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About The Red Cloud chief. (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 1917)
RED CLOUD, NEBRASKA, CHIEF KZ BWMBI,MBtW BM i MHmH MM mfcBHM M4HMMM4MMI ED i erbreed A Modem Indian Reservatiomi Story by Rofeeirt Ames Bennelfc Mart m uv II J V M j i i: n TbeO 3B w M Itf'i r i 11 I'F W ft it, 1 H v in M J1 ' N IF iBMBISBMBWiMMMBBWBBBBMBBii"""" you discovered t lut t an nlile iimii of unscrupulous character mid political power enough to wreck your career was trying to do liann to the girl you loved ly stealing her affections and turning them to evil pur poses, would you shoot him before he .spoiled the girl or wait until he did It and then kill him? Con sider Cimtiiln Iiiml.v's nrcdlcaiucnt. as described lit this Installment. The army olllcer, you will recall, went to Lakotah reservation as acting agent following the murder of Agent Nogen and u threatened uprising of the Indians. Wounded by an ambush shot, ho falls In love with Marie Dupont, n quartcrbreed, who nurses him, but gives no definite answer to his proposal of marriage because she Is enamored of Reg inald Vandervyn, agency clerk and scapegrace nephew of Senator Clcmmcr. Hardy learns the Indians are disaffected because old Jacques Dupont, a wily post trader, and Vandervyn have cheated them In an Illegal trlbnl mine deal. At first the red men, deceived by Vandervyn, misunderstand the olllcer'.s motives, but finally accept him as ihelr friend, and a commission, led by Vandcrwyn, prepares to go to Washington to secure a division of tribal lands and the sale of mines owned by Indians. Vandervyn plans to get prollt for himself. CHAPTER XVI Continued. 9 So began the second period of Har dy's close companionship with the girl, and the Intimacy appeared as sincere nnd friendly as the llrst one, when Van dervyn was In the mountains with Redbear. Almost every day they rode out to examine the Wolf river water shod, and estlmato as best they could without surveying Instruments the number of acres that could be put un der ditch. Hardy had at once written for re ports on similar undertakings. lie fore receiving them he was agreeably surprised by an olllclal telegram from Washington Instructing him to at once send on the tribal delegation, In the charge of Redbear. So swift an un reeling of government red tape proved that powerful Intluences were favor ing the consummation of the new treaty. Hardy ungrudgingly gave Vandervyn the credit of being u very successful benevolent lobbyist. A runner was dispatched to bring In Itedbear and the delegates. They came without delay. Itedbear's urni was so nearly nealed that he had full uso of It. Olnna did not accompany htm. He said their grandfather had become so fond of her that he had Insisted upon her remaining In the mountains until the return of the del egation from Washington. Marie of fered to send for her and give her n home while her brother was away, but Redbear hastily declared that the girl wished to stay with the old chief. Hardy took charge of the delegation as far as the railroad, and Marie and Dupont went along to keep him com pany. He provided for the comfort aboard train of Itedbear and the five solemn chiefs, and shipped them off with through tickets to Washington and a careful set of Instructions to help them la the conduct of their mis sion. "My only wish Is thnt I might go with them," he remarked, as the "Iron horse" whirled them uway towurd the land of the sunrise. "They will be like Rubes in the Woods." "You sure have done your level best for them, Cap," replied Dupont. "You ain't got no license to worry nohow. Mr. Van is there to boost 'em along." "Resides, you hnve your work here," added Mario with a glance that com pletely diverted his thoughts. They spent the night In the rough shuck misnamed n hotel, and at dawn Btarted on their return to the agency. As Dupont's pony was continually lag ging behind, Hardy had the pleasure of Marie's company virtually alone for the greater part of the ride. She seemed to enjoy this quite as much as he, and remained In gracious good humor even through the blazing heat of midday. Nor did she allow herself f to feci fatigue until, after their arrival at the agency, she had cooked a sa vory supper, and then entertained Hardy for an hour or more In her ar tistic little parlor. The next day, fresh as ever, Marie was ready to ride up to the falls and help him run a line ot levels with the Instruments thnt he hud hired In town. Never had he known anyone so abounding In life. Mentally as well as physically, she seemed ever tireless, buoyant, animated. Day after day they worked and planned for the good of the tribe; day after day her graclousness toward him Increased. And day after day his lovo for her deepened and strength ened until It could bo seen In his every look nnd act, and heard In every In flection of his voice when he spoke to her. Though her manner toward him showed no trnco of overt coquetry, jiho made no effort to repulso his silent devotion or to check the growth of his pusslon. A week after tho departure of the delegation found him fully looking the part of a gallant lover ardent, youth ful, almost hundsome. Ho had lost much of his former look of pensive severity. Even tho silvery hairs over his temples seemed to be regulnlng their original ruddy brown. A few days later one of tho lines of lovels happened to bring him and tho girl to the edgo of the coulee, across from tho butte. lie suggested that they go down and across to tho spring rill for a drink. As they turned back, Mario recog nized tho 03.net spot where ho had boon shot. Womanlike, sho shud dered and turned palo at tho recol lection, though at tho tlmo of tho oc currence sho had been so brave. "LooUft" she said in a half-whisper. "Hero Is whero you fell. -1 thought you were killed 1" !'- exuerlcnon wus well worth while," he replied. His voice shook with tho Irresistible passion of his love. "Dearest I let me call you that hole, this once! It was hero I first looked Into the depths of your heart, and learned how good and kind you are." Tho girl turned to hide her face from the reverent udoratlon of his gaze. "No, no," she murmured. "Don't, please I" "I must speak, dear," ho replied. "I ask nothing of you. It Is only thnt I wish to tell you how you mado mo realize again that life Is worth living. When I came from the Coast, I bad lost one dearer to me than anyone else In all tho world my mother. She was u little woman, very frail her blue eyes were dim and faded, her hair white; but even when slit was at tho very end her dear eyes sought to ease my grief with the same look you gave mo as you bent over me here and thought me fatally Injured." "Please I" begged the girl, choking back a sob. "I do not deserve Your mother I but I urn not kind nor good I" Hardy went on In the same voice of profound passion: "You lifted mo out of the shadow of tho Valley. You came to me In my blank darkness, n glorious light of divine goodness that compelled me to see that all was not wrong with the universe that even so great u loss as mine might bo for the best." "I am not what you think me I urn not I" she reiterated. "You restored my faith and hope," ho insisted. "It would bo selfish of mo to ask anything more of you now " "It would bo useless useless l" sho cried. IIo was too little versed In feminine nature to realize that her vehemence might Indicate an effort to suppress an Inner doubt of tho assertion. Had ho been a few years younger, youth ful impetuosity might have won him that which his reverent respect shrank from urging. He had taken her gloved band. He pressed it to his lips, and freed her. "I shall not annoy you, dear," ho said. "Yet I cannot take that as final. I shall wait until he returns. Then I shall take my fighting chance." "You will?" she whispered. "I shall not give up until you have pledged yourself to him. If I can, I will prevent that. He cannot pos sibly love you as I love you. If It Is possible to win you for my wife, I will do It." Marie quivered, and shrank from lilm as If startled. "You say, when "My Friend, Jake Dupont, Gentlemen." ho conies buck Rut until then you you will not" "Until then we shall continues to bo tho same good comrades that wo havo been." Tho girl drew in a deep breath. "Then let us go back to work." Hardy accepted tho suggestion with a self-control that was us remurkublo as it wus misplaced. CHAPTER XVII. The Only Woman. During tho pleiisunt, busy days that followed, to all appearances Mario en Joyed tho work und planning and tho long hours of companionship fully ns much as Hardy. Dupont, now over bluff and genial, kept closo to his store. Rut during tho long evening discussions his eyes often twinkled cunningly under their gray thatch. No word had been received from I Wpny; Op rmK 1 , Washington except two notes from vnmiervyn to mipont, reporting nivor able progress and Inclosing sealed let ters to Marie. Sho told nothing of what these contained, even to her fu ther. Hardy's first and last message In regard to tho new treaty was an ofll clal notification that it had been duly approved and signed, after fifteen mil lion dollars hnd been decided upon as the compensation to tho tribe for tho mineral lands. Special commissioners had been named to proceed to the res ervation nnd arrange for the Imnicdl- ate ononliiL' of tho mineral lands' to en' try, and the allotment of the remaining , lands to tho members of the tribe. Hardy was surnriscd when ho saw , that the time set for the departure of the commissioners had already passed. Tho document had been misdirected, had been returned to Washington, and then seemingly hnd been pigeonholed for several days by some careless clerk before being remallcd to him. If ho had not established n moro fre quent mall service, In plucc of tho cus tomary weekly trip to town by ono of the police, the commissioners might hnve arrived before he received tho notice. Ho was still more surprised when, tho following day, ho and Mario rodo down Sioux creek to where