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About The Red Cloud chief. (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 25, 1917)
RED CLOUD, NEBRASKA. CHIEF u nnnnnnnnDnnnnnnnnnnDnnn The Quarterbreed nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn H An Indian Reservation Tale by ROBERT AMES BENNET unnnnnnnnnnnni: "Every tlttln thing counts on promo- n Just iirlco for their mineral lands. I "Uum!" grunted Duponr. FOLLOWING the killing of A Kent Nokoii and tlireuts of nil outbreak nmotiK the Indians, dipt. Floyd Hardy, U. K. A., goes to Lnkotah reservation iim nctliiR iiKeiit to quell the trouble. He Ih wounded from nmbush, and fallH In love with Marie Dupont, who nurses him. She neither accepts nor refuses his propo.sul of marriage, l)ecause hIiu and Vandervyn are Intimates. Hardy learns the Indians are disaf fected because Marie's father, Jacques Dupont, n wily post trader, and Reginald Vandervyn, agency clerk and nepliew of Senator Clein mer, have cheated them In an Illegal tribal mine deal, and purposes 'to right the wrong. lie makes friends with the tribesmen and calls n council at the mine. What occurs (here how desperate conspirators) work against the captain Is told In this Installment. CHAPTER XIV Continued. Hardy was greeted with a murmur of welcome and admiration, and the crowd made a path through their midst t the Inner ring of the chiefs. Followed by Iledbear, Vandervyn and OInna, ho walked along thu pnssago between tho living walls of silent, furtive-eyed Indians, and seated him self on the blanket that laid been spread for him beside old Tl-owu-konza. Shortly before the start down Into the valley Vandervyn bad again borrowed Ids superior's writing pad nnd fountain pen. He now sat down nt Hardy's shoulder, with the pad and pen reudy. After a ceremonious silence the licud chief's crier announced tho pur pose, of tho council. This was fol lowed by declamations from three or ators, whose main purpo.se seemed to bo to give an exhibition of their util ity In painting word pictures. When they had finished, Tl-owa-konzu arose, und warmed tho hearts of Ids people with an Impassioned eulogy of their new friend, tho chief of tho Long knives, who had come to bo a father to tho tribe. Hardy then explnlr.ed the good tlir.t had resulted on other reservations from the taking of land In severalty, und advised that the council name a delegation of chiefs to go at once to Wellington nnd ask for the conllr mutton of tho new treaty. Move than once during Ilodbcur's interpretation of the uctlng agent's statements OInna betrayed surprise. Tl-owu-konzu no ticed this sooner than Hardy. He epoko to his granddaughter. The girl cast a timid look at Vandervyn and hesitated. Her brother smiled cunningly and said: "It's all right. Tell him." "What's that?" queried Hardy. "Nothing nothing, sir," quavered tho girt. "Only, Charlie ho added something to wliat you said." "I put In that you und Mr. Van would try to get them big pay for tho mineral lauds," boldly explained Redhenr. "Surely you've no objection to that, captain," remarked Vandervyn. "Was that ull?" Hardy usked tho girl. "Yes, sir. Uo only" "Very well. I have no objection to tho stutement. Hut I now must de cidedly insist upon an exact Inter pretation of what I say. Miss HeJ boar, you will tell me ut once If your brother either falls to interpret what I tell him or makes any additions " "Ye-s, Blr, If" faltered OInna. Her covert glance of appeal met with n reassuring smile from Vandervyn. She ventured to look up at Hardy, and her voice became steadier: "Yes, sir, of course. Only Charllo was Just trying to help, nnd ho won't do it ngaln." Hardy resumed his explanations and advice. When he hud finished, several more orators had to exhibit their elo quence. Tho council then proceeded to nccept the nctlng agent's advice and nnmo u delegation. As Tl-owa-konza Insisted ttiat lie was too old to ven ture so long 11 Journey among tin white men, llvo of tho younger sub chiefs nnd headmen were chosen to represent the tribe. During tho closing ceremonies of the council Vandervyn leaned forward bcsldo Hardy, und showed him an ab breviated but accurate memorandum of tho proceedings. "It's as well to have tlieso tilings In black nnd white," ho suggested. "Wo