Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-12-28

AaS AASC unTA Win NuSptClOu.
"What you saying 10 my sistcri" no
deE.anded.
The white man met his threatening
look with Z half-contemptuous, half
amused smile.
Eve been showing the Eirl what I
think Of her." no replied.
Redbear came to 4 sudden halt. The
muscles Of his face began 70 witch.
'Oh. Charliel'' reproachsd CHINA.
'WhAt makes ron look at him that
wayf Why don't you thank himt'
Shs unbarred the door and stepped
outside.
"For whatf" questioned her brother
In harsh. strained voice.
because he Ia going to be my man
going to take me for his wife"
'Marry youf Oinna-y0uT The
halfbreed could not believe his ears.
Through bis daxe shot 4 flash Of angry
suspicion. "But you-you won't marry
herr
vandervyn smiled In his careless
manner.
''Oh, I guess yes"
"Youll marry herf You'll take her
to town and marry her like white
people1"
"I'll marry her az some white
people marry. I'll not take her to
town. Oinna and I have agreed TO be
married according to tribnl custom"
Again Redbear's weak face dark
ened with suspicion and anger. Il
won't have 1t. You're white. and Olnna
IL half white. White people don't
marry Indian fashion"
"You know a lot about II, Charlie.
Haven't you ever heard OF common-law
marriages7 Lots OF white people get
married that way"
"What wayT'
~You must know about Il. Instead
Of going 70 lot OF fuss and bother
over ministers and licenses, many
people just take each other for hus-
band and wife and 60 to housekeep-
Ing"
"Is-is that a real white peoples
marriagef" asked Oinna.
vandervyn frowned. sYou don't
think I'm lying. do youf Why. you
often see In the newspapers about COM
mon-law wives getting their share Of
their dead husbands estates. lust the
same as II they had gone through all
the fuss OF weddings. Ask Hardy II
that does not often happen"
"Well, X It's q real MARRIAGE
muttered Redbcar.
"Of course II In, Charlie, II he says
sow cried Oinna rapturously.
Her brothers face giowed with sud.
den unconcealed exultance. He stam-
mered almost incoherentiy: "Then
you--Marie--you don't marry--don't
marry Marie"
NO." replied vandervyn, and his
voice rang clear. II have no intention
Of marrying her."
"Maybe Marie'll like me now, when
tell her you are going to be my
brother" sighed Redbear.
vandervyn laid brotherly hand on
his shoulder. "Hold on. boyF' he said.
"You let me manage things. You
know that Marie thinks she likes me.
But now Hardy Ia here, and he wants
her. II she hears that have thrown
her over. she will run OF with him."
"She don't like him."
"What II she doesn'ti He's an army
officer. He has money. and when he
goes from here he will wear his uni
form, all gilt and spangles. You know
how the girls like that. Mo- tell
you there's not the ghost Of q show
for you until he Ii out Of the way. Our
little blur didn't work. He says he ia
going to stay. So for while you and
Oinna must keep still about the mar
rage. Tomorrow morning you and
are going into the mountains to talk
with the chiefs. Oinna will 20 with
me. But 1t must be understood at the
agency that you have sent her to
Who could you send her tor
"Ti-owa-konza Is our mothers ia
ther. Not even Mr.. Dupont knows
that" said Redbear. Before he came
here. she ran of with bad white man.
They went to the Blackfeet. After
time he got an arrow through his back.
My mother came home. Ti-owa.konza
would not see her face. She had to
work for the agent till they made us
go away to school. Then she died"
"Old Thunderbolt your grandfather7'
remarked Vandervyn. Selling upon that
one fact In the squalid tragedy. "Does
he know it,"
Il told him 80 today. He said my
face But maybe he will come to
like me. He said to bring Oinna for
him to look at her."
That's great! Wen tell 1t to every
body. But remember, not word about
the marriage until after we get rid OF
Hardy and / am agent. Then things
will 60 all right for all of US. You
savvy that, CharlIe7 While you rub
down the mare I'll 90 In and say good
by until tomorrow morning"
CHAPTER VII.