Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1916-12-29

II did," said Hardy, and he smiled.
"Thanks to Miss Oinna, I was able to
make myself better understood than
when her brother acted as interpre-
ter I have reason to believe that he
wilfully misstated what / said to the
Chiefs
by Carr swore Dupont. "That old
Thunderbolt is deep one. Just like
him to try to throw you off the track
by laying it all on Charlie
"I'm not SO sure of that, Jake" broke
in Vandervyn. you remember, Char
lie was scared stiff. He may nave be-
come muddled.'
'We-ell, mebbe that had part to do
with it. Just the same, you can't tell
me the whole tribe amt sore. Look
at the way they've twice tried to git
Cap-and potting Charlie last night.
"Charlie?' gasped Oinna. "You say
oh, Mr.. Dupont, he's not-not--'
"No-buck up" brusquely replied
Vanderyyn. Gle was only nipped
through the arm. He will be all right
in a few days"
"All right? O-o-oh, thank you!"
sighed the girl.
In the stress Of the moment she for
got that they were not alone. She held
out her arms to him and looked up
into his face, her soft eyes beaming
with love and alteration.
He froWned, and his voice grated
with harshness: Don't be fool He's
in the cabin. Miss Dupont is taking
me-
Tears gushed into the girls eyes.
She dropped her head and skunk away
as if Vanderyyn had struck her.
Hardy's face became like iron.
"NIr. Vandervyn," he admonished,
''do not let me again hear you speak
to any woman in that tone"
Vandervyn shrugged. THE chlval-
rous chevalier! Have it your own
way. Now L suppose you'll go in and
worry her and rag Charlie into q fever
about balling UP his Interpretation at
the council"
CAS- for that" began Hardy. He
stopped short and raised his hat.
Marie had come out of the cabin,
and was Fastening forward to greet
him, her beautiful face radiant.
"Captain!" she called. you're mere
| really here, safe and unhurt!'
Thanks to Miss Redbear," replied
Hardy.
"But how could Oinna-surely she
did not help you escape the murder
er:''
"No. 1t was easy enough to di,lcdge
the fellow The difficulty was to track
him among those rocks. Soon lost him
and myself also
ard he escaped to shoot Charlie
the wolf! The poor boy was tracking
a deer over on the ridge half Il mile
or SO this way
"AIl's we'll that ends Well." Hardy
assured her. "L'm here. unhUrt, 2S
you see; Redbear, 1 understand, has
only slight wound; and the old chief
now knows that L am 4 friend OF the
tribe. He will call council to meet
us mere tomorrow
ga council--Iere" queried Wander
vyn.
why not?' demanded Hardy, fix
ing him with his keen glance. Gould
there be more suitable place for a
tribal council than at the mine which
has been the source of all the recent
trouble On this reservati0n?"
Nom dun chien!' muttered Du-
pOnt. "What's that breed girl gone
and blabbed?'
Nothing" rejoined Hardy. "She
has done no more than interpret be-
| tween the head chief and myself. [
have learned all about Nogen's dishOn-
esty and his harshness to the tribe.
1t is well that you and Mr.. Vandervyn
tried to induce him to be more just,
else 1 should order you both off the
reservation for lying to me-
Lying? What d'yOu mean by tEat"
clustered Dupont.
1.-THE word is explicit" said Hardy.
EAR. Vanderyyn, take your hand from
your holster. Miss Dupont, I regret
the necessity of making this reprimand
| in your presence"
The girls eyes were ablaze with in
dignant anger. Regret is q mild ex-
clse for insulting my father, sir!''
"You add to my regret. Yet. as act
| ing agent, it is my duty to censure
your father and MIR. VanderVyn for de-
ceiving me. Had they told me about
| Nogen's malfeasance-his blocking OF
the new treaty and compelling the IN
dams to work the mine without pay"
Gle did that?" Marie questioned her
| father.
"Well, me and Mr.. Van done all we
could to git him to pay 'em," mumbled
Dupont.
"Of course But he did not think
him SO meant" The girls eyes blazed
and her nostriis dilated. $50 that was
why he was shot? / don't blame the
man who did it could have done it
myself! The thief = Reggie, if only
you had let the killer escaped"
"COuldn't,'' tersely replied Wander
vyn. ''He was blood-mad-would have
| NJ, Il -