It flowed into Wolf river. The moment tho view down tho coulee opened beforo them, they perceived several tents pitched In the bottom, at tho foot of tho butte. They found twenty or twenty- five rough-looking men encamped along tho spring rill in light dog-tents. A few were cowboys, but the greater number hud the appearance and outfits of prospecting miners. They stared at Mario with tho respectful admiration of typical Westerners for an "honest" woman, nnd readily answered nardy's civil questions. Notice of tho prospective opening of the mineral lands of tho reservation had been published In n few very ob scure weekly papers. One of the men gave Hardy n blurred sheet of a little country Journal, nnd pointed out the government notice. It wns printed In tho midst of several uninteresting legul notices. The old fellow winked know ingly, nnd remarked that, us long ns he was In on the game, ho didn't care how quiet It was played. "What could that man havo mennt about being In on n quiet game?" Ma rio asked Hardy, as they rode down the coulee to tnke the road back to the agency. "I bellevo I understand, nnd I do not altogether like it," replied Hardy. "The follow probably Is right In think ing that undue Influence Is being ex erted to give us Httlo publicity us pos sible to the opening of tho mineral lands to entry." "Do you really think so? Of course It Is not right Yet where is tho harm? These men have been enter prising enough to seize the opportu nity, and they deserve tho chunces of good fortune." "Tho transaction hns rather too much tho appearance of u prearranged scheme," replied Hardy. Ills thought ful face darkened with tho shadow of anxiety. "If I could bo sure that It would bring only good fortune to you I" The profound tenderness nnd con cern In his volco seemed to startle Marie. Sho leaned forward, nud put her pony Into n gallop. Tho day before, Immediately upon receipt of the olllclal statement from Washington, Ilnrdy had sent n messen ger to notify Tl-own-konzn. Two days later the head chief camo with all his large family, Including Olnna. Marie Insisted that the girl should come to stay with her until tho return of Red bear, and immediately fitted out tho girl with good dresses from her own wardrobe. When Ilnrdy spoko of her generosity, she smiled nud shrugged, "It Is llttlo enough to do for any one, captain. I was tired of those old gowns. Anyway, ns a quurtorbrced, I owe It to my own self-respect to keep a halfhfeed girl from going around like a full-blood womnn." "Her brother will bo greatly pleased." "I had no thought of htm. Ho Is rather a worthless fellow. It Is strange to mo how proud Olnna Is of him. Sho says nothing, but ono can seo that sho Is In a fever of joyous excitement over tho prospect of his return." Ilnrdy frowned, parted his lips to speak, nnd thought better of It "You wero going to say ?" ob served Mario. "Something that must bo left unsaid, If you will pardon mo," ho replied, and ho shifted the conversation to tho question of accommodations for the , one of the commissioners brusquely commissioners. proposed that Hardy be summoned to The arrival of the commissioners attend upon them. Vandervyn Inter early In the afternoon of the following posed with the suave suggestion that day would have taken the agency by the nctlng agent might leave In 'the surprise If Hardy had not posted a , safe some of the papers necessary to lookout on the signal mountain. The i a full understanding of the affairs of prearranged smoke-sign gave warning of the approach of the party while it was yet many miles away over the plains. Even at that, Hardy and Mario und Dupont were not quite ready to greet the visitors when they came Into 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 curs. Vandervyn was driving the foremost car. He brought It up the slope of tho agency terrace with a rush, nnd spun It around In a curve that ended before tho porch of the Dupont house. The second cur rolled straight on across the terruce to the tepee of Tl-own-konzu. Hardy, who was about to start across to the ofllce, paused in the porch to welcome the commissioners. Dupont hurried out of the rear door- wy of bis store. Marie, after n slight uow I acknowledgment of Vandcr- vyn's respectful salute, quietly drew back Into her parlor. In the front scut beside Vandervyn 7as a big, red-faced man, whoso bleared eyes Immediately began to scrutlnlzo Hardy, and ns quickly I turned away when they met his clear , gaze. The live men In the tonnenu ull had the look of u certain kind of poll-1 tlclun, 'and nil met Hardy's cordial i 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 buck Into the porch. Dupont received n more plcusnnt response to his bluff welcome. He Jerked open the door of tho tonneuu, nnd offered his hand to each of the commissioners in turn ns they stepped stlflly out Into the porch. "My friend Juke Dupont, gentle men," said Vandervyn. Every member of the pnrty at once smiled upon the trader, and shook hands with him. Most cordial of all was