THE 8BMI-WEEKLY TRIBUNE. NORTH PLATTE, NEBRASKA.
Before sho had flnlsW Bho wns weep
lng In the nrms of her grandfather.
Notwithstanding the delay, Hnrdy
again permitted the mare to chooso
her own pace. Though 8ho went nt
n steady trot, a messenger In tho re
THE QUARTERBREED
maining automohllo easily could have
overtaken him nt any time before dark.
But no messenger was sent.
Mldafternoon Hardy met tho car
that had taken his baggage to town.
It was piled high with the baggage of
the new agent and the commissioners.
The chauffeur, with the Indifference of
a city man, whirled past him without
The Story of an Army Officer on an Indian Reservation
By ROBERT AMES BENNET
so much as slackening speed.
CHAPTER XVIII Continued.
10
Hardy nt onco addressed Vnndcrvyn :
"Bo bo kind as to open the safe and luy
beforo Uicso commissioners every pub
lic paper In the ofllcc. They decline to
how mo their authority for an Inspec
tion of my accounts. Therefore I hnvo
declined to mnko an ofllclul presenta
tion to them of agency affairs. There
Is nothing to conceal from any In
Cdlrcr. You may hand every document
to these persons In my presence."
Vnndcrvyn nonchalantly shrugged,
and went over to open the safe. Ono
of tho commissioners remarked In nn
officious tone: "Whcro Is tho Issue
clerk? Ho ought to bo present to ex
plain his accounts."
"That's Charlie Rcdbcnr, gentle
man tho Interpreter," explained Du
pont "He lit out with his sister, down
tho creek to his house, when wo was
eating. Want mo to send for him?
You'll need htm to make your ofllclul
talk to tho chiofs."
"Yon will do as well for that, Jake,"
Interposed Vandervyn. "Besides, I be
Uovo tho commissioners will wish to
put off tho powwowing until tomor
row. Its' a tlrcsorao trip across from
tho railroad. No doubt they will
glance through tho agency papers,
and then go over to your houso to
plan tho opening of tho mineral
lands."
Tho big, blear-eyed man who had
ridden In tho front scat of tho car, nod
ded and replied In an oily tono: "If
you nssuro us tho accounts are cor
rect, Mr. Vandervyn, I think It ia need
less troublo at this time to mnko fur
ther Investigation."
"Still, oughtn't wo to" Ono of tho
commissioners began a querulous ob
jection. But his fellows wero rising
to leavo tho office, and ho bent to tho
will of tho majority.
Hardy bowed them out with punc
tilious courtesy. Ho was still working
when Mario's Indian boy brought word
that sho wished him to cotno to din
acr without fall. Ho hesitated, but at
last sent back tho reply that ho would
bo present.
Having la mind tho cold and almost
Insulting mnnnor of tho visitors, ho cut
his arrival as closo as possible This
proved to ho a tactful move. Though
tho nowcorocrs wero nil mellow with
Whisky, a chilling sllcnco followed tho
entrance of tho acting agent. Even
Dupont turned his thick shoulder and
toured hlmielf another drink without
word of greeting.
Only Vniidcrvyn raised his empty
glass to Ukj last guest, and called
Ironically: "Just In time, captuln.
Hero's to your quick progress along
tho courso of your career."
Hardy did not reply. Ho was bow
ing to Marie, who had that moment ap
peared In tho dining room doorway.
"Dinner Is served, gentlemen," sho
aid, and sho bowed In her most grando
dnmo manner. "Captain Hurdy, you
may tako mo In."
Vnndcrvyn sprang up, nngry-eyed.
Mario did not socm to pcrcolvo him.
Bho stopped In bcsldo Hardy, and wait
ed with perfect composuro whllo tho
other guests pusscd out after hor fa
ther. Vundervyn's faco waB far from
pleasant us ho followed tho others. Tho
Ctrl did not, look ut him. Hardy escort
ed her to tho head of tho table, and
ho gavo him tho seat of honor. Tho
chnlrmun of tho commission was gra
ciously assigned to tho scat on her
loft
N-Jdardy was deeply gratified, but ho
flud some one more competent than
myself."
"Will you not remonstrate against
this unjust order?" sho exclaimed.
"You forget that I am u soldier," ho
replied. "Army life 1b u llfo of serv
ice. You will now understand why
most army women nro army girls be
fore they are army wives."
"Ah but If n woman loves I" mur
mured Mario, and her guzc sunk with
tho drooping of her silken lids. "Alas
ka must bo a magnificent land to vis
it" Vnndcrvyn was bending to scat him
self. Ho straightened as if struck.
The suddenness of the movement drew
all byes back to him. His wine-flushed
faco had gono white. Ha met tho won
dering look of tho man opposite, and
forced a smile.
"I havo still another announcement
to make," ho said, "ono that you will
all admit to bo still moro pleasant thnn
tho delightful news of our gallant
friend's summons to wider fields of
service Gentlemen and lady per
mit mo to remind you that all tho
world loves a lover. This being true,
it follows that all tho world must dou-
No, do not attempt to deny the facts,
please. It will only add to the bitter
ness. I am trying to keep from say
ing harsher things. I cannot hide tho
fact that you hnvo struck mo a sovero
blow. It would bo easier if you had
not Insisted upon my coming here to
night to bo made the butt of his mock
ery." Mario threw up her head, her eyes
blazing with Indignant scorn.
"You enn believe that of mo? I
thought you a gentleman 1" Her voice
hardened. "You havo been served as
you deserve. And now I am glad
glad 1"
Ho turned about and went out
through tho parlor. Tho other men
wero clinking glasses In Jolly good-fellowship.
Dupont wnverlngly offered
him tho whlskv bottle. Ho thrust It
back and left tho house.
"I'm tho New Agent."
bly love a pair of lovers. It is my
prlvllego nnd delight to bo ablo to an-
nounco that, as I am not at present
free to cngngo myself, the other mem
ber of tho pair, our charming hostess,
has graciously given her promise to
wult for me."
Ho caught up his chnmpugno glass,
which tho Indlun boy had Just refilled.
"Gentlemen, hero's to tho loveliest
girl In the world, tho lndy who has
given mo her true promise-1" .
Tho commissioners rose Dupont
rose. Hardy sat as if stunned, his eyes
fixed upon Mario's faco in a strained,
half-Incredulous stare. Sho was very
pale. Sho Bccmcd to shrink. Yet sho
mado no nttempt to deny Vnndervyn'b
CHAPTER XIX.
In Self-Defense.
Bather early the next morning tho
big, red-faced, blear-eyed man came
alono to tho office. Ho found Hardy
making out n final report as acting
agent
"Getting ready to turn over?" ho
asked.
"I am prepared to do so tho moment
tho new agent arrives nnd has checked
tho lists of agency property," wus
Hardy's curt reply.
"All right. I'll O. K. your report.
Don't need to check tho lists of an offi
cer nnd gentleman," tho man purred
In his oiliest tone. Ho handed over a
packet "Hero aro tho pupers reliev
ing you, nnd my appointment I'm tho
now ngent. I held them back to givo
young Vandervyn tho chnnco to spring
his pleasant little surprises on you."
"Very considerate," said Hnrdy. Ho
opened nnd read tho official document
with care, pocketed his own, and hand
ed tho other back to tho new agent
"Very good. Now, If you will examine
tho accounts of the chief clerk and tho
issue clerk. I hnvo brought them down
to date, together with my report"
Tho now agent glanced at tho papers
and took up a pen. "You'vo certified
their correctness. That's enough for
me. I'll givo you my O. K. of tho turn
over."
"You would oblige mo by checking
tho property In tho warehouse."
"Wasto of time, captain. You'll
want to be starting for tho railroad.
Wo mado n night of It Commission
era' heads are sore this morning. They
want to get to work, nnd this is the
best place. I can loan you my touring
car to tako you over to tho railroad."
"TnanK you. l prefer to rldo my
mare," said llardy. I shall ask you,
however, to send ono of tho police with
my trunk In Dupont's buckboard."
"I'll send it In tho motor. There's
a lot moro of our own baggago to bo
brought out from tho railroad," in
sisted tho now agent
Ho receipted Hardy's papers, and
went to hunt up tho chauffeur of tho
atntmiinnta TTnrrlv afnnil nn wIMi ilir.
other men nnd, for tho first time that 80C0nd nttrdyttok Wf private pa
evening, ho emptied his chnmpagno
glass.
'Youth to youth I" ho murmured.
Meeting Vnndervyn's exultnut smile,
ho drew in u deep breath,- nnd his volco
rang clear and steady: "You aye to
bo congratulated, sir. I wish you tho
great good fortuno that you may In all
things provo worthy of tho lndy's
trust."
pers nnd tho reports that ho wished to
mall, and went over to his quarters to
pack his baggage. Dupont sent a po
llccmnn to fetch Hardy's maro and
enmo in to offer his big hand,
llopo you ain't going off with no
hard feelings, Cap," he said,
llardy gravely shook hands with
him.
"None, this morning," ho assured.
"A man cannot afford to cherish en
Vnnilnrwn'a flnalinrl tnnt m-lncin.w1
' "- " -J ............ i.tiuunuivu, i ... t , i
-'rM-M? itu.j uvviiij tt tilllivu, uui iiu I.i i .i tit t ! Hilly. X ullllli UoK VUU IU UU 1VILU Uiu LLI
- ?w - : ... ' .1 lint- wlinMinp with uniitm, ni niifrnp nu1,1 I m.h.i. won juu iu b
xauea to realize the full meaning of " " "; " , - " VY"" tho tepeo of the head chief."
hU proferment as tho most distin
guished gentleman present. Vnmler
vya nlono was" fully nwaro of tho mo
thes that had prompted Mario to hon
or his rival. Ho bent over his plate,
tilu Up between his teeth. For a time
fao could neither cnt nor talk. Then
bo rallied and, if or a while, sat staring
Into tho bubbling amber of his chnm
Pfljrno, his Hps curved In an odd smile,
t last a merry quip from Mario stir-
rod him to action. Ho roso and bowed
her.
. t i .. Vi,,nD. replied. Ho
..nt- mtln iniinlMlKimmnlll tn millfn It I CK IO Iicr.
(till t.VHV -...v ...... ..........
1b my fond expectation that you will
relish them qulto us much as you have
relished this dollclous llttlo dinner."
Ho looked at Mario, smiled, aud con
tinned :
"My first announcement relates to
bw martial fellow-guest, tho gallant
ad distinguished Captain Floyd Hnr
dy. Tho prlvllego und pleasuro aro
inlno to Inform tho distinguished olil
cer that tho war department has been
pleased to rellovo him of this irksome
detail to grout him permission Imme
diately to Join hla regiment, which is
ht Vancouver barracks, Washington,
tinder orders to Ball for Alaska."
All oyca turned upon Hurdy. Somo
aUntcd with mallco; others wero cold.
iKtrio's nlono wero sympathetic. Hardy
glanced around tho table with an I m
perturbed look, nnd bowed to Vander- to bollove "
tuctfulness diverted attention from tho
rivals.
Tho coffeo and cigars will bo served
in tho parlor," sho announced.
Vandervyn somowhnt hnstlly led tho
way to tho other room. Hurdy, being
tho farthest nwny, followed behind tho
others. When ho came to tho door ho
coolly closed and bolted It.
"Cuptaln I" breathlessly exclaimed
Mario. "What will they think?"
"Most of them nro boyond thinking,
nnd they havo tho whisky bottle," ho
faced about, and camo
Sho shrank beforo tho look la his
eyes,
"You you havo no right i" Bho mur
mured. "I will go"
"Not until you hnvo heard mo. Thero
may be no other opportunity for mo to
boo you alono beforo I go away," ho
snld. "I do not wish to reproach you
Yot you must realize that your failure
to tell me of your promise to him led
mo to bellovo I had a fighting chance."