could get the chiefs to sign this beforo tho council breaks up." "Very good. A record may be valu able for future reference," agreed Hardy. Ho rapidly read tho writing, Inter polated 11 few words, added n line, nnd gnvo It to Rcdbcur to Interpret. When tho council acknowledged tho accuracy of tho memorandum, Hardy signed it, and asked the chiefs to add their marks, with Redbear and OInna acting as witnesses. At this Vander vyn volunteered to servo as penman, nnd olllclously ordered Redhenr to bring the chiefs over to n nearby bowlder, where they could inoro con veniently iniiko their marks on the paper. Hardy olTered no objection to this. Tho council had llnlshed Its work, and there was nothing suspicious about Vundorvyn's Migi".tlnn that the bowlder would alTord an easy place for the chiefs to sign. Ho rose and returned to his mare, while tho crowd Hocked oil' to the bowlder after their chief, lie did not see Vandervyn lay out 'w untu'ih on the top of thu rock, nor did lie hear tho smooth ex planation that tho agent wanted the chiefs to sign two copies of tho memo randum. This statement was unhesi tatingly Interpreted by Redbear, and the chiefs, who knew by experience that most agency papers were signed in duplicate, made their crosses and thumb-prints as fast as Vandervyn wrote their names on tho two papers. OInna ventured to whisper to her brother that the papers did not look alike. He hastily repeated the remark 'to Vandervyn. The girl cringed close to her grandfather. But Vandervyn showed no anger. Ho smiled nt her In u manner that brought a blissful glow into her soft eyes, and explained that one paper gave tho proceedings of the council In full, while tho other consisted of brief notes. Ho then mur mured to tier something that ut ilrst brought a shadow Into tier Joyous face, but la tho end left her radiant with happiness. When tho lending men of tho tribe had signed tho papers and Redbear and Olniiu laid nttested as witnesses, Vundervyn thrust the documents Into ids pocket and went to rejoin Hardy. As he handed over the paper that Hardy had signed, ho remarked that, If there was no objection, Redbear and his sister would remain in tho mountains with their grandfather un til word should bo received from the government for the tribal delegation to cotno on to Washington. "You nro ready to return to tho agency with me?" nsked Hardy. "Wo can start nt once, If you wish," assented Vandervyn. "Very well," said Hardy. "The girl shall remain here, und you will come with me." Vandervyn shrugged, smiled good humorcdly, und vuultcd into his sad dle. Still doubtful of Ills companion, Hardy took thu ponies of Redbear and OInna In lead, and rode over to where tho brother and sister stood in tho midst of their grandfather's immedi ate family. When tho girl continued Vandcrvyu's statement that she wished to remain In the mountains, ho took ceremonious leave of tho noble old chief, nnd rodo olT to rejoin Ids party. During tho brief Interval Vnnder vyn's gay humor had disappeared. He met Hardy with u frown, nnd held out one of the letters that ho had written that morning. Seeing that It was ad dressed to himself, Hardy tore open tho envelope und read tho brief uoto can show curds nnd spades to tho an gels I I'm out for the good tilings of life, nnd I make no bones over It. Hut that doesn't prevent mo from being a blooming benefactor as well. If you wish to know tho, real reason why I'm resigning, It's because I have planned to go on to Washington with tho dele gation, nnd pull wires to get tho tribe a big slice of graft for their mineral lands." Hardy saw tho frank sincerity in Ids companion's eyes, nnd responded to the assertion with tin Instant apology: "Mr. Vandervyn, I beg your pardon for misjudging you. At times your conduct bus been ill-advised, but I uo longer doubt your good Intentions." "It takes an olllcer und gentleman to eat crow as If It wero qualll" rallied Vandervyn with seemingly genial sar casm. "Do I understand that my res ignation Is accepted?" "If you Insist." "I do. Now that is settled. We make the return trip us equals," said Vandervyn, nnd, us If freed from all rancor by the thought, ho fell Into n mood of suave gayety. tlon ITke merit marks at school." "You seel" ngreed Ilnrdy. "I cun't pretend to altruism. I am ambitious to stand well In my profession. If I mnke u good showing when given n detnll, I put merit marks on my rec ord, as Mr. Vundervyn has so aptly expressed It." Marie's challenging gaze softened, and she looked thoughtfully down ut her white bunds. "Isn't oven self-sacrifice a form of selllshness?" she murmured. The uppenrance of the Indlnu boy In the dining room doorway checked Hardy's reply. During supper the girl remulned unusually thoughtful nnd silent. Hur dy discussed with Dupont plans for the Instruction of the tribe In agricul ture. Tho idea had occurred to him that the government might permit him to build un irrigation system for the farming lands of tho tribe, using In dian laborers, and paying for the work out of money appropriated for tho sale of the mineral lands. When Vandervyn chose to listen, it was with a half-amused smile that did not always cover the underlying cynical Irony. Most of the time he devoted himself to nn attempt to rally Marie out of her thoughtfulness. Instead of responding, she became more pen- Don't look so shocked. Miss Canada.1 "Mine and ull I" rcpr'.o Yaiidor It' flin ri.trtilup wnv hiipIi thlnes are vvn. "I've told VOU WflT. I'll fix It bundled In all representative govern ments ours, the Canadian and Eng lish parliaments, thu Gorman, the French all the same." The girl's eyes clouded. "I do not like to hear you speak in that cynical tone." "Oil, It's not because I don't be lieve in democratic government. In so we'll get the mine and maybe some thing else and I'll llx Hardy!" "Didn't know you wns still so down on him. Wnsn't It nil smoothed overt You been uctlng that way." "Walt nnd see me rub his fur tho other wny! I'll put over n game on him that " Vandervyn checked tho disclosure, nnd began asking ques- despotic countries tho regular proce-1 tng ft)0Ut the traits of the llvo dure would bo for tho olllciuls to take ci,ief3 chosen as tribal delegates, the bulk of tho appropriation, nnd Imlf ,m hour nftpr minrHQ Dupont glvo tho tribe tho percentage or cnmo jBRnB j,ck home, Ids heavy "'V'K- face set In u satisfied grin. The com- "i ennnoe ueneve tunc even your , , nf .. innit ioaIind when ho CHAPTER XV. A Lover's Promise. When, midaf ternoon of tho next day, the two white men and the pair of In dian police emerged from tho canyon of Sioux creek Into the ngency valley, Vandervyn was still us gay nnd good humored us nt the stnrt of tho Jour ney. He even volunteered to Inter vene for Hardy with Marie. "It Is very kind of you to make the offer," replied Hardy In rather a stiff tone. "If Dupont Is ut home, muy I ask you to send him to the olllce?" "Certnlniy," replied Vundervyn, nnd nil tho wny down to the ugeney lie chatted genlnlly. When they curao to the level behind the warehouse, ho waved his hand In friendly parting. "S'long. See you later. He sure to chop off your whiskers In time for supper. You'll need to look your best." Dupont soon clumped into tho agency ofllce, fairly oozing with Jovial friendliness. "Howdy! Howdy, Cup I" he greet ed. "Muiie, she says she'll look to seo you nt supper. Mr. Van says you wanted to seo me. Anything I can do, Cap, just call on me. I'm reudy to call quits now, If you are." nardy accepted the proffered hand, nnd exchanged u cordial grip. "Tills pleases mo very much, Du pont," he responded. "We will all now wcrk together for the tribe. I glvo you my best wishes that you may win the mine." "Wo got a fair show to, seeing as how you ain't going to let on about It In your report. Now, Just tell mo whnt I can do for you." "Merely n few words us Interpre ter," said Hardy. "I wish one of tho police at once to rldo over to tho railroad with these telegrams und let ters. The sooner I receive Instruc tions to send tho delegation to Wush- "No, We Must Walt Until You Are Freed From Your Cousin." .. V. , ,, . . Ington, the better." "So," ho said, fixing the younger ..rri,. n innn with n level glance, "your res ignation to take effect at once. It is dated yesterday." "It would have been dated and pre sented n week ugo If I'd had tho slightest idea you were going to Insult I tCZ! Ill i YKl-f'. X1-' ..