They are ill-mannered toward He becomes the killing of Nogen, the regular agent, by an Indian. Also, he dis- ment contains some revelations of CHAPTER De 2 Confidences. The rescuers the reined in their sweating lope when they first caught party on Hi from agency ponies he butte side of walk, eight short-haired Indian men in blue uniform, and a tall lipped young halfbreed frontier clothes, As they stop] the stream to water their ponies, ea furtively studied the rider who was proaching on the big, rangy mare “You're late, Charl Vandervyn. “Captain Hardy climbed the butte, and the whole bunch out.” “Soldiers?” i yd © too querie “No, he's alone plained Vandervyn a him alongside Hardy at stream. “Captain, bear, our issue « “Interpreter? bear do English? “No, sir, A the halfbreed. “Tell them horse soldiers here lov) to be the Redbear interpreted in mn kotah, pany swift The swarth) grunted approvingly, and their rolled out a sonorous reg breed interpreted mecha: says your is they are ready to trail and { been sent accompanying ni signs, eye straight. dians whose hearts are bs “They are not to pursue ordered Hard; shall cil of chiet cause of tr Redbear hesita inl Var spoke to him th Oo i the der in sh The ment, halfbreed but hs fac ? ister once the came stollc at Vandervyn. tice their Hardy sel Incdint The rest back up the “rom the in the lead. She would behind Vane ping pinto had the even to glance about and expression on the yo Hardy for him gide, and gravely rema to express my regret, that my detnil here h of your expected promotion.” Vandervyn's all mouth alta Hiea to Mr. deprived BI met he more agreeable expression as h the other's gauze. “You admit muttered, “Having accepted the detail, T cannot it? “But the extra pay was not one of the inducements. Permit me to suggest that arrangements can be made to di- vert to your salary the amount In ex- officer.” The offer was as unexpected as It was generous, Vandervyn flushed, bit his lip, and replied half inaudibly “You needn't think just because No, that's not quite— You may mean well, but that's no excuse—" “My fault, sir. Pardon gized Hardy. Vandervyn mountains, me.” apolo- looked considered, his companion with what cordial smile. “I am not used to be ing patronized, captain; but as you did not mean it that way" “Not at all.” Vandervyn nodded. “You une derstand that I'm not one of the com- mon run of Indian service employees, I was slated for our em- bassy at the Court of Saint James celebrated the coming event with some friends, and wound up by heaving a brick through a window of the White House. Uncle shipped me out here un. til the storm should blow over.” Hardy may have recalled the hazings in which he had shared at West Point, His only comment was: “You were fortunate to get any appointment.” “Oh, I don't know,” carelessly replied Vandervyn. “I didn’t wake the presi dent, and I had some of my wad left, The watchman sent me home In a taxi, Bur the infernal grafter must have ahead and nt turned to seemed HOw attache to This install. conditions on the reservation. PP LAANLD SP PPINPP EPISTLE ETP AE PEON peached, Zot don.” “Best i 1 insiead thing for you.” u think 807” said Vanderys ide-open eyelids droopin T wonths in this God-f« place. I wouldn't 8 if it hadn't heen f Dupont lay “Miss rit wl perfect e chooses ' sald Hardy take it fo nt on Vander She « he sure-nuff a in. “And that’ in « pened again in a wide There's little to tell tains, We met the murderer. He and i quarreled. He shot Nogen im. Then Redbear and 1 fired, f us got him 19 it That's all. lit in the I kept py in the office at the agency.” “Strange that Indian should at- Ftack a white man that way,” observed | Hardy. Yandervyn we don't know wns, You'll coroner's report. CO an “Was the cause ascertained?” twisted the tip of his blond mustache, “Well, it may be all talk, but I gather that the trouble was Nogen thought It The chiefs felt ugly because the goods were not | paid to them instead of to the laborers over this ore-buying. ! a good thing to encourage. { =the bucks and squaws who dug the ore, you know. The chiefs stirred up {a lot of bad blood. No doubt they in- stignted the murder. They want to {| boss the tribe their own way." “I.et us trust that we shall { them in hand before fall” i “Fall? echoed Vandervyn., “You ex- | | pect to stay all summer? That shuts | y me out of my promotion.” “You may receive the appointment of attache.” “Perhaps 1 don't want You forget Marie. The gravity of the officer's face hard. ened to sternness, “Mr. Vandervyn, | kindly bear in mind that, as agent of | this reservation, 1 am in charge of the | moral as well as the material welfare | of every member of the tribe.” Vandervyn quivered like a thorough bred flecked with the lash. His volce shook with passion : “Damn your Impudence! I'll have | you understand you're not talking to | one of your rough-neck recruits. My | ancestors were gentlemen before yours | were ever heard of.” “I regret that vou do not seem to have it just now, thave inherited their gentlemanly man- ners,” came back the cool rejoinder. Vandervyn's reddened face | erimson, gan to swell, But with a strong effort he repressed his anger and forced a smile, “You went me one better, Hardy. I throw down.” The officer responded w ympathy : ith instant become friends and work together for the good of the tribe.” “It's a go,” agreed Vandervyn, and as if cleared of all {ll temper by his out- burst, he began a lively conversation on official society in the national capi- vi the rise between and party river topped and Sioux creck rode small window. * » * N » * The next morning Hardy and Van-! deryyn were seated in the agency of- in and started | desk, on the “Wait!” said Hardy. “I wi chiefs and headmen of the tribe moned to me in as possible.” "it is farthest hh the meet council as ride in the mrked Vandervyn. Hardy considered, Redbear, “Does to mour a day's back and lo not w.fy il inged bank to the crossing As they rounded the Redbear rode uj pointed to stream, ¢ on the far side ght, among wide spur lardy's ri and the Curve oi ti cabin iking stream t », sir,” he said. bullt,” remarked Hardy, eyes, “Quite You have still to put dirt ner of ' » my hou Hoks well fleldgiasses an his the roof. a Squaw ide, er until sie | sir. I've got a rried.” of money,” 1, with the pr to boast, “I'v 1 lfbree } to buy you ‘andervyn. Redbea other's Hardy his pony. They had die in : swirled out . 10 meander fringed with other smsll " 1 rye 9H v * « itural tery , Or “bench.” two the gla showed log : at the ag Midway down r's eabls it across the creek Var ad resumed with zest his talk ¢ social the a wl-rall orvyn large post-ar h h bout t exile! Thi nt place over here.” iE at th . dred yards off to the right road. The broad front ch a homelike appearance. The wo cabins before him were very small, | Beyond them the big agency warehouse, Its overhanging upper showed that it had been built for a8 a blockhouse, but the many 1d rendered it less defens- e than one of the cabins. The only | in sight were the Indian police who had been left in charge bs Redbear, "Well?" repeated Vandervyn. i “Not an easy place to defend,” said Hardy. “Where is the office and t} guardhouse?” “The office is in the near front cor ner of the warchouse, The police quar- ters are in the other end. You see the white tepees over there across the creek? Most of the relations of the police camp near the agency. This | first cabin is Nogen's--yours, 1 should say. The second is mine.” “Your quarters? May I ask you for n bite of lunch as soon as I have rubbed down my mare?” “I board with the Duponts, but I can scare up a cold lunch,” sald Vandervyn. As they dismounted, Redbear came up and successfully curried favor with | the new agent by offering to curry his | mare, He led her away to the low | brush stable beyond the warehouse, i After Tunch, though still weary from his long ride, Hardy put in the rest of the day Inspecting the agency property and examining the necounts of the two clerks. With the exception of two or three small {tems on Redbear’s books, everything checked accurately, Vandervyn brought bacon, need ls double it stood story use windows h: $ ih r{ons two [el ie coffee, agent cooked supper with the skill of an old campaigner, After they had in anticipation of a social evening. But Hardy was so drowsy that he asked to be excused, The moment he was alone, he lald his rifle and autoumtic pistol in the bunk, blew out the candle, and tumbled In on his blankets, without 1 the valley ODE back into the office and tort carefully All letters ad sorted Ire several ted down to s had b een le agency Marie Dupont was driving : ani “This is They « yn OVEN LHnna. ant her to she must be will not send her ba girl looked at smile of ti Me young ent with a wid appeal, ¢ as quickly drooped her head in bashful Hardy's gaze answered reassuringly: It will embarrassment, ened, and he “Redhe ir be all right.” “You are proved Marie spoke of his sister, n t kin] to the " i 108 < it, ap- condescension | of a gracious young queen. “Captain | Hardy, expect you to dine | with us this evennig. I shall send over | your luggage in a few minutes You necd fot dress for dinner.” with we shail CHAPTER IV. The First Card. As Hardy was unpacking his scant | wardrobe, an Indian boy came to the | door, thrust in his head and announced | gutturally : “M'ree him say you come six." Hardy nodded to the boy and signed | him to go. Ten minutes later he stepped up on the porch of the Dupont | house he could knock, Du pout stepped from the rear door of his | trade store, which faced away from the | porch. “Hello, Cap!” he greeted the guest with bluff cordiality. “Glad to see you. Walk right in.” Hardy crossed the threshold and; paused. The floor was covered to re-| semble waxed hardwood, The oriental | rugs were real. The walls were pa- pered with a quiet tapestry pattern. | The adobe fireplace was set with fn modern grate and facea with a tile] mantel, The few pictures were well ! chosen. There wns no. sign of the | guns, skins and Navajo blankets that | Hardy had expected to see, Vandervyn, lolling in an easy chair | beside the small, well-filled bookcase, | Before igent’s surpri Dupont grunted “Don’t think I'm ph Marie Said she unless she had th tawa, Cried till I had to give in.” “Don’t you let him « chuckled Vandervyn Marie apologetically : b crazy. It's all couldn't lig (te in - here ngs just captain,” nm you, Hse eh “Well, ¢ 1 cou 5 up to us to loos had shooed gince vy accepted tl howey ask you ? 44 ’ yf the more - “The Chiefs Will Come Tomorrow,” Interpreted Redbear, you believe in dry weather for our “Sure, and here's one all round to show there ain't no hard feeling.” said Dupont. He poured out three drinks, each measured to the brim of a whisky glnss, appeared at a gulp, Hardy took a sip, | and asked for a seltzer. The bottle | was handed around another time and fourfd him not yet finished with his first drink. But Dupont had siready begun to mellow and was In “Here's to your boiled toasted, “Stand-up collar and a white shirt | It's sure a high-toned cel bration. Bet. ter You'll have to mail "em a hundred miles to the near | est Cl n wi they git dirty.” {| “Cheaper them away, snd | send a wall order to Chicago for new put He add | he adjusted fashions was hardly keeping | flannel “But to the local styles.” Marie she bowed to th weur ‘em en n when io 1} irow { one In Vandervyn. the in ed, as ble tie that gray i $e bs awe ‘ wi hirt : you'll again appe HOOP vith ime pre +» forma: f 1 1 8 a gaze by looking i ng room. It was as eof the his id and given ¢ ess from hen he arew a om Vane . Miss Du- in an In- fifty-mile and followed next, fifty linner as this!” the ck, great-granddanught then la bos flashed bn r of cunisiniere kK th girl. Two streaks in the sad- domestic science” ine Vhere ) heredity, plus childhood » and a course in “Yet you must be fatigued.” “When I have done what 1 set out to then 1 permit myself to consider whether I need rest. There was a time when my red ancestors had no They ran down thelr gande tle 3 h | horses. afoot.” “You will always ride—or drive™ | bantered Vandervyn. “By Gar, she won't never be drivea™ i declared Dupont with conviction. | Vandervyn smiled over his cham- | pagne gl He did not notice that | Marie was looking at him. But Hardy | was watching her. He saw her proud | face soften and her brilliant eyes melt | with tender passion. His own face | became grave, A moment later she was | rallyi him for his seriousness, and ass, pr ng [ her animation soon compeiled him to | forget what he had seen. Vandervyn { had not been mistaken in his assertion that she could act the lady to perfec. { tion when she chose, Though the cigars {proved to be Havanas, they were brought in much sooner than suited Hardy. Do you believe that Marie and Captain Hardy will become real. ly good friends? Will he get her influence for his purposes in dealing with the dissatisfied In. dians(
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers