Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-12-14

/ Vandervyn's Redeemed face went
crimson. The veins of his forehead he
gan to swell. But with a strong effort
he repressed his anger and forced a
smile. "You went me one better. Hardy.
I throw down."
! The officer responded with instant
sympathy:
4 Il see no reason why we should not
become friends and work together for
the good of the tribe"
"It's Co." agreed Vandervyn, and as
IL cleared Of all Ill temper by his out
burst, he began a lively conversation
on official society In the national CAPT.
tai
The party topped the rise between
the river and Sioux creek, and rode
down the winding road that skirted Its
willow-fringed bank to the crossing Of
the stream. AS they rounded the spur
ridge on the far side, Redbear rode up
on Hardy's right, and pointed to
small cabin among the quaking asps
In the mile-wide curve of the stream to
the left.
"See my house, SIR" he said.
"Looks well built" remarked Hardy,
his tieldglasses at his eyes. "Quite
new. see. You have still to put dirt
on this corner of the roof"
sand to put a squaw inside" added
Vandervyn.
The haifbreed's jaw muscles
twitched. but he did not look away
from Hardy. II got letter from my
sister Oinna. She says she can't stay
at school. She says she will die If they
make her stay at school. i want her
to come and cook for me till get mar
RED"
"How old is she?"
"More than seventeen. She Is sick to
come. She says she will die"
'Very well. But you must take good
care of her until she Is married"
eyes, sir. I've got a lot of money"
replied the halfbreed, with the prone
ness of a weak nature to boast. 1--WE
got almost"
Almost enough to buy you two
squaws," cut in Vandervyn.
Redbear started to speak, caught the
others eye, and refined In his pony.
Hardy did not notice this. They had
rounded the toe Of the spur ridge, and
he was gazing up the green valley that
lay outstretched in a circle Of hills
larger and far more picturesque than
the Catskills. Sioux creek swirled out
Of canyon at the far end, to meander
down a winding channel fringed with
bushes and aspens and other small
trees.
On natural terrace, or "bench," two
miles up, the glasses showed the log
buildings at the agency. Midwsy down
to Redbears cabin but across the creek
was large post-and-rail corral. Van
dervyn had resumed with zest his talk
about the social gaieties Of which he
had been deprived for half a year.
Hardy said little, but his eye was busy
taking In the natural features Of the
beautiful valley.
When they came to the slope of the
bench, or terrace, Vandervyn noticed
the intent look Of his companion, and
> inquired: "Well, what do you think
t of 1t? Talk about Siberian exile! That
' is the Dupont place over here"
] Hardy glanced at the large double
] cabin a hundred yards Off to the right
{ Of the road. The broad front porch
gave 1t a homelike appearance. The
j two cabins before him were very small
!. Beyond them stood the big agency
l warehouse. Its overhanging upper
: story showed that 1t had been built fol
] use as a blockhouse, but the many
windows had rendered 1t less defens
!, ible than one of the cabins. The only
' persons in sight were the two Indian
1 police who had been left In charge by
{ Redbear.
"Well?" repeated vandervyn.
"Not an easy place to defend" sait
= Hardy. "Where Is the Office and tht
v guardhouseT
9 '.The Office Is In the near front cor
Il ner Of the warehouse. The police quar-
s tiers are In the other end. You see tht
{ white tepees over there across ths
s creek? Most Of the relations Of thu
t police camp lear the agency. This
s first cabin Ii Nogen's-yours. ! SHOULD
G say. The second is mine"
p "Your quarters1 May ask you fol
+ a bite OF lunch as soon as I have
o rubbed down my marer'
II board with the Duponts, bwt car
e scare up cold lunch" said Vandervyn
As they disnounted. Redbear cam.
e up and successfully curried favor witt
8 the new agent by offering to curry hi
mare. He led her away to the tov
II brush stable beyond the warehouse
After lunch, thcagh still weary from
'. his long ride. Hardy put In the rest O
the day inspecting the agency propert.
J. and examining the accounts of the tw'
D clerks. With the exception OF two O
II three small items on Redbear's books
le everything checked accurately.
e vandervyn brought bacon, coffee
crackers and canned food. and the new
r. agent cooked supper with the skill o
70 an old campaigner. After they hat
eaten. the chief clerk produced cigar
re I'm anticipation of social evening. Bu
10 Hardy was 30 drowsy that he asked T.
81 be excused. The moment he was alone
rs he laid his rife and automatic pisto
49, b,1ry- hlaxy, ont fha 11ip Ant