THE FULTON COUNTY NEWS. McCONNELLSBURO, PA.
THE QUARTERBREED
I
The Story of an Army Officer on an Indian Reservation
By ROBERT AMES BENNET
CHAPTER XVIII Continued.
10
Uardy at once addressed Vandervyn :
"lie bo kind as to open the safe and lay
before these commissioners every pub
lic paper In the office. They decline to
how me their authority for on Inspec
tion of my account!. Therefore 1 have
declined to make an ofllclul presenta
tion to them of agency affairs. There
la nothing to conceal from any In
quirer. You may hand every document
to these persona In my presence."
Vandorvyn nonchulantly shrugged,
and went over to open the safe. One
of the commissioners remarked In an
officious tone: "Where la the Issue
clerk t He ought to be present to ex
plain his accounts."
"That's Charlie Redbenr, gentle
man the Interpreter," explained lu
pout. "He lit out with his slater, down
the creek to his house, when we was
eating. Want roe to send for hliuT
You'll need him to make your official
talk to the chiefs."
"You will do aa well for that, Juke,"
Interposed Vandervyn. "Resides, I be
lieve the commissioners will wish to
put off the powwowing until tomor
row. Its' a tiresome trip across frm
the railroad. No doubt they will
glunce through the ngency papers,
end then go over to your house to
Elan the opening of the mineral
inds."
The big, blear-eyed man who had
ridden In the front Jut of the car, nod
ded and replied In nn oily tone: "If
you assure us the accounts are cor
rect, Mr. Vandervyn, I think It Is need
less trouble at this time to make fur
ther Investigation."
"Still, oughtn't we to" One of the
commissioners began a querulous ob
jection. But his fellows were rising
to leave the office, end be bent to the
will of the majority.
Hardy bowed them out with punc
tilious courtesy. He was still working
when Marie's Indian boy brought word
that she wished him to come to din
ner without fall. lie hesitated, but at
lust seut buck the reply that he would
be present.
Having In mind the cold nnd almost
Insulting mnnner of tho visitors, he cut
his arrival aa close ns possible. This
proved to be a tnctful move. Though
the newcomers were ull mellow with
whUky, a chilling silence followed the
entrance of the acting ngent Even
Dupont turned his thick shoulder anil
poured himself another drink without
a word of greeting.
Ouly Vundervyu raised his empty
glass to tho last guest, and called
: Ironically: "Just In time, captain.
Here's to your quick progress along
the course of your career."
Hardy did not reply. Ho was bow
ing to Marie, who hud that moment ap
peared la tho dining room doorway.
"Dinner la served, gentlomen," she
aid, and she bowed In her most grunde
dnme manner. "Captain Hardy, you
may tuke me In."
Vandervyn sprang up, nngry-eyed.
Marie did not seem to perceive hiin.
She stepped in beside Hardy, and wait
ed with perfect composure while the
other guests passed out after her fa
ther. Vandervyn's fnce was fur from
pleasant as he followed the others. The
Ctrl did not look nt him. Hardy escort
ed her to the head of the tabic, and
she gave him the seut of honor. The
chnlrmun of the commission was gra
ciously asslgued to the scat on her
left.
Hardy waa 'deeply gratified, but he
fulled to realize the full meaning of
his prefermeut us the most distin
guished gentleman present Vander
vyn alone was fully nwnre of the mo
tives that had prompted Marie to hon
or his rival. Ha beut over his plate,
his Up between his teeth. For a time
he could neither cat nor tnlk. Then
ho rallied and, for a while, sat staring
luto the bubbling amber of his cham
pagne, his lips curved In nn odd smile.
At lust a merry quip from Marie stir
red him to action. He rose and bowed
to her.
"Lady nnd gentlemen," he smiling
ly remarked, "I have two very pleas
ant little announcements to make. It
Is my fond expectation that you will
relish them quite as much ns you have
relished this delicious llttlo dinner."
He looked at Murlc, smiled, and con
tlnued :
"My first announcement re'stes to
onr mnrtlnl fellow-guest, the gullnnt
nnd distinguished Captain Floyd Har
dy. The privilege nnd pleasure are
mine to Inform the distinguished olll
cer that the war de;iai'tinent Ims been
pleased to relieve him of tills Irksome
detail to grant him permission imme
diately to Join his regiment, which Is
. at Vancouver bnrracks, Washington,
under orders to sail for Alaslta."
All. eyes turned upon Hardy. Some
glinted with mullce; others were cold.
Marie's alone were sympathetic. Hardy
glanced around the table with an Un
perturbed look, and bowed to Vander
vyn. "I'ray accept my acknowledgment
of the kindliness with which you make
the announcement," he said, and he
turned to smile gravely Into Marie's
troubled fuce. "I could hove asked
for time to carry out our Irrigation
plans. But, doubtless, the bureau will
find some one more competent than
myself,"
"Will you not remonstrate against
this unjust orderr sho exclaimed.
"You forgot thot I am a soldier," he
replied. "Army life Is a llfo of serv
ice. You will now understand why
most army womie h.vniy girls be-
for ure army wives."
"u ' u woman loves I" mur
mured Marie, and her gaze saiV'k with
the drooping of her silken lids. "Alus
ka must be a magnificent lunl ' to vis
it."
Vandervyn wn bending to a.ent him
telf. straightened aa l.f struck.
ooooooooooooooo
The suddenness of the movemeut drew
all eyes back to him. His wine-flushed
face had gone white. He met the won
dering look of the man opposite, uud
forced a smile.
"I have still another announcement
to make," he said-, "one that you will
all admit to be still more plcnsunt than
the delightful news of our gallant
friend's summons to wider fields of
service. Gentlemen nnd ludy per
mit me to remind you that ull the
world loves a lover. This being true,
it follows that ull the world must dou
bly love a pair of lovers. It is my
privilege and delight to bo able to an
nounce that, aa I am not at present
free to engngo myself, the other mem
ber of the pair, our charming hostess,
has graciously given her promise to
wnlt for me."
He caught up his champagne glass,
which the Indlun boy had Just refilled.
"Gentlemen, here's to the loveliest
girl in the world, the lady who hus
given me her true promise I"
Tho commissioners rose Dupont
rose. Hardy sat as If stunned, his eyes
fixed upon Marie's fuce In a strained,
half-Incredulous stare. Site was very
pale. She seemed to shrink. Yet she
made no attempt to deny Vnndervyn't,
statements. Hardy stood up with tho
other mon and, fur the first time that
evening,, he emptied his champugm
glass.
"Youth to youth I" ho murmured.
Meeting Vandervyn's exultant smile,
he drew in a deep breath, and his voice
rang clear nnd steady: "You are to
be congratulated, sir. I wish you the
great good fortuno that you may In all
things prove -worthy of the lady's
trust."
Vandervyn's flushed fnce crimsoned
but whether with shame or auger couM
not be told. Marie had risen, and her
tactfulness diverted uttentlon from the
rlvnls.
"The coffee and cigars will be served
In the parlor," she announced..
Vandervyn somewhat hastily led the
way to tho other room. Hardy, being
the farthest uway, followed behind tlw
others. When he came to the door he
coolly closed and bolted It.
"Captain 1" brenthlessly exclnlmed
Marie. "Whnt will they think?"
"Most of them are beyond thinking,
and they have the whisky bottle," he
replied. He" fuced about, aud came
back to her.
She shrank before the look In his
eyes.
"You you hnve no right 1" she mur
mured. "I will go "
"Not until you hnve heard me. There
may be no other opportunity for me to
see you alone before I go away," he
snld. "I do not wish to reproach you.
Yot you must realize that your fullure
to tell me of your promise to him led
mo to believe I had a fighting chance."
"You do not ask me to explain,"
she fullered.
"What Is there to explain r he re
joined. "You knew that I trusted
your sincerity utterly, nnd you were
willing to amuse yourself with me
while he was away."
"I you have no right" she sought
to defend herself. "I never led you
to believe "
"You told mo nothing of thnt prom
ise to him. I thought you what you
knew I thought you; nnd all these
weeks, every day How can a woman
look so beautiful seem so true nnd
loving In every word nnd net and toy
with tho deepest feelings of a man as
you hnve amused yourself with mine?
No, do not attempt to deny the fuels,
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 me a severe
blow. It would be easier If you had
not Insisted upou my coming here to
night to be mud,! tho butt of his mock
ery." Marie threw up her head, her eyes
blazing with Indignant scorn.
"You can believe that of me? I
thought you n gentleman !" Her voice
"I'm the New Agent"
hardened. "You huve been served aa
you deserve. And now I am glad-
glad 1"
Ho turned about and went out
through the parlor. Tho other men
were clinking glnsses In Jolly good-fellowship.
Dupont wnverlngly offered
him the whisky bottle. He thrust It
back and left the bouse.
CHAPTER XIX.
In Self-Defense.
Rather early tho next morning the
big, red-fneed, bleur-cyed man came
alone to the olllce. Ho found Hardy
making out a fiuul report as acting
agent
"(letting ready to turn over?" he
asked.
TRW
DOOOCXXXXXXXJ
"I am prepared to do so the moment
the new agent arrives and has checked
the lists of agency property," was
Hardy's curt reply.
"AIJ right I'll O. K. your report.
Don't need to check the lists of an olll
cer and gentleman," the man purred
In his oiliest tone. He hunded over a
packet. "Here are tho papers reliev
ing you, and my uppolntinent I'm the
new agent I held them back to give
young Vandervyn the chance to spring
his plcnsunt little surprises on you."
"Very considerate," said Hardy. lie
opened and read tho official document
with core, pocketed his own, and hand
ed the other back to the new agent.
"Very good. Now, If you will examine
the accounts of the chief clerk and the
issue clerk. I have brought them down
to dute, together with my report"
The new agent glanced nt tho pnpen
and took up a peji. "You've certified
their correctness. Thnt's enough for
mo. I'll give you my O. K. of the turn
over." "You would obllgo me by checking
the property In the warehouse."
"Waste cf time, captuln. You'll
want to be starting for the railroad.
We made a night of It Commission
ers' heads nro sore this morning. They
want to get to work, and this Is the
best place. I cun loan you my touring
car to tuke you over to the railroad."
"Thnuk you. I prefer to ride my
mnre," said Hardy. "I shall osk you,
however, to send one of tho police with
my trunk In Dupout's buckbonrd."
"I'll send It' In the motor. There's
a lot moro of our own baggage to be
brought out from the railroad," In
sisted the new agent
He receipted Hardy's papers, and
went to hunt up the chauffeur of the
s.-rond car. Hardy took bis private pa
pers nnd tho reports that he wished to
mail, and went over to hla quarters to
pnek his baggage. Dupont seut a po
liceman to fetch Hardy's mare nnd
cume In to offer his big hand.
"Hope you ain't going off with no
hard feelings, Cap," he said.
Hardy gravely bhook hands with
him.
"None, this morning," he assured.
"A man cannot afford to cherish en
mity. I shall ask you to go with me to
the tepee of the head chief."
Dupont hesitated, and ended by
complying with the request They
found old Tl-owa-kouzn seated lu his
tepee, waiting for the white chiefs to
call a council. When, with Dupont's
aid, Hardy explained that he must go
nwuy, the noblo old chief's stolidity
fell, from him like n musk, nnd he
rose to cry out In Impassioned speech
against the departure of the tribe's
true friend. Hardy could only express
his deep regret, and repent that he hud
to obey tho orders of his own head
chief. When he had cxplulned the
report on Irrigation that he was mull
ing to the Indian bureau, he exchanged
trifling gifts of friendship with the
chief and tore himself away.
The policeman was waiting with the
mare. Hardy gave him a coin and
swung luto tho saddle.
"One lust word, Dupont" he said,
"Kludly tell your duughter wlmt I snld
about not cherishing eitmlty."
"How about Mr. Van?"- questioned
Dupont
"You need say nothing to him from
me. Hut" Hurdy bent over In the
saddle to bring his stern face near
the trader's "I advise yi to watch
that young mnn."
Dupont stood for some time staring
after the oflicer. When he started for
his store, before which n crowd of In
dlnns wcro writing, his shrewd eyes
were narrow with calculation, nnd his
stubby forefinger wus rubbing the griz
zled hair under the brim of his bat
Hurdy permitted (he mure to choose
her own puce.
As he nenred tho foot of the valley,
he saw Itcdheur and OInnn riding up
the creek from the road crossing. The
girl drooped In ncr saddle as If 111. A
nearer view confirmed his suspicious.
Kcdhenr was Intoxicated, and he was
abusing his sister In the foulest of
languuge. When Hardy approached,
the girl averted her shame-reddened
face, and drooped still lower over her
pony's withers. Itcdbcar leered Inso
lently at the Intruder nnd burst Into a
drunken laugh. Though his body was
reeling, be had almost perfect control
of his tongue
"Look nt him, Weeunj tho" Here
followed a number of obscene epl
tbets. 'That mun of yours lost no
time. The tin soldier Is on the run.
Told you we had fixed him."
"You drunken dog!" said Hardy,
"Keep quiet nnd go home."
"Who's going to make me?" chal
longed the halfbreed, his bloodshot
eyes fiuriug with vicious nngor. "I
don't take any more .ardors from you
You'd try to put the killing of Nogen
on mo try to lnnko out It was me shot
hlui, aud tried to shoot you those two
tiniest Hut Vun fixed you. Ho prom
Iscd to keep you from putting me In
Jail. That's why 1 let him have Weena
when we went Into the mountains."
"You curl" cried Hurdy. "So you
permitted him?"
01 mm threw up her head with the
courage of outraged Innocenco.
"Why should he stop him from tnk
Ing me?" she shrilled. "I am only a
breed girl, but my mnn loves me, me
only I I had a right to be his wife If
I wanted to
"His wl.'eT' Incredulously exclaimed
Hardy. "A man of his stamp never
could hnve murrled you.
"He did I be did I" insisted Olnna.
"I thought you too kind to think I
would be a bud girl. He married me
by tribal custom and the common-law
way of white people."
Hardy's sharp gazo softened with
pity. "You poor young Innocent I
Tribal custom Is not binding on a whit
"Hut common-law marriage I" tri
umphantly rejoined the girl In the
faith of her unquestioning love, "lie
said white people often get married
Unit way."
Hurdy burst out between pity nnd
Indignation: "The scoundrel I You
poor child I Common-law marriage Is
ouly half-marrlogo at best. To make
It even that much of a tie, It Is neces
sary that a man and woman should
live togther us husband and wife
openly. He kept this matter secret;
ho persuaded you nnd your brother to
tell no one the scoundrel!"
Stricken with grief and shame, Oln
na uttered a moan nnd crouched down
over her pony's withers, with her face
In her hands. Hut the drink-crazed
bruin of Redbenr comprehended only
that Hardy was berating his sister's
husband. He made an effort to
straighten In the saddle, and his right
hand fumbled eagerly for the hilt of
his revolver. Hardy swerved bis mnre
alongside aud reached out Kedbeor
slumped from his saddle like sack of
grain.
Olnna slipped down to run to her
brother. Hut Hurdy wus quicker. Ho
threw himself on the half-dazed drunk
ard. A Eklllful wrench loosened the
stubborn clutch of the other's fingers
on the gun. Disarmed nnd perhaps
partly sobered by the shock, Itedbeur
stretched out on tho dusty sod.
"Oh, he Is hurt!" gasped Olnna.
Hardy rolled the drunkard away
from her and spoke sternly: "He Is
not hurt Redbenr, stand up!"
Redbenr gathered himself together
and, aided by Olunu, staggered to his
feet The ponies had cantered away.
Hardy led his mare around beside
Rcdbeur, and he nnd Olnna, between
them, munnged to lift the almost help
less man Into the saddle. While they
were going the half-mile to the cabin,
Hardy led the mare, aud Olnna walked
besldo her brother to steudy him In
his seut Neither saw the rider who
rode up out of the creek bed beyond
the cnhln and wheeled from view be
hind tho end wall.
When they reached tho house. Hardy
helped Redbear dismount, beforo the
door and handed him his unlondcd re
volver. He then lifted hla hat to Oln
na with utmost respectfulness.
"Miss Redbenr," ho said, "you have
la-en wronged In n most despicable
manner. Ho hns lied to you. You
must keep away from hlra. Go bock
Into the mountains with your grand
father. I believe the rascal will soon
leave tho reservation, and Uien you
will be free from him." .
"Thanks for the prophecy, cnptnln,"
came a Jeer from tho end of the cnbln.
They stared about, nnd saw Vunder
vyn standing nt tho corner, his fnce
set In a cynical smile.
So you've quit soldiering nnd tukcu
to preaching," he sneered.
"O-o-ohl" sighed Olnna, and she
crept' toward the mocker, her hands
Imploringly outstretched, her soft
eyes brimming over with tears of piti
ful entreaty. "Tell him tell hlra It
Isn't true I Tell him our marriage Is
a real marriage!"
"Whut a fuss over a little thing like
thnt!" he milled.
The girl cringed back, and sank
down, In silent anguish to bide her
fuce.
"For shnmo, sir!" cried Hardy.
"Have you no shred of decency?"
Vandervyn .laughed. Redbear start
ed staggering toward hlra, tho empty
revolver concealed behind bis back
with drunken cunning. '
"You think It's funny," he muttered,
"funny Joke! You own up thnt mnr-
rluge with her wasn't real like yon
snld It was."
"Whut If It wasn't?" bantered Van
dervyn. "It was good enough for a
hnlfbreed sjuaw." He smiled at
Hardy. "Yes, good enough for any
hulfbrecd r qunrterbrced.. I'll have
Marie n'tx:."
Ilnrdy tensed, yet Instnntiy checked
the wr.th that would have Impelled
him U hurl himself nt the throat of
the mocker. Redbenr lucked such Iron
self-mastery, nnd liquor had numbed
his sense of subserviency to Vander
vyn. At Murle's name his fury burst
out.
"You llnrl You thief!" he yelled.
"She's mine t You promised I I'll
show you, you" Cursing wildly, he
flourished his revolver, nnd brought It
down In a wavering attempt to take
aim.
"Stop ! Stop !" Ilnrdy cried to Van
dervyn. It'B not loaded I Stop!"
But Vandervyn bad nlrendy whipped
out Ids revolver. From the muzzle
leaped a sheet of flame. Redbear flung
up his arms and pitched backward.
Swiftly. Vundervyn rtcocked his re
volver and nlmed It nt Hurdy.
"Put up your hands! Keep them
uwny from your coat!" he shouted in
fierce menace.
Hardy did not put up his hands. He
bent down to feel the heart of the
halfbreed. Shrieking with horror,
OInnn fell fainting across the body of
her brother. Hurdy looked up, grim
and quiet. '
"I hope you are satisfied," he said,
' You have killed hlra."
Vandervyn kept hla revolver pointed
at Hardy.
"I shot In self-defense," ho snarled.
"Don't you make a move. Ho hud his
gun on me "
"It was empty. I called to yon."
"You didn't not till I had fired.
twt hlra down to suve my life. I'll
shoot you, too. If you try to draw."
"Get out of here I" ordered Hurdy,
heedless of tho threat "You've caused
trouble enough. Send the now agent
You can tell hlra that I admit you seem
to huve been Justified."
Vandervyn's menacing attitude re
laxed. He half lowered his revolver,
but kept a wary watch on Hardy m
he backed away around the corner
of the cabin, and ran to Jump on his
pony and gallop away. Hardy had
sprung up. But It was only to busten
Into the house for water. He came out
with a half-filled bucket drew Olnna
over on her back, and dashed water
Into her face. She opened her eyes,
saw hlra, and, reddening with shnme,
turned her fuce aside. It happened
to bo toward her brother. Suddenly
she drew herself up on her elbow to
bend over the gray face.
"He Is not dead I" she gasped.
Iledbcar's lips were moving. Hardy
knelt to lift him op to a half-sitting
position. He knew by grim experience
that with such a wound there wus no
hope, but he also knew that It would
ease the agony to raise the Injured
mun. Olnna dampened her brother's
forehead. He muttered a curse.
"Not that boy," warned Hardy. "You
have only a fow minutes."
Redbear seemingly did not heat him.
lie repeated the curse: "The! I'd
'a' got him way I got Nogen If you
nndn't unloaded my gun."
"You shot Nogen V queried nnrdy.
"Speak out! You say you shot No
gen?" "He wonted her Mnrle snmo
way as Van same way ns Van suld
"
Redbear Pitched Backwards.
you wunted her. We I tried to get
you twice because he, Van, told me
you wnuted Murle thut "way. The
liar the Ah-r-rh!"
From between tho Hps thnt hod
parted to utter the curse there gushed
a scarlet stream.
Ilnrdy laid the body on the ground
nnd drew the dlstractou girl nwny by
main force.
"Come Into the bouse." he ordered.
"You must not look at hlra."
She offered only passive resistance.
When he had put her In a chair, she
snt motionless, ns If dazed, her dry
eyes fixed on vacancy.
"This won't do," he snld. "You
must go to your grandfather. I can
not take you with me, nnd besides "
He checked himself, caught up a
blanket and went outdoors. When
presently he returned, she had not
moved. He fnstencd her scant ward
robe und few trinkets In a blanket roll,
nnd led her out around the house
cnrcfully keeping himself between her
and the blnnket-covered form on tho
ground near the door. He had brought
her own and her brother's ponies to
the back of the house. He lushed the
bundle on the dead man's saddle,
lifted tho girl upon her pony, und
mounted his mnre.
Half-way to the agency they met Tl-own-konza
coming down with several
members of his family to visit his hnlf
breed grandchildren. Urged by Unrdy,
the girl broke her distraught silence to
tell tho old chief whnt had happened.
Beforo she hnd finished sho wns weep
ing In the arms of Iter grandfather.
Notwithstanding the delay, Hurdy
again permitted the mnre to choose
her own pnee. Though sho went at
a steady trot a messenger in the re
maining automobile easily could have
overtaken him nt any time before dark.
But no messenger wns sent. '
Mldafternnon Unrdy met the car
thnt hud taken bis bngguge to town.
It was piled high with the baggage of
the new agent and the commissioners.
The chauffeur, with the Indifference of
a city mun, -whirled past him without
so much as slackening speed.
CHAPTER XX.
The Registration.
At noon the following day the com
missioners came out to tho butte, nnd
nnuounced the conditions of the laud
opening. All entrymcn wcro to start
from the coulee nt a given signal, to
be made nt ten o'clock In the morning
of the second duy following. Any per
son who started before tho signal
would be disqualified.
A tent wns set up for the commis
sioners In the coulee bottom, on tho
reservation side of the dwindled
stream, nnd the chairman nnd secre
tary proceeded to tuke the signatures,
thumb prints and descriptions of the
waiting colony of prospectors and cow
boys. Since nardy nnd Mnrle had first
come upon the camp, the number of
men had twice doubled. Yet, owing
to tho obscure mnnner In which the
proposed opening had been advertised,
there were ubsurdly few of them, all
told, compared to the multitudes at
other goverumontul land openings. Per
Imps with a view toward covering this
discrepancy, the commissioners hud or
dered full descriptions of every con
testant, nnd so munuged to cover many
sheets of paper and to consume much
time-
The recording waa well under way
when Vundervyn nnd Dutn-nt mun
down to the camp. Neither made an)
attempt to push Into the line cf entry
men. But Dupont rend the posted uo
tlco of the conditions of the con I ext.
frowned, jind remarked to Vandervyn
thut he wished to show him something
over at the butte. The young man
looked bored, yet borrowed a pony, and
rode across wltb hlra to the deserted
cump.
"What Is li?" he asked. "Have you
found a mare's nest thut Is hatching
out a horse good enough to outrun
triplets V
Dupont shook his head. "Don't you
let nobody hear thnt Joke around here,
Mr. Van. Them there prospectors and
punchers all lug guns, und they ain't
the kind to stund for no funny busi
ness." "They'll hnve to stand for It. If
they don't understand It," punned
Vandervyn. "In this game three of a
kind bent all the Jacks In the pack."
"You best keep your head shut Just
the same. Them punchers '11 ride the
hardest, and they're mighty sharp to
sco the dlffrcnce between horses."
"I told you I shall rush them of!
their feet They'll think me a fool,
nnd drop behind, to overhaul me later.
Now, If thnt's all you hnve to tell
mo "
He wheeled his borrowed pony to
ride back.
"Hold on I" replied Dupont frowning
unenslly. "I wnnt to tnlk over fixing
up'ubout the way we share the mine."
Vandervyn lifted his eyebrows.
"Aren't you satisfied? Now that Red
benr Is out of the way, there will be
none to question our sharing of the
mine between us."
"It's between us, nil right," sullenly
replied Dupont. "Taln't In writing,
though. According to them conditions.
If I don't register today, I don't gii
no right to enter no claim. What's to
keep you from turning round nnd tell
ing nio to whistle for my half, soon'
you git title to the mine?"
"Why, Juke!" exclaimed Vandervyn
In nn aggrieved tone. "How can you
think I could throw you down thai
way? Even If wo weren't frleuds, you
know I want Marie."
Dupnnt'scyes narrowed, nnd hlsjuv
set olistlnntely. "That's all right; but
them thut want to remain frlend
wnnt to remember thut business l
business."
Vundervyn frowned, considered tlu
matter a few momeuts, smiled; and
drew a folded paper from an lunei
pocket.
"Very well. I expected to wnlt untl!
I reached the mine. But since you In
sist, here It Is my deed to you of a
full half-interest You've been hint
Ing nnd looking so confounded uncus)
ever since the accident to Redbenr
that I thought I'd be ready for you.
(TO EE CONTINUED.)
ARE MARVELS OF INGENUITY
Observations In the Garden Reveal
Really Remarkable Work Done
by Small Creatures.
There Is no better place thnn a gnr
den to study Insects. The dsrk-col-ored
beetle the oil-beetle may be olv
served, nnd ns soon ns the bees come
the Inrva of this beetle contrives to
get upon a bee's body, so ns to be cur
ried away to the bee's home, where II
feeds upon the food there, and eventu
ally leaves ns u perfect beetle.
Other kinds of beetles act ns grave
diggers j certuln ants keep a diary;
nnd there are musons, enrpenters, und
upholHterers"umong the bees. The inn-son-bee
constructs Its cell of mortar.
By dropping saliva on bits of earth
nnd mixing both together It pound
the mixture Into n sort of cement It
works this Into the shape of n mold.
Inside which the fcmnle deposits her
egg. Several such mortar cells nitty
often be found lying close together.
The carpenter-bee makes Its house
on decayed wood, and Hues It with
pl'ccs of lenves, which It cuts off In
the form of a circle, nnd adjusts n
skillfully that Its nest Is made water
tight without' nny coating. A verj
Ingeniously-constructed home is ulsi:
thnt of tho upholsterer-bee, which dex
terously cuts out the petals of tin
half-expanded llowcru of u poppy. 1 1
then strengthens the folds, nnd flt.
thetn so that n splendid tapestry over
liungs tho wulls of Its home in which
(ho honey Is deposited.
Error Mars Great Picture.
In lliu rotunda of the cupltol it
Washington there ure eight grout paint
lugs, carefully designed and executeil
by the urtlsta for the ndornment ol
the nation's greatest bulldtug. Yet five
of them ure either defective In tech
til que, or In error us to natural or his
torical facts.
One of the best-known pictures l
thnt in whicn Washington Is shown re
signing his commission to the contl
lientul congress, says the I'lilladelphlu
Record. There ure two girls, ulinos
life-size, standing in the foreground.
They are very pretty girls; but one of
them has three hands. One left band
rests on the shoulder of her Compnii
Ion. another left hand Is round her
companion's waist Doubtless the art
1st, Trumbull, puluted both hands to
see which pose he preferred, nnd then
forgot to pulut out the superlluout
hand.
Pawpaw's Many Uses.
Tho principal use of the pawpaw
says u writer In the Journal of Ilered
Ity, Is to cnt from the hand, but there
are other uses that it cnu be put to. It
makes splendid custard pie. There Is
no liner dessert than pawpaw enteu
with cream aud sugar. It Is used to
make beer the same as the persimmon
by putting th fruit In a Jar, mushing
It and putting water on It nnd letting
It alund until fermented. It nlso an
swers to make pudding Just the same
as persimmon' pudding Is made. It It
also said that brandy equal to peach
brandy Is mnde of pnwpuws. Murma
lade "which Is equal to that of pears oi
pouches may be mudo of pnwpaw. The
custard may be spread on a bourd and
dried like pumpkin leather. . '
Wasted Apology.
"I want to upologize, Blukeiy. for my
rudeness hist evening. 1 unsure you
1 didn't Intend It" "Well, for tho love
of Mike, meun It next time I 1 hate to
we man's notions nnd ins Inteutloui
hunnonizH so poorly." judge.
I
ft
IF
ERENGE
THE lESTi
The Western Canada Farm Prr.
its Are Away in Excess.
Mr. George H. Barr, of Iowa,
seven sections of land In Saskat'
wan. These be has fenced and J
ed, either for pasture or cultlviuJ
all paying good interest on the 1W
ment -
Mr. Barr saya that farm land J
home In Iowa Is held at $150 per tcj
These hinds are In a high state of s
tlvatlon, with splendid improvetW
In houses, barns, stables and silos, i!
yet the revenue returns from llieni tr
only from two to three per cent
annum on Investment I
Last year, 1913, his half share J
crop on a quarter section In StiskntcW
wan, wheat on new breaking, gavel
85 per cent on the capital Investtd
$25.00 an acre. The crop yield
85 bushels per acre. This yean
same quarter-section, sown to E
Fife on stubble gave 3,280 bushels.
share, 1,043 bushels of 1 Nort'iert)
$1.50 per bushel, gave him $2,SCi
Seed, half the twine and hulf
threshing bill cost him $453.00. AIV
Ing a share of the expense of LU J
nual Inspection trip, charged to t
quarter-section even to $110.00, anil
has left $2,000.00, that Is 50 per
of the originnl cost of the land, id
one can figure up that another itf
age crop will puy, not 2 or 3 per trf
on Investment, as In Iowa, but u
total price of the land. Mr. Burr ui
"That's no Joke now."
Mr. Burr was Instrumental In brt
Ing a number of farmers from low
Saskatchewan In 1013. He referral
aha tl.nm fiAn It TTnrfnn a t.. .
farmer In Iowa, lie bought a quar.i
section of improved land at $.'12.00
acre near Hnnley. From proceeds
crop In 1914, 1015, 1910, he lias
for the Innd. Mr. Bnrr asked hln
week ago : "Well, George, what t!
I tell friends down home for j
The reply was: "Tell them Iitf
never go back to be a tenant for uj
man." Another man, Charles IlaljsC
realized $18,000 In cash for his
crops In 1915 and 1916.
Mr. Bnrr when at home den
most of his time to raising and &l
lag In live stock. On his first visit
Inspection to Saskatchewan, he r
lzed the opportunity there wns h
,,! nrnr.lnir rattle. So his oiiar.i
wi I
sections, not occupied, were fee
and rented ns pasture lands to fcf
ers ndjolnlng. Ills creed is: "Leti
ture supply the feed all summer
cattle are growing, nnd then in i
fall, take them to farmsteads to
finished for market. There Is hoh
In It" Advertisement
Good Old Patrons.
Willis Do you think a knowlc;
of the Bible Is necessary for a t.
ncssmnn. nowadays?
Glllls Yes, Indeed ; Jgnornnce om
cost Bump, the mull order mnn, il
area last wecu. Home ienow coim.
lot of nntnes out of Chronicles uml
It to Bump ns a mailing list and C3
sent out circulars of bis new
razor to half a hundred patrlnrd-
the Old Testament before he got rt
Judge.
IS CHILD CROSS
Look, Mother! if tongue
- coated, give "California
Syrup of Figs."
Children love this "fruit laxtUt
and nothing else cleanses the t(
stoinneh. liver nnd bowels so DlCfJ!
A child simply will not stop fM
to eraDtv the bowels, and the resu
they become tlchtly clogge
wns to. liver rets slucrfsh. Stotof
sours, then your little one bm
cross, half-sick, feverish, dontj
sleep or act naturally, breath U
SJBICIU 1UI1 VL UIU, fills ow.w i
stomach-ache or dlnrrhca. V-
Mother! See If tongue is coated, i
give a teaspoonful of "Cam
Syrup of Figs," and In a few now
tho constlpnted wnste, sour bile"
nndl crested food nasses out of the!
tem, and you hove a well child if
Millions of mothers clve "Call't
Syrup of Figs" because It Is Vn
harmless ; children love It, and " 1
er falls to act on the stomach, lv
and bowels.
ak& ti uie moiu ioi a ,
of "California Syrup of Figs." H
hns full directions for babies, cbR
alt fittAsi and st iWAwn-linH
printed on the bottle. Adv.
Masculine Form.
"What Is a hunch?"
"A hunch Is tho mnscullne 1!
lent of feminine Intuition."
Whenever You Need a General
Take Grove's
The Old Standard Grove'i T'
chill Tonic it equally valuable
known tonic Dronerti ot OUININ'
IRON. It acts on the Liver. Drirf
Malaria, Enriches the Blood ana
Op the Whole System. SO cents.
Joe Arnold of Weatherford,
raised a watermelon that wele"6"
pounds.
Allan's Fnnt.Ffl!fl fnr fflfl TfC
nilWII V I WI ftatiVV IVI '
Uany war ions hoapiuli bare ordert'j
Foot Sum,, tba antleplW pow) J
among to troops. qbakii Into ins - jj
prtnkled tn tbe foot-bath, Allen'a rj"J
giTea real ana coanort, inn mu' -
dallgbt. BoldewywbaraSSo. Try U tod"
Translated.
"Mnybelle used a lot of nmkfrf
her face." ,
"Now I shall cnll It make-out
Tr. TtfrTt "Potd 8hot" la P"'H1'.'
prompt but fa. One doe only " J
o expol worm' or Tapworm. -
ill wcFltirr, AAV.
1
American cloves are In di'i'11"1"
'Jumt. ,
FEVERISH, S