the big man who hud sat In the front seat. Marie now stepped out to greet tho visitors, and was formally Introduced by Vandervyn. With a gracious com posuro that would havo done credit to tho most exclusive of drawing rooms, she welcomed the visitors, and Invited them to luncheon. The most portly member of tho com mission promptly accepted the Invita tion on behalf of himself and his com panions, and the party followed their hostess Into her parlor. Vandervyn lingered a moment to favor Hardy with a smile of Ironical condolence. "Chesty lot, these lame ducks I" he said. "Rut they stand In with tho big fellows. They had tho cars shipped out from Chicago to nccommodato them. Rotter snuggle up on their warm side What, not going, surely? You must como In to lunch and show us how tactful a tactician can be." "Thanks, no," replied nnrdy. "I'll nsk you kindly to excuse me to Miss Dupont. The commissioners may Hud mo nt the ofllco at any time that suits them." Vandervyn shrugged nnd went In doors, his smllo a trlflo forced. He at once Joined his party In their enger acceptance of Dupont's most cordial expression of hospitality, his eight-yenr-old whisky. Marie had excused herself to the guests. Ry the time she reappeared every member of tho party wus nglow with good feeling. Tho girl nt onco beenmo the target for a shower of compliments, all In doubtful taste, and somo decidedly too freo nnd easy. Sho looked to Vandervyn, nnd met only with an unensy smile. Seeing that ho would say nothing, sho replied to tho offenders with n wit nnd dig nity that soon altered their bearing toward her. They were puzzled to Und a garden rose In this rough wilderness, but she soon brought them to the reali zation that they were not nt liberty to splash mud on her petals. The luncheon completed her conquest. Vandervyn enmo to tho table with nil tho uncnslness gone from his smile, no took his seat, nnd proceed ed to extol Marie's skill ns a chef. Olnna, bearing a trny, camo In, and began to servo luncheon. Though ex tremely shy, she started with a deft ness thnt showed careful training. Several moments pnsscd beforo Van dervyn looked up nnd perceived her. Tho surprlso wns too sharp even for his assurance. IIo stopped short In his talk, and stared at her, discon certed. At sight of his frown tho girl dropped her tray, now fortunately empty, and with n llttlo, gnsplng cry fled from tho room. Sho did not re appear. Mario passed off tho awk ward Incident with n smllo and n tact ful explanation of Olnnn's cxccsslvo shyness. Tho Indian boy finished tho serving. Vandervyn hnd delivered Hardy's messages. They hnd been received alike by Mario and by tho commission ers without comment After luncheon tho agency. At this tho party lingered only for n parting nip at Dupont's liquid hos pitality. Assuring Mario that they would return in tlmo for dinner, they left under tho escort of their host. With the excuse that ho had mislaid his hat, Vandervyn returned to the dining room. When he enmo out, he shut the door. Marie was alone In the parlor. All the suppressed fire of his passion flamed In his face, as ho turned and camo swiftly back to tho waiting girl. There could be no doubt that ho expected her to meet him half way. She stood beside n chnlr, somewhat pule, but outwardly very calm. She did not advance a single step. Yet, "You've Been Letting Marie Get Thick With Him." blinded by his own ardor, he camo on without heeding tho look In her face until within arm's-reach of her. Then ot lust he perceived her lack of re sponse, and stopped. "I say!" he exclaimed. "What's the matter? Is this the way to welcome me back, sweetheart?" The term of endearment brought a quick blush Into tho girl's cheeks. Rut alio replied lu cold, even tones: "Arc you now at liberty to address mo us your fiancee?" His eyes shifted before her level gaze. "Don't be rooiisn, aiarie. lou know you're the only womnn. You know that engagement must stnnd un til we are sure of the mine. There Is something else, as well " "This is quite enough for the pres ent," she broke in. "I promised to wuit for you until you should come back freo from your cousin. You have returned, but you nre not free from her. Is It honorable for you to speak to me now?" "How can I help It?" he urged, seek ing to melt her with his ardent gaze. "You nro tho only womnn tho only one In nil the world to me. Thero Is not another half as beautiful, u tenth as charming 1" She quivered In response to the deep, golden notes of his voice, yet held her self firm with all tho strength of her resolute will. "You speak of love," she rejoined. "You say nothing of marriage." "How can I?" he asked In an ag grieved tone. "You know that until wo get the mine Rut thnt won't be long now. These commissioners nro Jumplng-Jacks In tho bunds of my un cle. They will hustle matters through for us short order. Onco I we get tho mine, I'll be u freo man, and then, sweetheart " Rut the girl drew back from his pleading arms. "No," sho said. "If I must wait so must you. If you