-IT. II.. 11 ' j "I'vo Had Enough of Your Bullying." mo as you did yesterday," Vandervyn burst out angrily. "You'd huvo had It on the spot If I could have brought my self to borrow your pen and paper." "I see," said Hardy. lie rellected n moment, and remarked: "There seems to be no reason why I should not nc cept your resignation, If you Insist upon my nctlng on It." "I do," said Vandervyn. "I've hnd enough of your bullying. I'm ti free man now not your clerk." "You will change your tone, sir, If vou wish to rldo in my company," said Hardy, with u cool self-control that checked tho other's anger. "Clad I If only you weren't such n self-righteous prig!" exclaimed tho younger man. "You'ro so suro you That's no He. Mr. Vun says tho money can't be appropriated till con gress meets, but the trenty Is llxed up so's the amount can be settled on nnd tho reservation ordered divided up by tho treaty commission." "Ah!" exclaimed Hardy. "We may get the agricultural lands ullotted In time for the planting of winter wheat. Come; wo will send off these tele grams and letters." Since tho return of the party from the mountains, not one of thu police but was more than willing to servo the new ivy Two of the younger men were so cantering away down the valley on ;elr best ponies, proud of the fact that they hnd been chosen to make thu night ride to the railroad. Hardy returned to the office with Dupont, and became deeply iiLsorbcd In discussing ways and means fcr tho development of tho Indians as farm ers. When Dupcnt noted the hour, thero seemed scarcely time for even one of the captain's qulck-chnr.go toi lets. Yet ho appeared ut the door of thu Dupont house, spick Und span und his board clean shaven, without hav ing required ills hostess to wait sup per half u minute. As ho entered In rcsponso to Du pont's hospitable bellow, thero wns u perceptible hesitancy In his manner. Mario was seated at tho far cad of tho room near Vandervyn. She rose, nnd came forward to' greet Hardy, her chin proudly uptilted. "Thero seems to havo been n gen eral misunderstanding of motives, captain," she remarked with frank di rectness. "I still consider that you wero unduly hursh, but I now under stand that you meant well und per haps had some excuse. Regglo says that we tiro all to work together for tho good of tho tribe." "It pleases mo very much to hear you say it." "What Interest havo you In helping them?" she queried, evidently reluc tant to believe his motives unselfish. "It means n good mark on his of ficial record," bantered Vundervyn, slve. Hnray attributed the girl's half somber quietness to his presence. As they left the supper table, he usked Dupont to come to the ofllce. Mario und Vundervyn followed them ns far ns the pnrlor, where tho young innn dropped into tho easiest chair, with n disgusted, "Lord ! ho makes me wenry all that benevolent blatter!" "Of course ho Is doing It merely to help himself In his cureer," mur mured Murle. "Or to get the handling of tho tri bal funds," suggested Vandervyn. "There'll be a fat slice of graft for somebody out of all those millions." "You really think that?" "Whnt else can you expect govern ment on one side and Poor Lo on the other? It's the usual thing. I ex pect to get my share." "You?" exclulmed tho girl, her eyes widening with a look of astonishment nnd reproach. Vandervyn laughed amusedly. "Wult u bit before you dig up your tomahawk, Miss Sitting Hull. If I succeed In getting the tribe fifteen or twenty millions, Instead of tho live that was talked about, It strikes me they could nfTord to allow yours truly a nlco llttlo percentage us commis sion." "Oil, Reggie, pardon me ! Of course you should havo good pay for proving yourself such a friend to tho tribe." "And to each member of the tribe !" he udded, his blue eyes glowing gold en with ardor. "I don't want ull my pay in money, now ubout an advance royalty in something else?" He had risen, und was coming toward her. She blushed and retreat ed around tho tea table. "No, no," she remonstrated. "I told you wo must wnlt until until you ure freed from your cousin." "Wult?" lie rejoined. "You're try ing to piny me ngulnst thnt tinfoil hero. Do you think I'm going to stand for that? I'll have to go on nt once, und fix things so that the delegation will not havo to hang round tho capl tol nil winter." "You will havo to leavo beforo the delegation?" Tho girl was almost dls