RED OLOUD, NEBRASKA, CHIEF
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THE QUARTERBREED
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CHAPTER XVIII Continued.
10
Iln.vly at once addressed Vandervyn :
"Ho t;ii kind iih to open the safe and luy
hefoiu these commissioners every pub
lic paper In tho olllcc. They decline to
show UK! their nutliorlty for mi Inspec
tion of my iiccottntH. Tliurcforu 1 huvo
declined to make tin olllclul prosentn
tlon to thorn of agency uffulrs. There
Is nothing to concent from any In
quirer. You winy hiuid every document
to these persons In my presence."
Vundervyn nonchiiliiutly shrugged,
and went over to open the safe. One
of the commissioners remarked In an
officious tone: "Whore Is the Ihhuo
clerk? He ought to he present to ex
plain Ids accounts."
"That's Charlie Bedbear, gentle
uian tin Interpreter," explained Du
pout. "He lit out with his Hlster, down
the creek to his house, when wo was
eating. Want me to send for him?
You'll need him to make your olllclul
tulk to the chiefs."
"You will do as well for that, Juke,"
Interposed Vundervyn. "Besides, I he
llevo the commissioners will wish to
put off the powwowing until tomor
row. Its' ii tiresome trip ucross from
Uio rallroud. No doubt they will
glance through the agency pupers,
and then go over to your house to
plan the opening of tho mineral
lands."
Tho big, blear-eyed man who had
ridden In the front scat of tho car, nod
ded and replied in un oily tone: "If
you assuro us the accounts are cor
rect, Mr. Vundervyn, I think It Is need
less trouble ut this tlmo to uiuko fur
ther Investigation."
"Still, oughtn't we to" Ono of the
commissioners begun a querulous ob
jection. But his fellows were rising
to lenvo tho olllce, and he bent to the
will of the majority.
Hardy bowed them out with punc
tilious courtesy. Ho was still working
when Marie's Indian boy brought word
that she wished him to como to din
ner without fall. 'Ho hesltnted, but ut
last sent back the reply that he would
bo present.
Having in mind the cold and almost
Insulting milliner of the visitors, he cut
his arrival us close as possible. This
proved to bo a tactful move. Though
the newcomers were nil mellow with
whisky, a chilling bllenco followed the
entrance of tho acting ugont. Even
Dupont turned his thick shoulder uud
poured himself another drink without
a word of greeting.
Only Vundervyn raised his empty
glass to the lost guest, uud called
Ironically: "Just in time, cuptaln.
Here's to your quick progress uloug
tho courso of your career."
Hardy did uot reply. Ho was bow
ing to Marie, who hud that moment up
peured In tho dining room doorwuy.
"Dinner is served, gentlemen," sho
said, and she bowed In her most grando
dame manner. "Cnptulu Hardy, you
may take me in."
Vundervyn sprang up, angry-eyed.
Marie did not seem to perceive him.,
Sho stepped In beside Hurdy, and wait
ed with perfect composure while tho
other guests passed out after her fa
ther. Vandervyn's face was far from
pleasaut as ho followed tho others. The
girl did not look at him. Hardy escort
ed her to the heud of tho tuble, und
sho gavo him tho sent of honor. The
chairman of tho commission was gra
ciously asslgued to tho seat on her
left.
Hurdy was deeply gratified, but ho
failed to realize the full meaning of
his preferment us the most distin
guished gentleman present. Vunder
vyn alono was fully uwaro of the mo
tives that had prompted Mario to hon
or his rival. Ho bent over his plate,
his lip between his teeth. For u tlmo
ho could neither cut nor tulk. Then
bo rallied and, for a while, sat staring
Into tho bubbling amber of his cham
pagne, bis lips curved In an odd smile.
At last u merry quip from Mario stir
red him to action. Ho roso uud bowed
to her.
"Lady and gentlemen," ho smlllug
ly remarked. "I havo two very pleas
ant Uttlo announcements to tnuke. It
la my fond expectation thnt you will
relish them quite ns much us you huvo
relished this delicious Uttlo dinner."
Ho looked at Marie, smiled, uud con
tinued: "My first announcement relates to
our martial fellow-guest, tho gallant
and distinguished Captain Floyd Hur-
' dy. Tho privilege und pleusuro uro
mine to Inform tho distinguished otll
cor that tho war department has been
pleased to relieve him of this irksome
detail to grant him permission Imme
diately to Join his regiment, which Is
at Vancouver barracks, Washington,
under orders to sull for Alaska."