"You do not usk mo to explain,"
sho faltered.
"What Is thero to explain?" ho re
joined. "You know that I trusted
your sincerity utterly, and you wero
willing to nmuBO yourself with mo
whllo ho was away."
"I you havo uo right," Bho Bought
to defend horsclf. l nover led you
vyn.
"Pray accept my acknowledgment
mt tho kindliness with which you mnko
the announcement," ho said, nnd ho
turned to.amllo gravely Into Mario's
'troubled face. "I could havo nBked
tfer tlmo to carry out our Irrigation
"You toldmo nothing of that prom
Iso to him. I thought you what you
knew I thought you; aud all theso
weeks, ovory uny now can u woman
look so beautiful seem bo true and
loving In ovcry word and net nnd toy
with tho deepest feelings of n man as
Dupont hesitated, and ended by
complying with tho request They
found old Tl-own-konza seated in his
tepee, waiting for tho white chiofs to
call n council. When, with Dupont's
nld, Hnrdy explained that ho must go
away, tho noblo old chief's stolidity
fell from him llko u mask, and he
roso to cry out In impassioned speech
against tho depnrturo of tho trlbo's
true friend. Hnrdy could only express
his deep regret, and repeat that ho had
to obey tho orders of his own boud
chief. When ho hud explained tho
report on Irrigation that ho wus moll
lng to tho Indian bureau, ho exchanged
trilling gifts of friendship with tho
chief und tore himself away.
Tho policeman wus waiting with tho
mure. Hardy guvo him a coin anu
swung Into tho saddle
"Ono lust word, Dupont," ho said,
"Kindly tell your daughter what I said
about not cherishing enmity."
"How about Mr. Van?" questioned
Dupont.
"You need say nothing to him from
mo. But " Hardy bent over in tlio
saddle to bring his stern faco near
tho trader's "I ndvlso you to wutch
thut young man."
Dupont stood for some tlmo staring
after tho ofllccr. When ho started for
his store, beforo which a crowd of In-
dtuns were waiting, his shrewd eyes
wero narrow with calculation, nnd bis
stubby forefinger wus rubbing tho griz
zled hair under tho brim of his hat
Hardy permitted tho mare to chooso
her own pace
As ho ncared tho foot of tho valley,
ho saw Iledbcur and Olnna riding up
tho creek from tho road crossing. Tho
girl drooped In ner suddlo as If 11L A
Itedbcar was Intoxicated, and he was
ubuslng ills sister in tho foulest of
lungunge. When Hardy approached,
the girl averted her shame-reddened
face, and drooped still lower over her
pony's withers. Bedbcnr leered Inso
lently nt the Intruder nnd burst Into a
drunken laugh. Though his body was
reeling, he had almost perfect control
of his tongue
Look at him, Weonn; the " Hero
followed a number of obscene epi
thets. "That man of yours lost no
time. The tin soldier Is on tho run.
Told you wo had fixed him."
You drunken dogl" said Hardy.
"Keep quiet and go home."
"Who's going to make me?" chal
lenged the halfbrecd, his .bloodshot
eyes flaring with vicious anger. "I
don't tako any moro orders from you.
You'd try to put the killing of Nogen
on me try to mnko out It was mo shot
him, and tried to shoot you those two
times I But Van fixed you. He prom
ised to keep you from putting mo In
Jail. That's why I let him havo Weena
when we went Into tho mountains."
"You curl" cried Hardy. "So you
permitted him?"
Olnna threw up her head with tho
courago of outraged Innocence.
"Why should ho stop him from tak
ing me?" sho shrilled. "I am only a
breed girl, but my man loves me, mo
onlyl I had a right to be his wife If
I wanted to."
"Ills wife?" Incredulously exclaimed
Hardy. "A man of his stamp never
could havo married you."
"lie did! ho did I" Insisted Olnna.
"I thought you too kind to think I
would be a bad girl. Ho married mo
by tribal custom and tho common-law
way of white people."
Hardy's sharp gaze softened with
pity. "You poor young innocent I
Tribal custom Is not binding on a white
man."
But common-law marriage I" trl
umphantly rejoined tho girl In tho
faith of her unquestioning love. "He
said white people often get married
that way."
Hardy burst out between pity and
indignation: "Tho scoundrel! You
poor child 1 Common-law marriage is
only half-murrluge at best. To mako
It Qven that much of a tic, It Is ueccs
sary that a man and woman should
llvo togther as husband und wlfo
openly. Ho kept this matter secret;
ho persuaded you and your brother to
tell no one tho scoundrel 1"
Stricken with grief und shame, Oln-
nn uttered a moan nnd crouched down
over her pony's withers, with her fnco
in her hands. But tho drink-crazed
brain of Bedbear comprehended only
that Hardy was berating his sister's
husband. Ho mado an effort to
straighten in tho saddle, and his right
hand fumbled eagerly for tho hilt of
his revolver. Hardy swerved his mare
alongside and reached out. Bedbear
slumped from his saddlo llko a sack of
grain.
Olnna slipped down to run to her
brother. But Hnrdy was quicker. Ho
throw himself on tho half-dazed drunk
ard. A skillful wrench loosened tho
stubborn clutch of tho other's fingers
on tho gun. Disarmed and perhaps
partly sobered by tho shock, Bedbear
stretched out on tho dusty sod.
"Oh, he Is hurt I" pasped Olnna.
Hardy rolled tlio arunKnru away
from her nnd.spoko sternly: "Ho Is
not hurt. Bedbcnr, stand up 1"
Bedbear gathered himself together
and, aided by OInnn, staggered to his
feet Tho ponies hnd cantered nway,
Hnrdy led his mare around besldo
Bedbcnr, and ho nnd Olnna, between
them, tnnnnged to lift tho ulmost help
less mun Into tho suddle. Whllo they
wero going tho hulf-mllo to tho cnbln,
Hardy led tho mnre, and Olnna walked
besldo her brother to steady him in
his sent. Neither snw tho rider who
rodo up out of tho creek bed beyond
tho cabin and wheeled from vlow be
hind tho end wall.
When they renched tho house, Hardy
helped Bedbear dismount beforo tho
door and hnnded him his unloaded re
volver. Ho then lifted his hut to Oln
nn with utmost respectfulness.
"Miss Bedbear," ho Bald, "you havo
boen wronged in a most desplcnblo
munner. Ho bus lied to you. You
must keep nway from him. Go back
into tho mountains with your gruud
father. I bellovo tho ruscul will soon
leuvo tho reservation, nnd then you
will bo freo from him."
"Thanks for tho prophecy, captuln,"
camo a jcor from tho end of tho cabin.
They stnred about, nnd saw Vander
vyn standing ut tuo corner, nis iuco
set In a cynical smile.
"So you'vo quit soldiering und tuken
to preaching," ho Bneercd. ,
"O-o-ohl" sighed Olnun, and sho
crept toward tho mocker, her hands
imploringly outstretched, her soft
eyes brimming over with tears of piti
ful entreaty. "Tell him tell him It
Isn't truol Tell him our murrlugo is
a rcnl marriage I"
"What a fuss over a llttlo thing llko
thntl" ho rallied.
Tho girl cringed back, and sank
down, la silent anguish to hldo her
face.
"For Bhnmc. slrl" cried Hnrdy.
j4r. But, doubtless, tho bureau will I you havo amused yourself with mine? I nearer view confirmed his suspicions, I "Havo you no shred ot decency?"
Vandervyn laughed. Bedbear start
ed staggering toward hlra, the empty
revolver concealed behind his back
with drunken cunning.
"You think it's funny," ho muttered,
"funny jokoi Youown up thut mur-
nngo witn ner wusn't rem llko you
suld It wus."
