Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1916-12-26

the coulee TO take the road back TO
the agency.
Il believe I understand. and I do
| not altogether like it, replied Hardy.
The fellow probably is right in think
ing that undue influence is being ex-
erted to give as little publicity as DOS
sible to the opening of the mineral
lands to entry"
| DO you really think so? OF course
IL is not right Yet where is the
harm? These men have been enter
| prlsing enough to seize the opportu-
NIFTY, and they deserve the chances of
good fortune"
The transaction has rather too
much the appearance of prearranged
scheme" replied Hardy. His thought
full face darkened with the shadow of
anxiety. IF / could be sure that it
would bring only good fortune to you %
The profound tenderness and con-
Germ in his voice seemed to startle
Marie. She leaned forward, and put
her pony into a gallop.
| The day before, Immediately upon
receipt of the official statement from
Washington, Hardy had sent a messen
ger to notify Ti-owa-konza. Two DAYS
later the head chief came with all his
large family, including Oinna. Marie
| insisted that the girl should come to
stay with her until the return of Red
bear, and Immediately fitted out the
girl with good dresses from her own
wardrobe. When Hardy spoke of her
generosity, she smiled and shrugged.
1T is little enough to do for any
one, captain. was tired of those old
gowns. Anyway, as a quarterbreed, /
owe 1t to my own self-respect to keep
halfbreed girl from going around like
full-blood woman"
Her brother win be greatly
| pleased"
Il had no thought of him. He is
rather worthless fellow. 1t is strange
to me how proud Oinna is of him. She
says nothing, but one can see that
she is in fever OF joyous excitement
over the prospect of his return"
Hardy frowned. parted his lips to
speak, and thought better of it.
You were going to say" OBJ
served Marie.
| Something that must be left unsaid.
if you will pardon me-" he replied, and
he shifted the conversation to the
question of accommodations for the
commissioners.
| The arrival of the commissioners
early in the afternoon of the following
day would have taken the agency by
surprise if Hardy had not posted a
lookout on the signal mountain. The
prearranged smoke-sign gave warning
of the approach of the party while
it was yet many miles away over
the plains. Even at that, Hardy
and Marie and Dupont were not
quite ready to greet the visitors
when they came into view down the
valley The explanation of their quick
trip from the railroad at once became
evident. Commissioners, Indian dele
gates and all We're slowed In two
large touring cars.
Vandervyn was driving the foremost
! car. He brought it up the slope of the
agency terrace with a rush, and spun
it around in curve that ended before
the porch of the Dupont house. The
second car rolled straight on across
the terrace to the tepee of Ti-owa-
konza.
1 n 20 rYAe 80
across to the office, paused in the
porch TO welcome the commissioners,
Dupont hurried out of the rear door
way OF his store. Marie, after a slight
bow In acknowledgment Of Wander
vyn's respectful salute, quietly drew
back into her parlor.
| In the front seat beside Vandervyn
was a big, red-faced man, whose
bleared eyes Immediately began to
scrutinize Hardy, and as quickly
turned away when they met his clear
gaze. The five men in the tonneau all
had the look of certain kind of poll
| tician, and all met Hardys cordial
greeting with a cold formality that
would have chilled even place-hunter.
Put upon his dignity by this unex-
pected rebuff, the captain drew back
into the porch. Dupont received a
more pleasant response to his bluff
welcome. He jerked open the door of
| the tonneau, and offered his hand TO
each of the commissioners in turn as
! they stepped stiffiy out into the porch.
MY friend Jake Dupont, gentle
men," said Vandervyn.
Every member of the party ct once
smiled upon the trader, and shook
hands with him. Most cordial of all
was the big man who had SAL in the
front seat.
Marie now stepped out TO greet the
visitors, and was formally introduced
| by Vandervyn. With gracious COM
posture that would have done credit
to the most exclusive of drawing
rooms. she welcomed the visitors, and
invited them to luncheon.
The most portly member of the COM
mission promptly accepted the invita-
tion on behalf of himself and his COM
panfons, and the party followed their
4 AOShSSS AAAet ktatVA- y II
fingered moment to favor Hardy With
a smile of ironical coincidence.
''Chesty lot, these lame ducks !" he
said. But they stand in with the big
fellows. They had the cars shipped
out from Chicago TO accommodate
them. Better snuggle up on their
warm side What. not going. surely?
YOU must come in TO lunch and show
US how tactful Il tactician can be-"
Thanks. no." replied Hardy. ''Fil
ask you kindly to excuse me TO Miss
Dupont. The commissioners may find
me at the office at any time that suits
them"
Vandervyn shrugged and went In
doors, his smile trifie forced. He at
once joined his party in their eager
acceptance of Dupont's most cordial
expression of hospitality, his eight,
| year-old whisky. Marie had excused
4 y, Tlx-f H,s,~ ~.