The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1917-02-22
CHAPTER xVl-contlnued.

and the intimacy appeared as sincere
and friendly as the first one, when Van
dervyn was In the mountains with
Redbear. Almost every day they rode
out to examine the Wolf river water
shed. and estimate as best they could
without surveying Instruments the
number of acres that could be put I'M
der ditch.
Hardy had at once written for re-
ports on similar undertakings. Be-
fore receiving them he was agreeably
surprised by an official telegram from
Washington instructlng him to at once
send on the tribal delegation. In the
charge Of Redbear. SO swift an I'M
Keeling Of government red tape proved
that powerful influences were favor
ing the contamination OF the new
treaty. Hardy ungrudgingly gave
vandervyn the credit Of being a very
successful benevolent lobbyist.
A runner was dispatched to bring In
Redbear and the delegates. They
came without delay. Redbear's arm
was 80 nearly nealed that he had full
use Of II. Oinna did not accompany
him. He said their grandfather had
become so fond OF her that he had
insisted upon her remaining In the
mountains until the return OF the del
egatlon from Washington. Marie Of
fered to send for her and give her n
home while her brother was away, but
Redbear hastily declared that the girl
wished TO stay with the old chief.
Hardy took charge of the delegation
as far as the railroad, and Marie and
Dupont went along TO keep him COM
pany. He provided for the comfort
aboard train of Redbear and the five
solemn chiefs, and shipped them on
with through tickets to Washington
and a careful set Of instructions to
help them In the conduct of their mis-
sion.
MY only wish Is that l might go
With them" he remarked, as the
-iron horse" whlrled them away
toward the land of the sunrise. 'They
will be like Babes In the Woods"
"You sure have done your level best
for them, Cap" replied Dupont. you
amt got no license to worry nohow.
Mr.. Van Is there to boost 'em along"
Besides, you have your work here"
added Marie with n glance that COM
pletely diverted his thoughts.
They spent the night In the rough
shack misnamed a hotel, and ut dawn
started on their return to the agency.
As Duponts pony was continually lag
gins behind. Hardy had the pleasure
OF Marie's company virtually alone for
the greater part Of the ride. She
seemed to enjoy this quite as much
as he. and remained In gracious good
humor even through the blazing heat
OF midday. Nor did she allow herself
TO feel fatigue until, after their arrival
ut the agency, she had cooked n sa'
worry supper, and then entertained
Hardy for an hour or more In her ar
tistic little parlor.
The next day, fresh rs ever, Marie
was ready to ride up to the falls and
help him run q line Of levels with the
Instruments that he had hired In
town. Never had he known anyone
SO Astounding In life. Mentally as wei
as physically. she seemed ever tlreless
buoyant, animated.
Day after day they worked ant
planned for the good of the tribe
day after day her ~graclousness toward
him increased. And day after day his
love for her deepened and strength
ened until 1t could be seer In his ever!
Ink and act, and heard in every In
Election Of his voice when he spoke t.
her. Though her manner toward hin
showed no trace Of overt coquetry, sh'
mnde no effort TO repulse his silen
devotion or to check the growth o
his passion.
A week after the departure Of tn
delegation found him fully looking tn,
part of n gallant lover-ardent, youth
full, almost handsome. He had los
much Of his former look of pensiy
severity. Even the silvery hairs owe
his temples seemed to be regainlnI
their original ruddy brown.
A few days later n of the lines o
levels happened TO bring him and tn
girl to the edge Of the coulee, acros
from the butte. He suggested tina
they 20 down and across TO the sprin
rlll for a drink.
AS they turned back, Marie recos
nlzed the exact spot where he hal
been shot. Womanlike, she shut
dered and turned pale at the reco
lection, though at the time Of the OF
currence she had been so brave.
"Look |" she said In a %half-whispeI
"Here is where you fell. though
you were killed."
'The experience was we'll wort
WHILE" he replied. His voice shoe
with the irresistible passion Of hi
love. dearest l--let me call you tha
here. this oncel II was here l frs
looked Into the depths OF your hear
and learned how good and kind yo
are"
The girl turned to hide her fac
from the reverent alteration Of hi
gaze.
mo, no." she murmured. Don
pleased"
II must speak, DEAR" he replied.
ask nothing Of you. II is only lint
wish 70 tell you how you made m
realiz" ngnin that nfe Is worth uyin