Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1916-12-19

| tatingly interpreted by Redbear, and
| the chiefs, who knew by experience
that most agency papers were signed
in duplicate, made their crosses and
| thumb-prints as fast as Vandervyn
wrote their names on the two papers.
Olnna ventured to whisper to her
brother that the papers did not look
alike. He hastily repeated the remark
to Vandervyn. The girl cringed close
to her grandfather. But Vandervyn
showed no anger. He smiled at her
in a manner that brought a blissfuI
glow into her soft eyes, and explained
That one paper gave the proceedings
OF the council in full, while the other
| consisted of brief notes. He then MUIR
INJURED to her something that at first
brought shadow into her joyous face,
but in the end left her radiant with
happiness.
When the leading men of the tribe
had signed the papers and Redbear
ana Oinna had attested as witnesses,
Vandervyn thrust the documents into
his pocket and went to reioin Hardy,
AS he handed over the paper that
Hardy had signed, he remarked that,
II there was no objection, Redbear
and his sister would remain in the
mountains with their grandfather un-
til word should be received from the
government for the tribal delegation
to come on to Washington.
"YOu are ready to return to the
agency with me?" asked Hardy.
I'VE can start at once, if you WISH -
assented Vandervyn.
VERY WELL" said Hardy. "The girl
shall remain here, and you will come
with me-"
Vandervyn shrugged, smiled good
humoredly, and vaulted into his sad
die.
Still doubtful of his companion,
Hardy took the ponies of Redbear and
Oinna in lead. and rode over to where
the brother and sister stood in the
midst of their grandfather's immedi-
ate family. When the girl confirmed
Vandervyn's statement that she wished
to remain in the noun tains, he took
ceremOniOus leave of the noble old
chief, and rode off to rejoin his party.
During the brief interval Wander
vyn's gay humOr had disappeared. He
met Hardy with frown, and held out
one of the letters that he had written
that morning. Seeing that it was adj
dressed to himself, Hardy tore open
the envelope and read the brief note
within.
49," he said, fixing the younger
man with a level glance, your res
ignatiOn-to take effect at once. 1t is
dated yesterday"
at would have been dated and pre-
sented q week ago if I'd had the
slightest idea you were going to insult
me as you did yesterday" Vandervyn
burst out angrily. you'd have had it
on the spot if could have brought my
self to borrow your pen and paper"
Il see" said Hardy. He reflected a
moment, and remarked: ''There seems
to be no reason why I should not ac-
cept your resignation, if you insist
upon my acting on it,
Il do" said Vandervyn. "Pve had
enough of your bullying. I'm a free
man nowEnot your clerk
you will change your tone, sir, if
you wish to ride in my company" said
Hardy, with a cool Self-control that
checked the others anger.
"Gadi if only you weren't such a
self-righteous prig!" exclaimed the
younger man. You're so sure yon
can show cards and spades to the an
gels! I'm out for the good things of
life, and make no bones over it. But
that doesn't prevent me from being a
blooming benefactor as well. If you
wish TO know the real reason why Pm
reSigning. it's because 1 have planned
to go on to Washington with the dele
CATION, and pull wires TO get the tribe
big slice of graft for their mineral
lands"
Hardy saw the frank. sincerity in his
companions eyes, and responded TO
the assertion with an instant apology i:
MIR. Vandervyn, 1 beg your pardon
for misjudging you. At times your
conduct has been ill-advised, but 1
no longer doubt your good intentions"
1T takes an officer and gentleman to
eat crow as if it were quail ]" rallied
Vandervyn with seemingly genial sar-
casm. do understand that my res
ignathoD is accepted?"
IF you insist"
II do. Now that is settled. We
make the return trip as equals" said
Vandervyn, and. as if freed from all
rancor by the thought, he fell into a
mood of suave gayety.