The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1917-01-04
CHAPTER VII.


ne Common Law.
There was still more than a trace of
red in Hardys sallow cheeks when Ma
rie, Vandervyn and Dupont came in
upon him at the office. Dupont held
out congratulatOry hand.
"By gar, Cap" he said, you sure
had a mighty close squeak of it that
time. Guess old III got alfred hot.
Where's Charlie?"
'Redbear? 1 sent him to reaSSure
his sister and the families of the pO-
lice"
"That was very thoughtful of you,
captain" said Marie.
But it would be far moro consider
ate if you would leave the reserva-
tiOn," added Vandervyn.
How so?' Queried Hardy.
"Of course, you'll fancy am think
ing of my promotion. But it's not
that at all. Ask Jake"
Q Il got it from the p'leece,' said Du-
pOnt. "The whole bunch was crazy
to shoot you; they'd done it, too, only
Charlie sings out to 'em that Mr.. Van
was going to be agent, and you'd go
away"
Gle said that?"
"Oh, captain, don't be angry at Char
Iie," interceded Marie. "He had to do
it to save fight"
But why? I could not have been
more friendly. Yet everything l said
seemed to anger them"
81 told you they're Ornery bunch, "
replied Dupont. 1T was for because
you being an officer. The chiefs hate
all soldiers like pizen. Most Of the
old ones was in the ghost-dancc craze,
and got jailed by the soldiers"
"They may cool down and be willing
to listen to reason" argued Hardy.
Cool down? They'll go back and
sit and stew and stew till hell boilS
over. Next thing happens, they'll stir
up the young bucks. Nom dun chien
Just when l was Citing enough ahead
in my business to take care of my
old age and give Marie chance to be
ludy--tO stand to lose everything
and her and my scalp to boot"
You are free to leave here with her
whenever you wish
mo, l ain't. l cant leave my store
all my property"
There would be no danger if it
were not for YOU" said Marie her
eyes flashing with indignation. III
only you had not come here. If there
is an outbreak, it will be all your
fault !"
"NIinc?"
"Oh, l know you mean we'll But
if they've taken this violent dislike to
yOu- Why ever did you come? You
thought you would insist on staying
nothing could have kept them from
attacking you. But the promise that
Mir. Van is to be their agent, that paci
fed them. Had YOU never come here
all this would not have harpwcAd The
chiefs would have come to talk witt
Mr. Van, and would have gone bacE
| satisfied"
Hardy swung around in his chair t.
Scrutinize the guileless face of Van
dervyn.
"What do you say to that, sir?" h,
interrogated.
'What can say?' replied Wander
vyn, twisting the tip OF his Blond mus
tache. 1T is for you to decide t,
leave for the good OF the tribe, 0
to stay and take the chance of an up
rising
"The way you put it" considerct
Hardy. perhaps it might be bette
for all concerned if should leave"
You bet it would, Cap" eagerl
broke in Dupont. "'Tain't no joke
Them ornery cusses II git you lill
they done with Nogen. just as sur
as shooting"
| Vandervyn shot furious glance n
the blunderer. Marie was looking q
, Hardy. But she did not need to Sc
: the tightening of his lips to realiz
! what her father had done.
: "Oh, Pere" she reprOached. "Wh
: did you say it? You should hav
known Captain Hardy could not leav
after that"
eI "Quite right, Miss Dupont" sal
Hardy.
J, "You mean, you won't leave?" aske
Dupont.
!. "HOw can he?" Vandervyn smoOthl
e cut in. you've put it up to him thu
t 1t would be deserting his post und,
| fire. HISS an army ofIicer-he wouldn
e leave now even if he knew his stayil
here meant certain massacre for l