The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1916-12-08

"You are mistaken, Mr.. Vandervyn,"
replied Hardy, and he drew an official
envelope from an inside pocket. "You
are only the chief clerk on this reser-
walton. have been detailed to serve
as acting agent"
Your" cried Vandervyn. "Why, 1t
was all fixed for me to be appointed
agent. My uncle wired me that my
name would go through for the promo
ton without a hitch. So you pulled
the wires to cut me out?"
II pulled no wires, Mr.. vandervyn,"
Hardy coldly met the accusation. ION
my return from the islands, last month
asked for q detail to active service
In the open, preferably here in the
northwest. on account of my health"
DO you mean to say you did not
ask for this place in Particular"
mo. The detail was given me be.
cause Of the killing of the late agent
and the reported restlessness of the
tribe"
you'll find these ugly bucks differ.
ent from Moros."
Perhaps" said Hardy. He looked
at the two big, lumpy sacks that were
dashed on the blackboard. "You had
started for the railroad?"
"Pere and Mr.. Van wished to ship
out the ore," explained the girl.
"Ore?" inquired Hardy.
swell, yes, it's sort Of ORE" ad
mitted Dupont. "You see, me and"
"Tll make it clear to Captain Hardy
in two words, jake" broke in Van
dervyn. He looked at the new agent
with frank, direct gaze. "You see
| captain, some of the Indians have beer
getting ore, back in the mountains
Jake trades them goods for it. The
barter has been good thing for them
and so far, 1 believe, Jake has lost
| nothing"
Dupont narrowed his shrewd gray
eyes as If calculating. "Well, no, that's
no lie, Cap. Take it in the long run,
amt lost nothing. 1t might figure out
I've broke even or mebbe some BETTER
Vandervyn winked at Hardy. "Wher
an Indian trader admits he may have
| done some better than to have come
out even, we can guess what thai
means"
"Nom dun CHEN !" grumbled Dupont
Saint the risk to count"
1T has been an unnecessary risk fol
you to keep your daughter on the res
ervation after the killing of Mr.. No
gen." reproved Hardy. II presume she
Is now going away, not to return unit
the trouble has passed"
"You are quite mistaken, Captain
Hardy" said the girl. II am going fol
the drive and to send off mail order
We can rely on the police. Anyway
none Of the tribe would hurt me-"
Dupont scratched his head and NUT
tered: swell, mebbe so. You can't al
ways tell what they'll do"
"Why, Perez" exclaimed Marie, "yor
know there's not the slightest danger
to me-"
swell, mebbe MOTTO you," he &C
guessed.
"Yet it will be advisable for you t.
remain away until have the situation
well in hand" said Hardy.
The girls eyes flashed at the slight
| suggestion of dictation. "Tll do as
please, thank you," she rejoined.
I'm this instance you may" agreed
Hardy, "since your father admits thai
you are in no danger. Otherwise
would order you to remain away"
you'd dare to order mew
Certainly. You should know the
scope of the agents authority. 1t In
cludes the right to order off the reser
walton anyone not member of the
tribe"
The girl smiled mockingly. "You for
get told you I am quarterbreed."
| "Marie!" demonstrated Vandervyn.
"Mind your own BUSINESS" she
flashed back at him. II am mo-
| ashamed that I'm a member Of the
tribe, and I don't care how soon he
knows it, even If he is, an officer OF
your little American army"
She turned upon Hardy, flushed, de
faint, naughty. "My mother was the
granddaughter Of Sitting Bull. What
have you to say to that, Mr.. West
Pointer
Nothing, Miss Dupont, unless" he
paused, smiled and continued-"unless
| 1t Is to remark that 1 am glad the Pc
| lice are so near"
The girls eyes flashed with anger
With a swift movement she bent ovel
and snatched her driving-whip from