All eyes turned upon Hardy. Some
glinted with malice; others wcro cold.
Mario's alono wero sympathetic. Hardy
glanced around tho table with an Un
perturbed look, and bowed to Vunder
vyn. "Pray uccept my acknowledgment
of the kindliness with which you make
the announcement," he said, nnd ho
turned to srallo gravely Into Mario's
troubled face. "I could havo asked
for tlm to enrry out our Irrigation
plana But. doubtless, tho bureau will
The Story of an Army Officer on an Indian Reservation
By ROBERT AMES BENNET
find some one more competent than
myself."
"Will you not remonstrate against
this unjust order?" she exclaimed.
"You forget that 1 am soldier," he
replied. "Army life Is a life of serv
ice. You will now understand why
most army women uro army girls be
fore they are urmy wives."
"Ah but If u woman loves 1" mur
mured Marie, uud her gaze sank with
the drooping of her silken lids. "Alas
ka must be u magultlccnt land to vis
It." Vundervyn was bending to sent him
self. Ho strulghtened us If struck.
The suddenness of tho movement drew
all eyes hack to him. Ills wiiic-llushed
face hud gone white. He met the won
dering look of the man opposite, und
forced u smile.
"I have still another announcement
to muke," ho said, "one that you will
till admit to be still more pleasant than
tho delightful news of our gallant
friend's summons to wider fields of
service. Gentlemen nnd lady per
mit mo to remind you that all the
world loves u lover. This being true,
it follows thut all the world must dou-
"I'm the New Agent."
bly lovo a pair of lovers. It Is my
privilege and delight to be able to an
nounce thut, as I urn not at present
free to cngugo myself, the other mem
ber of, the pair, our charming hostess,
has graciously given her promise to
wult for me."
Ho caught up his champagne glass,
which the Indian hoy had Just refilled.
"Gentlemen, here's to tho loveliest
girl In the world, tho lady who has
given me her true promise 1"
The commissioners rose Dupont
rose. Hardy sat us if stunned, his eyes
fixed upon Murle's face in u strnlued,
half-incredulous stare. Sho was very
pule. She seemed to shrink. Yet she
made no attempt to deny Vandervyn'i.
statements. Hardy stood up with tho
other men uud, for the first tlmo that
evening, ho emptied his champagne
glass.
"Youth to youth l" ho murmured.
Meeting Vandervyn's exultant smile,
ho drew In u deep breath, and his voice
rang clear and steady: "You uro to
bo congratulated, sir. I wish you tho
grout good fortune that you may In nil
things prove worthy of the lady's
trust."
Vandervyn's flushed face crimsoned,
but whether with shame or anger could
not bo told. Marie had risen, and her
tactfuluess diverted attention from the
rivals.
"The coffee and cigars will be served
In the parlor," sho announced.
Vundervyn somewhat hastily led tho
way to the other room. Hurdy, being
the farthest away, followed behind tho
others. When ho came to the door ho
coolly closed and bolted It.
"Captain 1" breathlessly exclulmed
Marie. "What will they think?"
"Most of them nro beyond thinking,
nnd they havo tho whisky bottle," ho
replied. He faced about, uud camo
back to her.
Sho shrank beforo tho look In his
eyes.
"You you havo no right 1" she mur
mured. "I will go"
"Not until you have heard me. There
may bo no other opportunity for me to
suo you alone beforo I go uway," ho
said. "I do not wish to reproach you.
Yet you must realize that your fulluro
to tell mo of your promise to him led
mo to believe I hud a lighting chance."
"You do not usk mo to explain,"
she faltered.
"What Is there to explain?" ho re
Jolued. "You knew that I trusted
your sincerity utterly, and you wero
willing to amuse yourself with me
while he wus away."
"I you huvo no right," sho sought
to defend herself, "I nover led you
to believe "
"You told mo nothing of that prom
Iso to him. I thought you what you
knew I thought you; and all theso
weeks, every day How can u woman
look so bountiful seem so truo and
loving In every word and act and toy
with tho deepest feelings of n man as
you have amused yourself with mlue?
"Til W 3
No, do not attempt to deny tho facts,
please. It will only add to the bitter
ness. I am trying to keep from say
ing harsher things. I cannot hide the
fact that you have struck mo u severe
blow. It would be easier If you had
not Insisted upon my coming here to
night to be made the butt of his mock
ery." Mario threw up her head, her eyes
blazing with Indignant scorn.
"You can believe thut of me? I
thought you n gentleman I" lief volco
hardened. "You have been served ns
you deserve. And now I urn glnd
glad I"
He turned about nnd went out
through tho parlor. The other men
wero clinking glusscs In Jolly good-fellowship.
Dupont wuverlngly offered
him the whisky bottle. Ho thrust It
buck und left tho house.
CHAPTER XIX.
In Self-Defense.
Bather curly the next morning tho
big, red-faced, blear-eyed man came
ulono to the ofilce. He found Unrdy
making out a final report as acting
agent.
"Getting ready to turn over?" ho
usked.
"I am prepared to do so the moment
tho new agent arrives and has checked
tho lists of agency property," was
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," the man purred
In his oiliest tone. He handed over a
packet. "Hero nro tho papers rellev-i
ing you, nnd my appointment. I'm tho
new agent. I held them back to glvo
young Vundervyn tho chance to spring
his pleasant Uttlo surprises on you."
"Very considerate," said Hardy. He
opened and rend tho ofllclul document;
with care, pocketed his own, nnd bund
ed tho other back to tho new agent.
"Very good. Now, if you will examlno
tho nccounts of tho chief clerk and the
Issue clerk. I havo brought them down
to date, together with my report."
Tho new agent glanced at the papers
and took up a pen. "You've certified
their correctness. Thnt's enough for
me. I'll glvo you my O. K. of tho turn
over." "You would oblige mo by checking
tho property In the wurehouse."
"Waste of time, captain. You'll
wnnt to bo starting for tho railroad.
We mndc a night of It. Commission
ers' heads are soro this morning. They
want to get to work, and this Is the
best place. I can loan you my touring
cur to tuko you over to the rallroud."
"Thank you. I prefer to rldo my
mare," said Hardy. "I shall nsk you,
however, to send ono of the police with
my trunk in Dupont's buckbourd."
"I'll send It In tho motor. There's
n lot more of our own baggage to bo
brought out from tho railroad," In
sisted the new agent.
llo receipted Hardy's papers, and
went to hunt up the chauffeur of the
second cnr. Hardy took his private pa
pers und tho reports that he wished to
mull, nnd went over to his quarters to
puck his baggage. Dupont sent a po
liceman to fetch Hardy's muro and
came in to offer his big hand.
"Ilopo you ain't going off with no
hard feelings, Cap," he said.
Hardy gravely shook hands with
him.
"None, this morning," ho assured.
"A man cannot afford to cherish en
mity. I shall ask you to go with mo to
tho tepee of the head chief."
Dupont hesltnted, nnd ended by
complying with the request. They
found old Tl-own-konzii seated In his
tepee, waiting for tho white chiefs to
cull a council. When, with Dupont's
aid, Hardy explained that he must go
away, the noble old chief's stolidity
fell from him llko a mask, and ho
roso to cry out In impassioned speech
against tho departure of tho tribe's
truo friend. Hardy could only express
his deep regret, and repeat that he hud
to obey the orders of his own heud
chief. When ho had explained the
report on Irrigation that ho was mail
ing to the Indian bureau, ho exchanged
trifling gifts of friendship with tho
chief und toro himself uwuy.
Tho policeman was waiting with the
mure. Hardy guvc him a coin und
swung into the saddle.
"One last word, Dupont," ho snld.
"Kindly tell your duughtcr what I suld
ubout not cherishing enmity."
"How ubout Mr. Vnn?" questioned
Dupont.
"You need say nothing to him from
me. Hut" Hardy bent over In the
saddle to bring his stern faco near
tho trader's "I ndvlso you to wutch
that young man."
Dupont stood for soino tlmo staring
after tho olllcer. When ho sturted for
his store, beforo which a crowd of In
dians wero waiting, his shrowd eyes
wero narrow with calculation, und his
stubby forefinger was rubbing the griz
zled hnlr Under tho brim of his hut.
Hurdy permitted tho maro to chooso
her own pace.
As ho neared tho foot of tho valley,
he saw Itedbear und Olnna riding up
tho creek from the road crossing. Tho
girl drooped In ner saddle as If ill. A
nearer view confirmed his suspicions.
itedbear wus Intoxicated, and ho was
abusing his sister In the foulest of
language. When Hardy approached,
the girl averted her sliume-rodJenod
face, und dcooped still lower over her
pony's withers. Itedbear leered Inso
lently ut tho intruder nnd burst Into a
drunken laugh. Though his body was
reeling, he hud utmost perfect control
of his tongue
"Look nt him, Weenu; the" Here
followed n number of obscene epi
thets. "That man of yours lost no
time. The tin soldier Is on the run.