"What If it wusn't?" buntered Vnn
ucrvyn. "it was goou enougu ror a
halfbrecd squaw." He smiled nt
Hardy. "Yes, good enough for any
halfbrecd or quarterbrced. I'll have
Mario next"
Hurdy tensed, yet lnstnntly checked
tho wrath that would havo Impelled
him to hurl himself at tho throat of
tho mocker. Bedbeur lucked such Iron
self-mustcry, and liquor had numbed
his sense of subserviency to Vander
vyn. At Marie's name his fury burst
out.
"You liar I You thief I" he yelled.
"She's mine I You promised I I'll
show you, you " Cursing wildly, he
flourished his revolver, nnd brought It
down In n wavering nttempt to take
aim.
Stop I Stop 1" Hardy cried to Van
dervyn. "It's not loaded t Stopl"
But Vnndervyn hnd ulrcady whipped
out his revolver. From the muzzle
leaped n sheet of flame. Bedbear flung
up his arms and pitched backward
Swiftly Vandervyn recocked his re
volver and aimed It at Hardy.
"Put up your hands I Keep them
nwny from your coat I" ho shouted In
fierce menace.
Hardy did not put up his hands. Ho
bent down to feel tho henrt of tho
halfbrecd. Shrieking with horror,
Olnna fell fainting ncross tho body of
her brother. Hardy looked up, grim
and quiet
"I hope you nro sutlsficd," he snld.
"You hnvo killed him."
Vnndcrvyn kept his revolver pointed
at Hardy. ,
"I shot In self-defense," he snarled.
"Don't you mnko n move. He had his
gun on me "
"It was empty. I called to you."
"You didn't not till I had fired. I
shot him down to save my life. I'll
shoot you, too. If you try to draw."
Get out of here!" ordered Hnrdy,
heedless of tho threat. "You've cnused
troublo enough. Send the new agent,
You enn tell him thut I admit you seem
to have been justified."
Vundervyn's menncing nttituuo re-
lnxed. Ho hnlf lowered his revolver,
but kept, n wary watch on Hardy as
ho backed away around the corner
of the cnbln, nnd run to Jump on his
pony und gnllop nwny. Hnrdy hud
sprung up. But It wus only to hasten
Into the house for water. Ho camo out
with n half-filled bucket, drew Olnna
over on her bnck, and dashed water
into her face. Sho opened her eyes,
saw him, nnd, reddening with shnmo,
turned her face aside. It hnppened
to bo towurd her brother. Suddenly
sho drew herself up on her elbow to
bend over tho gray face.
"He Is not dead I" sho gusped.
Bedbear's Hps were moving. Hardy
kneft to lift him up to n half-sitting
position. Ho knew by grim experience
that with such a wound thero wns no
hope, but ho also know thut It would
enso tho ngony to raise, the Injured
mun. Olnnn dampened her brother's
forehead. Ho muttered a curse.
"Not that, boy," warned Hardy. "You
have only a few minutes."
Bedbear seemingly did not hear him
Ho repented tho curso: "The 1 I'd
a' got him wny I got Nogen If you
hadn't unloaded my gun."
"You shot Nogen?" queried Hardy.
"Sneak out! You say you shot No
gen?"
Ho wanted her Murlo sumo
way ns Van sumo way as Van said
you wnnted her. We I tried to get
you twlct becnuso he, Vun, told me
you wnnted Marie that way. Tho
liar the Ah-r-rhl"
From between tho Hps that had
parted to utter tlio curso thero gushed
u scarlet strenm.
Hardy luld tho body on tho ground
nnd drew the distracted girl away by
main force.
"Corao Into tho house," ho ordered.
"You must not look nt him."
Sho offered only pnsslve resistance,
When ho had put her in a chnlr, sho
sat motionless, us If dozed, hw lry
eyes fixed on vacancy.
This won't do." ho nald. "You
must go to your grandfather. I can
not take you with me, und besides"
Ho checked himself, caught up a
blunket and went outdoors. When
nresentlv ho returned, sho had not
moved. Ho fastened hor sennt ward
robo and few trinkets In n blunket roll,
und led her out uround tho house,
curefully keeping himself between her
nnd tho blanket-covered form on tlio
ground near the door. Ho had brought
her own and her brother's ponies to
tho back of tho house, no lashed tlio
bundle on the dead man's saddle,
lifted tho girl upon her pony, nnd
mounted his mure.
Half-way to the agency tlioy met TI
owa-konza coming down with several
members of his family to visit his hnlf
breed grandchildren. Urged by Hnrdy,
tho girl broko her distraught sllcnco to
tell tho old chief what Und happened.
CHAPTER XX.
The Registration.
At noon tho following day the com
missioners came out to tho buttc, and
announced the conditions of the land
opening. All entrymcn were to start
from tho coulee nt n given signal, to
be made at ten o'clock In the morning
of the second day following. Any per
son who stnrted before the signal
would be disqualified.
A tent was set up for tho commis
sioners In the coulee bottom, on tho
reservation side of the dwindled
stream, nnd tho chnlrman nnd secre
tary proceeded to tuke the slgnutures,
thumb prints und descriptions of the
wnltlng colony of prospectors nnd cow
boys.
Since Hnrdy and Mario had first
come upon tho camp, tho number of
men had twice doubled. Yet, owing
to the obscure manner in which the
proposed opening had been ndvertlsed,
there were absurdly few of them, all
told, compared to the multitudes at
other governmental lnnd openings. Per
haps with a view toward covering this
discrepancy, the commissioners had or
dered full descriptions of every con
testant, nnd so managed to cover many
sheets of paper and to consume much
time.
The recording wns well under way
when Vnndervyn und Dupont cume
down to the camp. Neither made any
attempt to push Into the lino of entry
men. But Dupont rcud tho posted no
tice of the conditions of tho contest,
frowned, and remarked to Vandervyn
that he wished to show him something
over at the buttc. The young man
looked bored, yet borrowed a pony, nnd
rode ncross with him to the descrtec
camp.
"What Is It?" he asked. "Have yot
found u mnre's nest thut Is hatching
out a horse good enough to outrur
triplets?"
Dupont shook his head. "Don't yot
let nobody hear that Joke around hero,
Mr. Vnn. Them there prospectors nnd
punchers all lug guns, and they aJn'i
the kind to stand for no funny bust'
ncss."
They'll have to stand for it
they don't understand It" punned
Vnndervyn. "In this gnme three of t
kind bent all the jacks In the pack."
"You best keep your head shut, jusl
the same. Them punchers '11 ride the
hnrdest, nnd they're mighty Bhnrp t
see tho dlff'rence between horses."
"I told you I shall rush them off
their feet. They'll think me a fool,
nnd drop behind, to overhaul me later,
Now, If that's nil you have to teff
mc "
He wheeled his borrowed pony tc
rldo back.
"Hold on 1" replied Dupont frowning
uneasily. "I want to talk over fixing
up nbout the wny we shnre the mine.'
Vnndervyn lifted his eyebrows
"Aren't you satisfied? Now that Red-
bear Is out of the way, thero will b
none to question our sharing of th?
mino between us."
"It's between us, nil right" sullenlj
replied Dupont. "Tnln't in writing
though. According to them conditions,
If I don't register today, I don't cl
Rcdbear Pitched Backwards.
no 'ight to enter no claim. What's to
keep you from turning round nnd tell
ing me to whlstlo for my half, soon's
you git title to tho mine?"
"Why, Jake!" exclaimed Vandervyn
In Un aggrieved tone. "How can you
think I could throw you down that
way? Even If we weren't friends, you
know I want Mnrle."
Dupont's eyes nnrrowed, and his Jaw
set obstinately. "That's all right; bnt
them that want to remain frlenda
want to remember that business la
business."
Vandervyn frowned, considered the
matter n few moments, smiled, and
drew a folded paper from on Inner
pocket.
"Very well. I expected to wait until
I renched tho mine. But since you In
sist, hero It Is my deed to you of a
full half-Interest You'vo been hint
ing nnd looking so confounded uneasy
ever since the accident to Bedbear,
that I thought I'd bo ready for rou."
(TO ,BB CONTINUED.!