Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1916-11-24

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,
throw down."
The officer responded with Instant
| sympathy:
Il see no reason why we should not
become~friends and work together for
the good of the tribe"
Its a co. agreed Vandervyn, and as
If cleared Of all i'll temper by his out
burst, he began a lively conversation
on official society in the national capi-
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.
"See my house, sir" he said. Y
Looks well built" remarked Hardy,
his feldglasses at his eyes. quite
new, see. You have still to put dirt
on this corner Of the roof"
'sAnd to put squaw inside added
Vandervyn.
The halfbreed'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 IL they
make her stay at school. want her
to come and cook for me till get mar
ried'
How old is sshe?''
I "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 lot Of money"
replied the halfbreed, with the prone
ness of 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 reined 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 swirled out
of a 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. Midway 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 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
of it? Talk about Siberian exile! That
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 it a homelike appearance. The
two cabins before him were very small,
Beyond them stood the big agency
warehouse. It's o5erhanging upper
story showed that it 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
guardhOuSe!
'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
creek? Most of the relations Of the
police camp near the agency. This
first cabin is Nogen's-yours, should
say. The second is mine."
"Your quarters? May ask you for
a bite of lunch as soon as I have
rubbed down my mare?"
II board with the DupOnts, but can
scare up cold lunch" said Vandervyn.
. AS they dismounted, Redbear came
up and successfully curried favor with
the new agent by offering to curry his
| 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 property
] and examining the accounts Of the two
, clerks. With the exception of two or
three small items On Redbear's books,
everything checked accurately.
u Vandervyn brought bacon, coffee,
, crackers and canned food, and the new
agent cooked supper with the skill of
, an old campaigner. After they had
eaten, the chief clerk produced cigars
, in anticipation of a social evening But