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

3
So began the second period Of Har-
dy's close companlonship with the girl,
and the intimacy appeared us sincere
and friendly as the first one, when Van
dcrvyn was In the mountains with
Redbear. Almost every day they rode
out to examine the Wolf river water.
shed. aud estimate us best they could
without surveying Instruments the
number Of acres that could be put un.
der ditch.
Hardy had Mt once written for re.
ports on similar undertakings. BE.
fore receiving them he was agreeably
surprised by an official telegram from
Washington instructing him to at once
send on the tribal delegation, In the
charge Of Redbear. SO swift IN I'M
Keeling of government red tape proved
TINT powerful influences were favor
ing the contamination Of the new
treaty. Hardy ung%rudgingly give
vundervyn the credit Of being a very
successful benevolent lobbyist.
A n was dispatched to bring In
Redbear and the delegates. They
came without delay. Redbear's arm
was 70 nearly nealed that he had full
use Of 1t. Olnna did not accompany
him. He said their grandfather had
become 80 fond Of her that he had
insisted upon her remaining In the
mountains until the return Of the del.
egation from Washington. Marie Of
fered to send for her and give her q
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
a. far a. the railroad. and Marie and
Dupont went along to keep him com.
pany. He provided for the comfort
aboard train Of Iiedbear and the i've
solemn chiefs. and shipped them OF
With through tickets to Washington
and q careful set Of instructions to
aelp them In the conduct Of their mis-
sion.
my only wish Is that I might 60
~tron horse" whirled them away
toward the land OF the sunrise. 'They
will be like Babes In the Woods"
"You sure have done your level best
Cor 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 a glance that COM
pletely diverted his thoughts.
They spent the night In the rough
shack misnamed c hotel. and ut dawn
started on their return to the agency.
As Dupont's pony was continually lag
ying behind. Hardy had the pleasure
OF Marie's company virtually alone for
the greater part Of the ride. She
seemed to enjoy this quite N much
a. he. and remained In gracious good
humor ever through the blazing heat
of midday. Nor did she allow herself
60 feel fatigue until, after their arrival
at the agency. she had cooked a sa-
cory supper. and then entertained
Hardy for m hour or more In her ar.
dstic little parlor.
The next day, fresh as ever. Marie
was ready to ride up to the falls and
help him run a line OF levels with the
Instruments that he had hired In
town. Never had he known anyone
20 Astounding In life. Mentally us well
a. physically. she seemed eve t~lreless,
buoyant. animated.
Day after day they worked and
planned for the good Of the tribe
day after day her g~rnciousness toward
him increased. And day after day his
love for her deepened and strength
ened until II could be seen In his every
took and act. and heard IN every In.
Election Of his voice when he spoke "a
aer. Though her manner toward him
showed no trace Of overt coquetry. she
devotion or to check the growth OF
his passion.
A week after the departure of the
delegation found him fully looking the
part OF a valiant lOver-ardent, youth
full, almost handsome. He had lost
MI h OF his former look of pensive
sew Gritty. Even the sIlvery hairs over
his temples seemed to be regalr'nl
their original ruddy brown.
A few days later one o. the lines OF
levels happened to bring him and ths
girl to the edge Of the coulee. acros,
from the butte. lie suggested thu,
they 20 down and across to the spring
rill for a drink
As they turned back, Marie recog
nized the exact spot where he hat
been shot. Womanllke. she shud
dered and turned pale at the recol
lection, though ut the time Of the &C
currence she had been 80 brave.
look r. she said In a half whisper
"Here IL where yor fell. I though
you were killed"