Told you we had fixed him."
"You drunken dog I" said Hurdy.
"Keep quiet and go home."
"Who's going to muke me?" ehul
leuged the hnlfhrced, his bloodshot
eyes flaring with vicious linger. "1
don't tiikb uny more orders from you.
You'd try to put tho killing of Nogen
on iul try to make out It wus me shot
him, and tried to shoot you those two
times I Hut Van fixed you. He prom
ised to keep you from putting mo In
Jail. Thut's why I let htm huvo Weena
when we went Into the mountains."
"You curt" cried Hardy. "So you
permitted him?"
Olnnu threw up her head with the
couruge of outraged innocence.
"Why should he stop him from tak
ing me?" she shrilled. "I am only a
breed girl, hut my mau loves me, mo
onlyl I had a right to bo his wlfo If
I wunted to."
"His wife?" Incredulously exclaimed
Hurdy. "A mau of his stump never
could have married you."
"He did I ho did I" Insisted Olnna.
"I thought you too kind to think I
would ho a bad girl. Ho married me
by trlbul custom und the common-law
way of whlto people."
Hardy's sharp gaze softened with
pity. "You poor young Innocent 1
Trlbul custom Is not binding on a whlto
man."
"But common-law marriage I" tri
umphantly rejoined tho girl In the
faith of her unquestioning love. "He
suld white peoplo often get murrled
that way."
Hurdy burst out between pity and
Indignation: "Tho scoundrel l You
poor child! Common-law marrlugc Is
only half-marrlagc ut best. To muko
It even that much of a tic, It Is neces
sary thut a mnn and woman should
live togther us husband and wlfo
openly. Ho kept this matter secret;
ho persuaded you and your brother to
tell no one the scoundrel!"
Stricken with grief nnd shame, Oln
na uttered a moun nnd crouched down
over her pony's withers, with her lace
in her bunds. But tho driuk-crazed
brain of Itedbear comprehended only
that Hurdy was berutlng his sister's
husband. Ho made un effort to
straighten In tho saddle, and his right
hand fumbled eagerly for the hilt of
his revolver. Hurdy swerved his maro
alongside and reached out. Itedhear
slumped from his saddle like u sack of
grain.
Olnnu slipped down to run to her
brother. But Hurdy was quicker. Ho
threw himself on the half-dazed drunk-
nrd. A skillful wrench loosened tho
stubborn clutch of the other's fingers
on the gun. Disarmed und perhups
partly sobered by tho shock, Itedbeur
stretched out on the dusty sod.
"Oh, he Is hurt 1" gusped Olnna.
Hurdy rolled tho drunkurd nwuy
from her and spoko sternly: "Ho Is
not hurt. Itedbear, stand up !"
Bedbenr gnthered himself together
and, aided by Olnnu, staggered to his
feet. Tho ponies had cantered away.
Hardy led his maro around beside
Itedbear, und ho and Olnna, between
them, managed to lift the almost help
less man Into the snddle. While they
wero going tho half-mile to tho cabin,
Hardy led the mure, und Olnna walked
beside her brother to steudy him In
his sent. Neither saw tho rider who
rodo up out of tho creek bed beyond
tho cabin and wheeled from view be
hind the end wall.
When they reached tho house, Hardy
helped Bedbear dismount beforo the
door and handed him his unloaded re
volver. He then lifted his hat to OIu
nn with utmost respectfulness.
"Miss Bedbenr," ho said, "you havo
been wronged In a most despicable
inunner. IIo hus lied to you. You
mustkecp uway from him. Go back
Into tho hiountulns with your grand
father. I believe tho ruscul will soon
lenvo tho reservation, and then you
will bo free from him."
"Thnnks for tho prophecy, cnptuln,"
came a Jeer from tho end of tho cubln.
They stared about, and saw Vunder
vyn standing nt tho corner, his faco
set In a cynical smile.
"So you've quit soldiering and taken
to preaching," ho sneered.
"O-o-ohl" sighed Olnna, 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 truo I Tell him our marrlugo Is
a real marriage I"
"What a fuss over a Uttlo thing llko
that!" ho rallied.
Tho girl cringed back, nnd sank
down, In silent anguish to hldo her
face.
"For Bhame, sir!" cried Hardy.
"Havo you no shred of decency?"
Vundervyn laughed. Itedbear sturt
ed staggering toward htm, the empty
revolver concealed behind his buck
with drunken cunning.
"You think It's funny," ho muttered,
"funny Joke! You own up thut mar
riage with her wasn't real tike you
said It was."
"What If It wasn't?" bantered Van
dervyn. "It was good enough for u
hnlfhrced squaw." He smiled nt
Hurdy. "Yes, good enough for nny
hnlfhrced or quartcrbreed. I'll have
Marlu next."
Hurdy tensed, yet Instantly checked
the wrath that would huvo Impelled
him to hurl himself ut the throat of
the mocker. Itedbeur locked such Iron
self-mustery, nnd liquor had numbed
his sense of subserviency to Vunder
vyn. At Murle's nnmc his fury burst
out.
"You llur! You thief!" he yelled.
"She's mlue! You promised! I'll
show you, you " Cursing wildly, he
nourished his revolver, und brought it
down In a wavering attempt to take
aim.
"Stop ! Stop !" Hurdy cried to Vun
dervyn. "It's not loaded! Stop!"
But Vundervyn hnd already whipped
out his revolver. From the muzzle
leuped n sheet of flame. Bedbear flung
up his arms and pitched backward.
Swiftly Vundervyn recocked his re
volver nndnlmed It at Hurdy.
"Put up your hands! Keep them
nwoy from your coat!" he shouted In
fierce menace.
Hardy did not put up his bauds. Ho
bent down to feel the heart of the
halfhrccd. Shrieking with horror,
Olnna fell fainting ncross the body of
her brother. Hurdy looked up, grim
nnd quiet.
"I hope you aro satisfied," ho suld.
"You havo killed him."
Vnndervyn kept his revolver pointed
at Hardy.
"I shot In self-defense," ho snnrlcd.
"Dou't you make a move. Ho 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 druw."
"Got out of here!" ordered Hardy,
heedless of the threat. "You've caused
trouble enough. Send the now agent.
You enn tell him thut I admit you seem
to have been Justified."
Vandervyn's menacing attitude re
laxed. He half lowered his revolver,
but kept n wary watch on Hardy as
lie backed away around tho corner
of the cubln, und run to Jump on his
pony nnd gallop uwuy. Hardy had
sprung up. But It was only to hasten
Into the house for water. He came out
with n half-filled bucket, drew Olnnu
over on her back, and dashed water
Into her face. Sho opened tier eyes,
saw him, nnd, reddening with shame,
turned her face aside. It happened
to bo toward her brother. Suddenly
she drew herself up on her elbow to
bend over the gray face.
"IK Is not dead !" sho gasped.
Bcdbcar's lips were moving. Hurdy
knelt to lift him up to a hnlf-slttlng
position. Ho knew by grim experience
that with such a wound there wus no
hope, but ho also knew that It would
ease tho agony to raiso tlio injured
man. Olnna dampened her brother's
forehead. Ho muttered a curse.
"Not that, boy," warned Hardy. "You
have only a few minutes."
Bedbenr seemingly did not hour him.
Ho repented the curse: "Tho ! I'd
V got him way I got Nogen If you
hadn't unloaded my gun."
"You shot Nogen?" queried Hardy.
"Speak out! You say you shot No
gen?" "Ho wanted her Mario snmo
way as Vnn sumo way ns Van snld
you wanted her. We I tried to get
you twice because he, van, told mo
you wunted Mnrle that wuy. Tho
liar the Ah-r-rh!"
From between tho lips that had
parted to utter tho curse there gushed
a scarlet stream.
Hardy laid the body on tho ground
und drew tho distracted girl away by
main force.
"Como Into the house," ho ordered.
"You must not look ntilm."
Sho offered only passive resistance.
When ho hnd put her In a chair, she
sat motionless, us If dazed, her dry
eyes fixed on vacancy.
"This won't do," ho said. "You
must go to your grandfather. I can
not take you with me, and besides"
no checked himself, caught up a
blanket, and went outdoors. When
presently ho returned, sho hud not
moved. Ho fastened her scant ward
robe and few trinkets In n blanket roll,
and led her out around tho house,
carefully keeping himself between her
nnd tho hlunket-covorcd form on tho
ground near tho door. Ho had brought
her own and her brother's pontes to
the back of tho house. Ho lashed tlio
hundlo on tho dead man's saddle,
lifted tho girl upon her pony, and
mounted his mure.
naif-way to tho ugency they met TI-own-konza
coming down with several
members of his family to visit his half
breed grandchildren. Urged by Hardy,
tho girl broke her distraught sllcnco to
tell tho old chief what had happened.
Beforo she had finished she was weep-
ng In the firms of her grandfather.
Notwithstanding the delay. Hardy
again permitted the mure to chooso
her own puce. Though she went ui
a steady trot, n messenger In the re-
inalnlnir automobile easily could hnvo
overtaken lilin nt nny time before dark.
But no messenger was sent.
Mldafternoon Hurdy met the cnr
that hud taken his baggage to town.
I! was piled high with the baggage of
the now agent and tho commissioners.
Tho chauffeur, with the Indifference of
a city man, whirled past him without
so much ns slackening ppecd. a
. ' J
,. CHAPTER XX.
The Registration.
At noon the following day tho com
mlssionors ciimc out to the bultc, am.
announced the conditions of the land
opening. All entrymen wcro to sturt
from the coulee ut u given signal, to
lie made at ten o'clock in the morning
of the second duy following. Any per
son who sturted before the slgnul
would be disqualified.
A tent was set up for the commis
sioners in the coulee bottom, on the
reservutlou side of tho dwindled
stream, nnd the chairman und secre
tary proceeded to take the signatures,
thumb prints and descriptions of the
waiting colony of prospectors and cow
boys. Since Hardy and Marie hnd first
come upon the enmp, the number of
men hnd twice doubled. Yet, owing
to the obscure manner In which the
proposed opening hud been advertised,
there were ubsurdly few of them, all
told, compared to tho multitudes at
other governmental land openings. Per
haps with u view toward covering this
discrepancy, the commissioners hud or
dered full descriptions of every con
testant, and so mannged to cover many
sheets of pupcr and to consume much
time.
Tho recording was well under way
when Vnndervyn and Dupont came
down to the camp. Neither made nnj
uttempt to push into the lino of entry
men. But Dupont read the posted no
tlco of the conditions of the contest,
frowned, und remarked to Vandervyn
thnt 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 deserted
camp.
"What Is It?" ho asked. "Have you
found u mtiro's nest thut Is hatching
out n horse good enough to outrun
triplets?"
Dupont shook his hend. "Don't you
let nobody hear that Joke around hero
Mr. Vim. Them there prospectors and
punchers nil lug guns, and they nln'l
the kind to stand for no funny busi
ness." "They'll have to stand for It, It
they don't understand It," punned
Vundervyn. "In this game three of o
kind bent all the Jacks In the pack."
"You best keep your head shut, Just
the same. Them punchers '11 ride the
hardest, nnd they're mighty shurp tc
see the dlfTreucc between horses."
"I told you Y. shnll rush them ofl
their feet. They'll think mo a fool
and drop behind, to overhaul me later
Now, If that's all you have to tell
mo"
Ho wheeled hrt borrowed pony t
rldo bnck.
"Hold on !" repWd Dupont, frowning
uneasily. "I want to talk over fixing
up about the way xo slinre the mine."
Vandervyn lifted his eyebrows
"Aren't you satisfied? Now that Bed
hear is out of tho way, there will b
none to question out sharing of thi
mine between us."
"It's between us, all idght," sullcnlj
replied Dupont. "Tnln't In writing
though. According to thm conditions
If I don't register today, I don't gll
Redbear Pitched Backwards.
no right to enter no claim. What's to
keep you from turning round und tell
ing mo to whlstlo for my linlf, Boon's
you git title to the mine?"
"Why, Jake I" exclaimed Vnndervyn
in an aggrieved tone. "How can you
think I could throw you down that
wuy? Even If wo weren't friends, you
know I wnnt Marie."
Dupont's eyes narrowed, and his Jaw
set obstlnutely. "That's all right; but
them that wunt to remain friends
want to remember that business la
business."
Vundervyn frowned, considered tho
mntter a few moments, smiled, and
drew a folded paper from an Inner
pocket.
"Very well. I expected to wait until
I reached tho mine. But slnco you in
sist, hero It Is my deed to you of a
full half-interest. You've been hint
Ing nnd looking bo confounded uneasy
ever since the accident to Bedbear,
that I thought I'd be ready for you."
x (TO BB 'YiNTINTIED.)
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