns, her will rallied, her eyes hardened with resolution. "I hnvo said that I will wnlt That Is enough. You also shall wait" nis eyes narrowed. "Has it never occurred to you thnt you may bo n bit too sure of mo? Tho mlno may pinch out nftcr tho first few hundred thou sands. I'm In on another dcul that stands to net a cool million. When I get that In bunk, I ran havo any girl I choose to go nftcr." "If I had ten times a million, and could buy you a character like his, I would gladly pay It nil all I" The slash of a whip In his face would have stung him far less. Ho stared nt her u long moment, whllo tho full meaulng of the words cut through the armor of his self-esteem. Mortification, anger, furious chagrin flamed In his face. He raised his hnnd ns If to strike her, nnd Instead, whirled about nnd rushed out through the porch. Tho girl sank on her knees, and pressed her hands to her Hps to stifle the cry that would have called him back. When 8ho looked up, her faco was white and drawn with anguish. But she had conquered. "He shall not shall not know my weakness 1" she whispered with flerco determination. "If only it has offend ed him beyond forgiveness I It only he mny go away forever I I might bo able to forget him In timol" CHAPTER XVIII. Pleasant Little Surprises. Too furious to heed what he was about. Vandervyn struck off up n rug- . ged gulley behind the Dupont house. An hour pussed before ho came back down the mountaln-sldc. He wns changing his clothes when Dupont brought hlra an Impatient summons from the office: "Hurry up, Mr. Vnn. They want you. Where you been nil this time?" "Went for n stroll," drawled Vander vyn. "They can wait." His voice be came harsh nnd Incisive. "I wnnt to speak to you about something. You've been letting Marie get in thick with him." "Who? You mean CapT sparred Dupont "You didn't say you wnnied mo to keep 'em from running togeth er." "You should hnvo seen tho danger. I take It, she has been nlono with him most of the time." "Well, what of It?" muttered Du- pont "What of It?" echoed Vandervya "Don't you know enough about army olllcers to realize that he would never marry a quarterbreed?" Dupont's crafty eyes narrowed. "I'm not so all-fired sure of thnt There's lots of 'em has married oven half- breeds. I've seen 'em." "Years ngo, when the frontier was months awny from civilization." "Mebbe, nnd mebbe them breed girls wasn't a tenth as good lookers as Marie. She's a lady." Vandervyn's Hp curled. "If you must have the gaff, Jake how about your self? Do you think an officer son-in-law would care to havo you visiting him at nn army post?" Dupont scowled. "Well, there ain't been no harm done, nnd you're back now." "Quito true. But his attentions have put Mnrlo on her high horse. I wish you to take n stand against him and back mo up with her." "You sure can count mo in on that; Mr. Van," eagerly assented Dupont "All right. I've got him fixed. But I wanted to make sure of your backing. If ho comes to dinner tonight I'll havo a gay r ' surprise or two up my sleeve f.. him." "I been waiting to ask you about tho mine. How'ro wo going to work tho deal?" "We've got to mako a show of a real contest It's to bo run on the old stylo rush plan." "Supposo ono of them there men nt the butto has tho best horse?" Vandervyn thrust out his Jaw. "Don't fash yourself. I'm going to have that mine. This Is my lden of tho way we'll fix It" Ho leaned over und murmured In Dupont's ear. The trader shook his head. "Um-in ! I'm not saying that mightn't work. Just tho same, though, lt'd make you tho only ono whnt could do the enter ing. I'd bo n sooner." "Tho mine would bo entered by me, but of courso wo would hnvo the un derstanding that you wero to get your half," replied Vandervyn. He stepped briskly to tho door. "Come, I guess tho bunch has had time enough to cool their heels." Still frowning dubiously, Dupont fol lowed him over to tho olllce, where Hardy nnd tho commissioners sat wait ing for them, stiff nnd constrained. What sort of conspiracy do you think that Vandervyn and these crooked commissioners have formed against Captain Hardy? When the Indians find they have been tricked will they shed white blood? (TO BE CONTINUED.) Safe Bet A woman In Pottsvllle, Pa., laughed herself to dentil, hut wo are willing to wager that It wasn't ovor one of her husband's Jokes. Detroit Tlmex. 4