mnyed at tho unexpectedness of the announcement. "I'll havo to go at once," repented Vnndervyn, frowning. "I thought of course he would havo told mo before sending his messages. I could have so worded them for him that the game would havo started oft without a hitch. As it Is, he has messed things up in u way that will reqtilro tne presence of n good lobbyist to pull off the game in any kind of shnpo to suit us." "I do not llko tho way you speak of It a game, lobbying," murmured Marie. Vandervyn smiled condescendingly. "My dear girl, a crooked deal can twist through tho devious ways of congress and the departments without trouble. An honest, straightforward matter, such us tills treaty, needs strong pulling to get as far ns tho president's signature." "Hut you will uso only honest meth ods In your lobbying?" "Whnt else?" queried Vnndervyn, his eyes wide and guileless. "I wish to earn my commission all freo nnd nbove-bonrd. You need not be sur prised, however, If u big sllco of graft Is deducted from tho amount appropri ated to pay tho tribe." "How dishonest I" "It's tho only way to get the trlbo government will permit Its officials to roll either tho tribe or the people of the country," declared Marie. "Thero cannot lie a mujorlty of dishonest con gressmen." "No; tho big mnjorlty nro honest fools. They nro managed by means of committees nnd tho p!en of pnrty loy alty and log-rolling. Hut that's not my fault, sweetheart. You know I " "I know you've yet to receive per mission to cull me thnt I" broko In tho Bin. Vnndervyn bit his lip. "You forget I mn going nway." "Hack to Washington nnd your fiancee I" "Quito true. And I'm going to stny, unless thero Is some Inducement for rno to return here," he rejoined. It was Marie's turn to bite her lip. "How can you say that, when you know that 1 that I" "I told you how it was, nnd why I cannot break off with her until" He stepped nearer, his eyes tiglow with passionate allurement. "You know I love you, only you, Marie! And you Iovo me, sweetheart !" Under the enticement of his soft eyes und pleading voice, nil her re servo melted. Instead of eluding Ids advance, she swayed forward, and per mitted him to take her in his arms. He crushed her to him, nnd showered kisses on her lips nnd blushing cheeks upon her dusky lialr when, over come, she pressed her face ngulnst his shoulder. He quivered with the Joy of mns tery und possession. "You ure mini mine! Say itl" "I I will murry you!" she whis pered. Submissive nnd loving ns was the reply, It struck the urdent smile from Vundorvyn's fuce. His embrace re laxed, and for a moment ho stood staring over the girl's head, his lip between his teeth. "I love you!" sho murmured, quick to sense tho change that had come upon him. At tho candid confession his eyes again glowed, and ngnin ho crushed her to him. "You love me! You own It!" he cried. "You ure mine!" "No !" With a sudden, violent thrust for which he wus nil unprepared, she burst from his clasp and sprang clear of hi in. "What Is it?" he muttered, staring nt iter, half bewildered. "Oh!" sho cried. "It was the way you Oli! how could you?" She put up her hands, like u child, to hide thu scarlet that flamed in her cheeks. "Go, pleuse go! You have made me tell And I have premised to marry you when you come back." "If I do como bnck," qualified Vnn dervyn In a Hash of chagrin. Mario drew herself up to her full height, tho color ebbing from her fuce. Her voice wns ns cold ns her eyes. "Do you wish to free me from my promise?" "Never!" he burst out. "You'd glvo yourself to Hardy. Ho shan't have you. You've promised you said It." "Not now not yet not until you como back to me, free from your cousin. Leavo me, I asked you to go." When he perceived the look In her eyes, ho picked up his hut und left tho house without attempting to argue. She closed the door, nnd hastened Into her .dainty little bedroom, to sink on he'r knees beforo the crucifix at tho foot of her bed. entered, and saw the Indian boy re moving the evidences of someone's solitary men!. Ho knocked nt his daughter's door. After quite a delay she culled to him thnt he might enter, lie found her seated at tho foot of tho bed, with u llttlo leather-hound book In her hip. Though her eyelids wero swollen, she met him with