The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-11-08

Washington except two notes from
Vandervyn to Dupont, reporting favor
able progress and inclosing sealed le'-
tiers to Marie. She told nothing Of
what these contained, even to her fa.
Their.
Hardy's first-and last-message In
regard to the new treaty was IN off,
clnl notification that II had been duly
approved md signed, after fifteen mil.
lion dollars had been decided upon as
the compensation to the tribe for the
mineral lands. Special commissioners
had been named to proceed to the res
ervation and rrnnge for the immedi-
nte opening OF the mineral lands to en-
try, and the allotment of the remaining
lands to the members of the tribe.
Hardy n surprised when he saw
that the time set for the departure OF
the commissioners had already passed.
The document had been instructed,
had been returned 10 Washington, and
then seemingly had been ~pigeonholcd
for several days by some chi eless clerk
before being remailed to him.
II he had not established a more fire.
quont mail service. In place OF the Gus
tomary weekly trip to town by on ,
Of the police. the commissioners might
have arrived before he received the
notice.
+ He was still more surprised when.
the following day, he and Marie rode
down Sioux creek to where It flowed
Into yNnte rtvhH Thn Vnnsnnpe Nha
view down the coulee opened before
them. they perceived several tents
pitched In the bottom, at the foot Of the
butte. They found twenty or twenty.
five 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 a,
Marie with the respectful admiration
Of typical Westerners for an "honest'
womnn. and readily answered llardy'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 n blurred sheet Of n little
country Journal, and pointed out the
government notice. II was printed In
the midst of several unintercstlng lcgnI
notices. The old fellow winked know
ingly, and remarked that, as long MS
he was In on the game, he didn't care
how quiet II was played.
"What could that man have mean,
about being In on n quiet gamer" Ma
RE asked Hardy. as they rode down
the coulee to take the road back e
the agency.
II believe I understand, and I dc
not altogether like It." replied Hardy
"The fellow probably Is right In Thick
Ing that undue influence Is being ex
erted to give US little publicity Us pos
sible to the opening Of the minern
lands to entry"
"Do you really think soi OF cours.
u Is not right Yet where Is tn,
harm7 These men have been enter
prislng enough TO seize the opportu
nifty. nnd they deserve the chances OF
good fortune"
"The transaction has rather too
much the appearance Of n prearranget
scheme" replied Hardy. His thought
full face darkened with the shadow %
anxiety. "If I could be sure that 4
would bring only good fortune to you =
The profound tenderness and con
Germ In his voice seemed to starti'
Marie. She leaned forward. and pu
her pony Into a gallop.
The day before. Immediately upoI
receipt Of the official statement from
Washington, Hardy had sen n messen
ger to notify Ti-owa-konza. Two day
later the head chief came with all hi
large family. including Oinna. Mari,
insisted that the girl should come I,
stay with her until the return Of Red
bear, and Immediately fitted out III,
girl with good dresses from her owl
wardrobe. When Hardy spoke of he
generosity. she smiled and shrugged
at Is little enough to do for any
one. captain. l was tired of those oil,
gowns. Anyway, rs Il quarterbreed,
owe It to my own self-respect to keel
a halfbreed girl from going around lik'
a full-bloOd woman"
"Her brother will be great.
pleased"
II had no thought Of him. He I
rather q worthless fellow. 1t Is strang'
to me how proud Olnna Is Of him. SIN
says nothing. but n can see thu
she Is In a fever Of joyous excitemen
over the prospect of his retarn."
} Hardy frowned, parted his lips 4
speak. and thought better Of It.
} "You were going to say oh
served Marie.
Something that must be left unsaid
. II you will pardon me-" he replied. an