The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1917-02-08

He was still more surprised when,
the following day, he and Marie rode
down Sioux creek to where it flowed
into Wolf river. The moment the
view down the coulee opened before
them, they perceived several tents
pitched in the ebottom, at the foot of the
butte. They found twenty or twenty
tve rough-loOking men encamped along
the spring rill in light dog-tents. A
Few were cowboys, but the greater
number had the appearance and outfits
OF prospecting miners. They stared at
Marie with the respectful admiration
of typical Westerners for an honest"
woman, and readily answered Hardy's
civil questions.
Notice of the prospective opening of
the mineral lands of the reservation
had been published in a few very OBJ
scure weekly papers. One of the men
gave Hardy a blurred sheet of a little
country journal, and pointed out the
government notice. 1t was printed in
the midst Of several uninteresting legal
notices. The old fellow winked know
lngly, and remarked that, as long as
he was in on the game, he didn't care
how quiet it was played.
What could that man have meant
about being in on quiet game" Ma
rie asked Hardy, as they rode down
the coulee to take the road back to
the agency.
u believe I understand, and 1 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 pos
sible to the opening of the mineral
lands to entry"
DO you really think so? OF course
it 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 a prearranged
scheme" replied Hardy. His thought
full face darkened with the shadow Of
anxiety. IF 1 could be sure that it
would bring only good fortune to you !"
The profound tenderness and con-
cern 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
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
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.
"It Is little enough to do for any
one, captain. / was tired Of those old
gowns. Anyway, as a Quarterbreed, l
owe it to my own self-respect to keep
4 halfbreed girl from going around like
4 full-bloOd woman"
"Her brother will be greatly
pleased"
"I had no thought of him. He is
'ather a 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
,ver the prospect Of his return"
Hardy frowned, parted his lips to
speak, and thought better Of 1t.
"YOu were going to say" OBJ
served Marie.
Something that must be left unsaid,
f you will pardon me-" he replied, and
le shifted the conversation to the
question of accommodations for the
commissioners.
The arrival of the commissioners
Early in the afternoon of the following
lay would have taken the agency by
if Hardy had not posted a
ookout on the signal mountain. The
)rearranged smoke-sign gave warning
If the approach of the party while
It was yet many miles away over
he plains. Even at that, Hardy
md Marie and Dupont were not
luite ready to greet the visitors
when they came into view down the
valley. The explanation of their quick
rip from the railroad at once became
evident. Commissioners, Indian dele
gates and all were slowed in two
arge touring cars.
Vandervyn was driving the foremost
ear. He brought 1t up the slope Of the
agency terrace with a rush, and spun
t around In a curve that ended before
he porch Of the Dupont house. The
second car rolled straight on across
he terrace to the tepee of Ti-owa-
zonza.
Hardy, who was about to start
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
oow In acknowledgment Of Wander
Vyn's respectful salute, quietly drew
pack into her parlor.
In the front seat beside Vandervyn
was a big, red-faced man, whose
cleared 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 a certain kind of noIi.
tician, and all met Hardy's cordial
greeting with cold formality that
would have chilled even a place-hunter.
Put upon his dignity by this, unex-
pected rebuff, the captain drew back
into the porch. Dupont received