her usual look of quiet self-possession. "You let Cap cat ulone," he re marked. "Don't cull that being hos plt'le, do you?" "If ho hnd been more considerate, Reggie could have remained until tho delegation leaves," coldly replied tho girl. "Well, wo got to keep In with him till Mr. Van gits things fixed. You see, If lie gits mud nnd reports on us to WasliliiKton, we'll git kicked off tho reservation and bnrred from any chance of tho mine." "Did Regglo sny that?" "Yep. It's why, lie says, he leaves it to you to keep quiet nbout tho en gagement. If you let on about it to Hardy, lie's likely to git jealous and put Senator Cleininer next. That would queer tho whole deul nt this stage of the game." "I do not believe that Captain nardy would do such u tiling," declurcd tho girl. "All right. Mr. Van leaves It to you to tell him, If you want to. I ain't saying Cap mayn't be n straight laced In everything else. But when It comes to being dead gone on n girl like you, und at his- uge, too needn't tell me lie won't do his level, best to put Mr. Vnn out of Uo running any way lie can." The girl sprang up, her eyes afire with u flare of unreasoning linger. "Ho shall not!" she crld. "Reggie Is coming back!" "He won't have no chance to If It leaks out ubout you und hlux going to git married." "Married!" The angry scarlet of thu gill's oheeks deepened to n rose. Notes of Indignation and joy mingled oddly in her half-murmured predic tion: "He will como back! That nied dler shall not prevent !" "You won't go and git Cap down on us, will you?" remonstrated Dupont "Wult und see." she replied. When, nt the usual supper hour, Hardy presented himself nt the Du pout door, his bearing wus reserved at.d somewhat dlflldent. Dupont, who was alone In tho parlor, genlnlly bade him enter. Hut Hardy lingered In thf doorway until Marie appeared. 'Tnrdnn me, Miss Dupont," he sold, ns ho met her look of surprise. "1 came to say that If you do not con sider It wortli while to board me, J can mafic shift for myself." "Indeed, but you shall not!" ex claimed the girl with n grnciousnesa that brought a glow Into his grava face. "What should wo do without your company at table?" "You are very kind to say It." Sho smiled. "Where have you been keeping yourself nil day?" "I rode up Wolf river to tho fnll. A canal to Irrigate a largo nreu could 'o led down from there, und later on CHAPTER XVI. The Fighting Chance. Vnndervyn wus up beforo dawn. Hut Marie wus up an hour earlier, and sent her father over to make suro that her lover camo for tho breakfast she had prepared for him. Wlillo he ate, sho stocked his saddlebag for tho trip, und gave tho pinto u good feed of oats. Ho tried to seo her nlone, and failed. Sho was too clever for him. But when ho went out to mount, sho permitted him n single parting kiss In tho presenco of her father. Dupont hnd saddled one of his own ponies to "rldo out" with the trav eler. As they Jogged down tho road In the dim starlight, ho bit off u "chaw" of! plug tobacco, squinted at the vaguo form of his companion, und chuckled. "What's tho Joke?" Irritably queried Vnndervyn. " 'Taln't no joke, Mr. Van. Just tho same, It tickles mo to know you and Marie has agreed to hitch up." "Who said anything nbout an agree ment?" snapped thu young, man. "Now, now, keep on your shirt!" soothed Dupont. "Mario wouldn't never havo let you kiss her If she didn't Intend to take you." Vandervyn suddenly changed his tone: "I'm glad to hear you say It, Jake. You see, sho does not alto gether llko tho Idea of keeping quiet about our engagement our betrothal, you would say in Canada. But if Hardy should hcor of It, ho probably would notify my uncle. Then goodby nilno and alL" w " n I The Girl Sprang Up, Her Eyeo Aflro With Unreasoning Anger. I hellevo a dnm could bo constructed nbovo tho fulls nt n comparatively smull cost. It would convert tho val ley nbovo Into a largo storago reser voir, to hold tho winter floods." "You must show me your plans at tho fulls themselves!" declared Mario with an enthusiasm more gratifying to him than would have been a perv sonal compliment. y , They went In to supper, earnestly discussing Ids 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? VTO ua CONTlflUlSUjt I S fin r v ym-mp Twirm' t A PS. wk -v-j Rjessa.ii