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

vandervyn's Redeemed face went
crimson. The veins of his forehead be-
gan to swell. But with 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:
II 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
Ii 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 a
small cabin among the quaking asps
In the mile-wide curve Of the stream to
the left.
4
| 'Looks well built" remarked Hardy,
his fieidglasses at his eyes. "Quitc
new, see. You have still to put dirt
ON this corner of the roof"
"And to put a squaw inside" added
Vandervyn.
The halfbreed's jaw muscles
twitched, but he did not look away
from Hardy. II got a letter from my
sister Oinna. She says she can't stay
ut school. She says she will die IL they
make her stay at school. / want her
to come and cook for me till get mar
ried."
"How old is she?"
"More than seventeen. She Is sick to
come. She says she will die"
every well. But you must take good
care of her until she is married"
Eyes, sir. I've got lot of money"
replied the halfbreed, with the prone
ness of a weak nature to boast. "rve
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 circle Of hills
larger and far more picturesque than
the Catskills. Sioux creek swiried out
Of a canyon at the far end, to meander
down a winding channel fringed with
bushes and aspens and other small
trees.
On a natural terrace, or "beneh," two
miles up, the glasses showed the log
buildings at the agency. Midwsy down
to Redbear's 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: swell, what do you think
of it2 Talk about Siberian exile! Tha,
is the Dupont place over here"
Hardy glanced at the large double
cabin hundred yards Off to the right
Of the road. The broad front porch
gave 1t homelike appearance. The
two cabins before him were very small
Beyond them stood the big agency
warehouse. Its overhanging upper
story showed that 1t had been built for
use as a blockhouse, but the many
: windows had rendered It less defens.
ible than one Of the cabins. The only
persons in sight were the two Indian
police who had been left In charge by
Redbear.
"Well?" repeated Vandervyn.
"Not an easy place to defend" said
Hardy. ''Where is the Office and the
guardhorseY'
'The Office Is In the near front cor
ner OF the warehouse. The police quar-
tiers are In the other end. You see the
white tepees over there across the
J creek7 Most Of the relations of the
police camp aear the agency. This
first cabin Is Nogen's-yours. should
, say. The second IL NINE"
"Your quarters7 May I ask you fol
: a bite Of lunch as soon as ! have
, rubbed down my marer
II board with the Duponts, l~1 / car
, scare up cold lunch" said vandervyn
As they dismounted, Redbear came
: up and successfully curried favor witt
3 the new agent by offering to curry bis
mare. He led her away to the low
( brush stable beyond the warehouse
After lunch. though still weary from
;. his long ride, Hardy put In the rest Of
the day inspecting the agency propert,
: and examining the accounts of the two
clerks. With the exception OF two OF
( three small items on Redbear's books
e everything checked accurately.
e vandervyn brought bacon. coffee
crackers and canned food. and the new
= agent cooked supper with the skill o.
e an old campaigner. After they hat
eaten, the chief clerk produced cignr.
e I'm anticipation Of social evening. Ku
0 Hardy was 30 drowsy that he asked Il
? be excused. The moment he was alone
. he laid his rife and automatic pisto