The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-02-03
CHAPTER TX.
The coquette.

gallop, Hardy urged the mare to her
fastest walk. They had gone less than
mile when a horseman came Looping
up the slope from Sioux creek.
cit is Mr.. Vandervyn,'' said Hardy in
an even tone"
Yes" she replied. She handed back
the glasses, but did not look at him
until Vanderyyn rode up.
The young mans face was flushed,
as if he had been drinking. When he
pulled up before them, he was seeming
~ so struck with Hardy's appearance
that he scarcely needed Marie's joyful
greeting.
whats the matter, captain?" he ex-
claimed You're as white as ghost
and your head tied upI You must
have come a nasty crOpper."
"Bit of an accident. Not serious"
replied Hardy.
st could not we'll have been closer"
said Marie. Captain Hardy has been
shot"
''Shot?" cried Vandervyn-
1.-THE bullet grazed the bone above
the temple. Had it been half an inch
lower or farther back. it must have
killed him."
Half an inch,' repeated Vandervyn.
His face crimsoned, and the veins of
his forehead began to swell. where
is the fellow? Did he get away? How
long ago was it? Loan me the mare,
Hardy. I'll run him down."
Every good of you TO Offer" said
Hardy. But the rascal might ambush
you. Wen order out a squad of po-
lice. Besides, I wish your report on
your trip. I presume Redbear is at
the agency"
''NO." Vandervyn turned scowling
face towards the butte, as if angrily
eager to be off in pursuit of the would
be assassin. Charlie went back to
ThunderbOlt's camp to see if bis sis
ter was getting along all right with
the old chief. told him that if he was
welcomed, he had better stay a few
days. If he and the girl make them
selves agreeable, we shall have a bet
ter chance to quiet the tribe"
you found conditions still unfavOr-
able?''
Eyes. All the chiefs took a violent
dislike to you; and they had stirred up
and talked. You know a white man
can talk Indians into anything, if he
keeps at it,"
'What result?" snapped Hardy.
Vandervyn shrugged. 81 know we
made some impression, especially on
old Thunderbolt The chiefs no doubt
would be willing to let you visit the
camps on safe conduct, SO to speak;
but doubt if they could keep the wild
est OF the young bucks in hand. This
shooting proves it. tell you, captain,
none of US here would think any the
less of you if you cut the whole bust
ness"
ST shall start for the mountains to-
morrow"
Tomorrow demonstrated Marie.
''Your wOund-you must wait at least
until it has begun to heal. And in the
meantime Redbear and Oinna will be
talking T-owa-konza and his camp into
a milder mood"
'"That last is a most excellent argu-
ment." said Hardy, and his firmly
compressed lips curved in smile at
the girl. ''I shall take your advice,
Miss Dupont
Vandervyn had frowned over the
concern in Marie's voice. Hardy's re-
Spouse started the veins of his fore
head swelling. He looked off away
from the two, and remarked In a cas-
ual voice: "TH ride in ahead and or
der out a squad of policemen to track
down the scoundrel. Jake can inter-
pref. if I'm unable to make them un-
derstand."
"GoodI" said Hardy
Vandervyn shot at Marie a glance OF
jealous anger. and put spurs to his
pinto. But when they reached the
valley and saw through the glasses the
squad of police only just leaving the
agency, Marie conjectured that the
jaded pinto had slowed to a walk
while going up the valley.
At last Marie and Hardy reached the
agency. With the assistance of Van
dervyn. who came out of the Dupont
house to meet them, he was helped
down from his mare to a cot in the
shady porch Here in the open air
Marie washed the wound and took sew
eral stitches to draw the edges to-
gether.
OuE10& the ODefauOD. W11cn hardy
endured without a groan, Vandervyn
stood by, watching Marie's face with
sullen jealousy. The moment she had
rebandaged the wound, he suggested
that it would be well to leave Hardy
quiet. In reply she asked him to go
for ice. When he returned, he found
her sitting beside the cot, fan In hand.
Hardy had fallen asleep. She rose
and went into the house. and Wander
vyn followed her.
The young man made no attempt to
conceal his anger. He closed the par
lor door and turned upon her accus-
ingly. $50 that's what you've been mp
to all the time Eve been awayg"
up to what. prayz"
"Coquetting with that old fossil Of a
tin soldier
"Am not a dutiful daughter7p the
girl parted mon pere said 1 must
make myself agreeable TO the agent"
@He did?"
..Nhy not go and ask him. II you
doubt what I say7"