mean what you say, you should be satisfied that I still feel I may havo to wait" "You mean what?" ho stammered. She clenched her hnnds convulsively. "Why did you come first? Why could I not havo known him first?" "I see," ho muttered. "It's thnt that tin soldier." "Yes, it Is that gentleman l" sho flashed bnck. Again tho slender finger nulls cut into her palms. "Nice fatherly old fogy!" sneered Vandervyn. "You'ro far too much nllve, too much of a rcnl woman, to mistake your feeling toward him for love. Lovo! that's tho word, sweetheart youth nnd lovo nnd happiness! You nnd I, swcethenrtl" Sho blushed and trembled. Rut she hnd spent nil tho days of his absence In thnt Intlmuto comradeship with Hardy. At tho moment when Vander vyn thought to tnko her into his arms, her wlV rallied, her eyes hardened with resolution. "I havo ftiild that I will wait That is enough. You also shall wait" His eyes narrowed, "Has It nover occurred to you that you may bo a bit too euro of mo? Th mine mnv oinch out after the first few hundred thou sunds. I'm in on another deal that stands to net a cool million. When I get that In bank, I can huve any girl I choose to go after." "If 1 had ten times n million, and could buy you a character like his, I would gladly pay It nil ulll" The slash of u whip In his face would have stung him fur less. He stnrcd at her a long moment, while the full meaning of the words cut through the armor of his self-esteem. Mortification, anger, furious chagrin flamed In his face. He raised his hand as If to strike her, and instead, whirled about and rushed out through the porch. The girl sank on her knees, and pressed her hands to her lips to stillo the cry that would have called him buck. When she looked up, her fuco was white and drawn with anguish. Rut she had conquered. "IIo shall not shall not know my weakness I" she whispered with fierce determination. "If only it has offend ed him beyond forgiveness 1 If only he may go away forever I I might bo able to forget him In tlmol" CHAPTER XVIII. Pleasant Little Surprises. Too furious to heed what he wns about Vandervyn struck off up u rug ged gullcy behind the Dupont house. An hour passed before be came buck down the mountain-side. He wus changing his clothes when Dupont brought him an Impatient summons from tho ofllce: "Hurry up, Mr. Vun. They wnnt you. Where you been all this time?" "Went for n stroll," drawled Vander vyn. "They can wult." Ills volco be cume hursh and Incisive. "I want to speuk to you ubout something. You've been letting Marie get In thick with him." "Who? You menn Cnp?" sparred Dupont. "You didn't sny you wanted me to keep 'em from running togeth er." "You should have seen the dnnger. I take It, she litis been nlone with him most of tho time." "Well, what of it?" muttered Du pont. "What of It?" echoed Vandervyn. "Don't you know enough ubout army officers to realize that he would never niurry u quurtorbrced?" Dupont's crafty eyes narrowed. "I'm not so all-fired sure of that. Thero's lots of 'em has married even hulf bceeds. I've seen 'em." "Years ugo, when the frontier wns months uwny from civilization." "Mebbe, and mebbe them breed girls wasn't a tenth us good lookers us Marie. She's u ludy." Vundervyn's lip curled. "If you must have the gaff, Jake how about your self? Do you think un officer son-in-law would euro to have you visiting him nt an army post?" Dupont scowled. "Well, there ain't been no hurm done, nud you're back now." "Quite true. Rut his nttentlons havo put Marie on her high horse. I wish you to tuke a stand against him and back me up with her." "You sure enn count me In on that Mr. Van," eagerly assented Dupont "All right I've got him fixed. Rut I wunted to make sure of your bucking. If he conies to dinner tonight I'll havo a gay llttlo surprise or two up my sleeve for him." "I been wnltlng to nsk you about tho mine. How're we going to work the deal?" "We've got to make a show of a real contest. It's to be run on the old ntylo rush plun." "Suppose one of them there men at the butte has the best horse?" Vandervyn thrust out his Jaw. "Don't fnsh yourself. I'm going to huve that mine. This is my idea of the way we'll fix It" Ho leaned over vand murmured In Dupont's ear. Tho trader shook his head. "Um-m ! I'm not saying that mightn't work. Just the sumo, though, It'd make you tho only one what could do tho enter ing. I'd bo n sooner." "Tho mine would bo entered by me, but of course wo would hnve the un derstanding thnt you wero to get your half," replied Vundervyn. Ho stepped briskly to tho door. "Come, I guess tho bunch bus had tlmo enough to cool their heels." Still frowning dubiously, Dupont fol lowed hlra over to tho ofllce, 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 havo formed against Captain Hardy? When the Indians find they have been tricked will they ehed white blood? (TO BE CONTINUKD.) 8afe Bet A woman In Pottsvllle, Pn., laughed herself to death, but we nro willing to wuger that It wusn't over ono ot ber husband's Jokes. Detroit Times, -st4s: