Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1916-12-12

I TAIN, ne confirmed. Il intend to list
the claimants and the amount due
| them at the council tomorrow. Mel
Their Jake nor l can afford to settle
with them out of hand. But Jake
viii allow them part paymen. in trade
goods, and we shall make other pay
ments as fast as we get returns from
our next ore shipments"
Very good" agreed Hardy. "You
are to understand, however, that the
tribe must voluntarily bring the ore
to the reservation boundary and there
sell it to you. Have you considered
the risk of the public surmising the
existence of the mine from the ore
shipments?"
No chance of that" explained Du-
pont. "Nogen let it out that he got
the ore from a prospect in the noun
| tains clean back across the other
| boundary of the reservation, and he
showed around smelter report of a
| shipment of ore that we'd doctored
with barren rock SOS it just paid out
| expenses"
| Hardy did not smile. He returned
| gravely to Marie. "In view of the
general agreement, Miss Dupont, may
| l hope that you"
| "You may not, Captain Hardy" she
ungraciously interrupted. ''You in
suited my father. He and / shall at
once leave for home"
Dupont looked to Vandervyn, and
received sign to acquiesce.
Don't want to leave you in the
lurch, Cap" he said, "but if Marie's
set on going, guess I'll have to-"
"Tell four of the police they are
| detailed to escort yourself and Miss
Dupont back to the agency" ordered
Hardy. He raised his hat to Marie.
Permit me to wish you a pleasant
journey"
The girl turned away without reply
| ing. Hardy stood for a moment cool
and still under Vandervyn's exultant
smile; then faced about and steadily
walked off along the mountain ter
race.
| He did not return to the cabin I'M
til the greater number of the saddle
and pack ponies had been brought up
from the valley and the returning
party had mounted and ridden away
on the back trail. Vandervyn started
off with them, and Hardy's keen, hazel
eyes dimmed as, leaning against a
gnarled pine on the slope above, he
watched the lovers ride away, side
by side.
Angered at himself for his momen-
| tary weakness, he sprang down the
lodges to the terrace, and fastened
| back to talk with Redbear. He was
met at the cabin door by Oinna, who
placed a finger on her lips and whis-
pered that her brother had at last
fallen asleep.
| Hardy withdrew to the shady side
of the cabin, where he sat down on his
saddle and began drafting a list of in
structions for the tribal delegates to
Washington. He was still writing
them when, shortly before nightfall,
Vandervyn came jogging back to the
mine. He had had a delightful ride
with Marie, and he complacently init
mated the fact to Hardy.
In the midst of this subtle torment
| ing of his rival, Oinna came out to
serve the supper that she had cooked
| in the cabin. Vandervyn abruptly
changed the subject, and began to talk
about the council next day. Hardy
| gave no sign that he observed this
sudden break or the furtive, adoring
glances that the girl bestowed on Van
dervyn as she glided softly to and fro.
The night came on, clear and still.
AS they pulled at their after-supper
pipes, Vandervyn suggested that, out
of consideration for the young woman,
they roll up in their blankets outside
the cabin. To this Hardy made no OBJ
lection. They picked out soft spot
matted with fallen pine needles, under
low-growing tree, and soon both
were seemingly fast asleep.
After several minutes Vandervyn
spoke to his companion in a low tone
Hardy did not answer. Vandervyn
drew out his pipe and struck a match.
He held the flame above Hardy's face.
The eyes were closed and the severe,
half-melancholy expression of the
harsh features was relaxed as if in
heavy slumber
Vandervyn extinguished the match,
and slipped out of his blankets. Noise
lessly he crept down to the cabin
and around to the ,ioor. 1t was barred
on the inside. He tapped on it,
There was a sliding sound within
the cabin and the heavy door began
TO swing inward. Vandervyn put his
foot on the threshold to enter. AT
the same moment a sinewy hand
gripped his shoulder and jerked him
away. He cursed, and clapped his
hand to his holster as he whirled
about. 1t was empty. He bent for
ward to spring at the dark form in
the half-open doorway.
Stand back" came the stern COM
mand. Il have your revolver Oinna,
close the door,"
The door swung shut. In the tense
silence the rattle of the bar as it shot
back into its socket was distinct Van
dervyn's teeth ground together.
you - straight-laced prigr' he
choked out. Get away from here
I'm going in"
Suppose do not choose to give it,"
Then l will protect her by ordering
you to leave The reservation as fast
as you can travel"
81 see" tainted Vandervyn. You
want TO get rid of me. so you can have
clear sailing With Marie. You're
great one TO spout about honor
You'll go and blat TO her about this"
You know very web / cannot do
that. Yet if you refuse to give me
your word, 1 shall feel justified in
telling Dupont my reason for ordering
you of, the reservation"
Yandervtn burst into a cynical
laugh. do you think Jake's the sort