Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1916-12-28

tache. ut is for you to decide to
leave for the good Of the tribe, or
to stay and take the chance Of an up
rising"
'The way you put tt" considered
Hardy. perhaps 1t might be better
for all concerned If I should leave"
you bet 1t would, Cap" eagerly
broke In Dupont. "'Tain't no joke.
Them ornery cusses II git you like
they done with Nogen, just as sure
as shooting"
Vandervyn shot a furious glance at
the blunderer. Marie was locking at
Hardy. But she did not need to see
the tightening Of his lips to realize
what her father had done.
"Oh, Perez" she reproached. "Why
did you say 1T You should have
known Captain Hardy could not leave
after that"
"ouits right, Mss Dupont" said
Hardy.
"You mean. you won't leave1' asked
Dupont.
"How can hep vandervyn smoothly
cut in. you've put 1t up to him that
it would be deserving his post under
fire. He's an army officer--he wouldn't
leave now even II he knew his staying
here meant certain massacre for us
all, followed by certain massacre Of
the tribe by the troops"
II will remain until I have made at
least one more effort to pacify the
tribe" replied Hardy. "You are at
liberty to resign whenever you please.
Mr.. Dupont has ample time to remove
his goods and his daughter from the
reservation"
'Not me-" declared Marie; II don't
care what Pere and Reggie say; !
know there Is not one Of the tribe who
would harm me. even In an outbreak"
swell, mebbe not" admitted her IA
ther.
II gather that I arm the only person
who seems to be endangered" re-
marked Hardy. "This being 30. will
wait few days for the excitement to
subslde, and will then call another
council"
"They won't come ag'in to meet YOU"
predicted Dupont.
''Then shall 90 to them"
Into the mountains, captainr ex-
claimed Marie, her splendid eyes wild
ening with concern. Surely you will
not venture among the camps"
1.-THE tribe must learn that mean
friendship"
Dupont paused to scratch the side
OF his head. But Vandervyn spoke
without an instant's hesitancy: "You
have no right to throw your life away
uselessly, captain. Suppose Charlie
and I make a trip to the camps, to see
II we cannot quiet the tribe and talk
the chiefs into giving You another
hearing2 If you have no objection, we
could tell them that you cannot leave
just now, but that you will do so as
soon as you have tried to benefit them"
And that Mr.. VanIl be next agent"
added Dupont.
"Will you tell them that I am here
to help them and to be their friend?'
queried Hardy.
Trust me to put 1t to them strong,
captain" assured vandervyn. II know
you'll play fair by resigning In my ia
vor rs soon as you have the tribe In
hand"
"After have done what l can do to
improve conditions among Them" quail
fled Hardy.
Il do so hope Mr.. Van can persuade
them to be friendly with YOU" said
Marie. II know he and Charlie will
be perfectly safe. But it will be hard
to talk them out Of their strange dis
like to you. When will you start, Reg
gie?"
early tomorrow morning, IL the cap
tain has no objections"
1.-THE sooner the better" agreed
Hardy.
"I1l 60 and remove my council cos
tune" said vandervyn. smiling at his |
frock coat.
Marie and her father rose with him.
Hardy bowed out the girl and returned
to his desk. He was deep In the midst |
Of q report on the tribe when, half an |
hour later, vandervyn returned to the /
office In his riding toys.
Charlie may not come back this /
he remarked. II thought |
might ride down and tell him about |
he trip. could fetch your mare for
gou."
"very well. I STALL be obliged" re-
piled Hardy, and he returned to his
study Of the report.
Vandervyn rode down along the far
side Of the stream, keeping the thick
cts as much as possible between him
self and the Dupont house. He did
1ot recross the creek until he was op-
,osite Redbear's home. He found the
cabin door closed. But at slight
movement Of the window curtains has
hand went I'D to hsckon with q Iosdly