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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:
