Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1916-11-28

salu Marie. captain Hardy has been
shot"
'Shot?" cried Vandervyn.
1.-THE bullet grazed the bone above
the temple. Had it been half an inch
lower or farther back. it must have
killed him."
Half an inch" repeated Vandervyn.
His face crimsoned, and the veins of
his forehead began to swell where
is the fellow? Did he get away? How
long ago was it? Loan me the mare
Hardy. I'll run him down..
Every good of you to Offer" said
Hardy. But the rascal might ambush
you. Wen order out a squad of po-
lice. Besides, 1 wish your report on
your trip. 1 presume Redbear is at
the agency"
mo" Vandervyn turned a scowling
face towards the butte, as if Gngrily
eager to be off in pursuit of the would
be assassin. Charlie went back to
Thunderbolt's camp to see if his sis
ter was getting along all right with
the old chief. | told him that if he was
welcomed, he had better stay few
days. If he and the girl make them
selves agreeable, we shall have bet
ter chance to quiet the tribe"
You found conditions still unfavor-
able?"
Eyes. All the chiefs took a violent
dislike to you; and they had stirred up
the whole tribe. Charlie and l talked
and talked. You know a white man
can talk Indians into anything, if he
keeps at it,
what result?" snapped Hardy.
Vandervyn shrugged. 81 know we
made some impression, especially on
old Thunderbolt. The chiefs no doubt
would be willing to let you visit the
camps on safe conduct, so to speak ;
but doubt if they could keep the wild
est of the young bucks in hand. This
shooting proves it. l tell you, captain,
none of US here would think any the
less of you if you cut the whole bust
ness"
81 shall start for the mountains to-
morrow"
Tomorrow" demonstrated Marie.
your wound-you must wait at least
until it has begun to heal. And in the
meantime Redbear and Oinna will be
talking Ti-owa-konza and his camp into
"a milder mood"
"That last is a most excellent argu-
ment," said Hardy, and his firmly
compressed lips curved in a smile az
the girl. 81 shall take your advice,
Miss Dupont"
Vandervyn had frowned over the
concern in Marie's voice. Hardy's re-
Spouse started the veins of his fore
head swelling. He looked off away
from the two, and remarked in a cas-
| ual voice: "I'll ride in ahead and or
der out a squad of policemen to track
down the scoundrel. Jake can inter
pref, if I'm unable to make them un-
| derstand."
Good" said Hardy.
Vandervyn shot at Marie glance of
| jealous anger, and put spurs to his
pinto. But when they reached the
valley and saw through the glasses the
squad of police only just leaving the
agency, Marie conjectured that the
| jaded pinto had slowed to a walk
while going up the valley.
| At last Marie and Hardy reached the
| agency. With the assistance of Van
dervyn, who came out of the Dupont
house to meet them, he was helped
down from his mare to cot in the
| shady porch. Here in the open air
Marie washed the wound and took sew
eral stitches to draw the edges to-
gether.
During the operation, which Hardy
endured without groan, Vandervyn
stood by, watching Maries face with
sullen jealousy. The moment she had
rebandaged the wound, he suggested
that it would be well to leave Hardy
! quiet In reply she asked him to go
for ice. When he returned, he found
Hardy had fallen asleep. She rose
and went into the house. and Wander
vyn followed her.
| The young man made no attempt to
conceal his anger. He closed the par
lor door and turned upon her accus-
ingly. so that's what you've been up
to all the time I've been away?"
up to what, pray?"
! "Coquetting with that old fossil of a
tin soldier"
Am 1 not dutiful daughter?" the
girl parted. Mon pere said l must
I To hn ~
He did,"
| "Why not go and ask him, if you
doubt what l say?"
81 don't. That's just it-damn 1t
ALL"
| The girls eyes flashed with resent
ment, but her voice was sweetly mock
ing: "Oh, Mr.. vandervyn, how can
you? Captain Hardy never swore once
during all our delightful rides"
you've been riding with him every
day?"
IAN except one. I've been sorry
ever since that missed that one. He
was invariably courteous. He is a
/ gentleman"
/ You infer that ] am mott" ex-
/ claimed Vandervyn. $50 he's courteous
and smooth and slick, is he? One
might know that you've been raised
in the backwoods."
"You forget l spent four years at
the capital of Canada"
sin convent No wonder you've
let him play you"
The girl met the jeer with a tantaliz-
| ing smile.
! 1T has been a most amusing game.
He treats me with as much respect as
if We're young lacy of his own SET
There's no one else here for him TO
| flirt with"
THAT is an advantage. is ii notT
The girl dropped into her English man.
ner. Il dareSay he will forget me as
soon as he gets back TO civilization
unless decide TO accept his proposal.
| Vardervyn stared at her cynically.
You needn't try TO rag me, Marie.