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

He IA still more surprised when,
the following day, he and Marie rode
down Sioux creek to where 1t flowed
Into Wolf river. The moment the
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-looklng men encamped along
the spring rill in light dOg-tents. A
few were cowboys, but the greater
number had tn appearance and outfits
of prospecting miners. They stared at
Marie with the respectful admiration
Of typical Westerners for an "honest'
woman, and readily answered Hardy'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 a blurred sheet Of a little
country journal, and pointed out the
government notice. 1t was printed In
the midst Of several uninteresting legal
notices. The old fellow winked know
ingly, and remarked that, as long as
he was in on the game, he didn't care
how quiet 1t was played.
"What could that man have meant
about being in on a quiet gamer" Ma
RE asked Hardy, as they rode down
the coulee to take the road back to
the agency.
81 believe I understand, and / do
not altogether like It," replied Hardy.
"The fellow probably Is right In think
ing that undue influence Is being eX-
erted to give as little publicity as pos
slble to the opening of the mineral
lands to entry"
"Do you really think so? OF course
1t Is not right Yet where Is the
harm? These men have been enter
prislng enough to seize the oppOrtu-
nifty, and they deserve the chances Of
good fortune"
"The transaction has rather too
much the appearance of a ~prearranged
scheme" replied Hardy. His thought
full face darkened with the shadow Of
anxiety. "1f | could be sure that 1t
would bring only good fortune to you !"
The profound tenderness and con-
cern In his voice seemed to startle
Marie. She leaned forward, and put
her pony into a gallop.
The day before, Immediately upon
receipt of the official statement from
Washington, Hardy had sent n messen-
ger to notify Ti-owa-konza. Two days
later the head chief came with all his
large family, including Olnna. Marie
insisted that the girl should come to
stay with her until the return of Red
bear, and Immediately fitted out the
girl with good dresses from her own
wardrobe. When Hardy spoke of her
generosity, she smiled and shrugged.
ut Is little enough to do for any
one, captain. / was tired Of those old
gowns. Anyway, as q quarterbreed,
owe II to my own self-respect to keep
n halfbreed girl from going around like
a full-blood woman"
"Her brother will be greatly
pleased"
81 had no thought of him. He Is
rather a worthless fellow. 1t is strange
to me how proud Olnna is of him. She
says nothing, but one can see that
she is in a fever of joyous excitement
over the prospect of his return"
Hardy frowned, parted his lips to
speak, and thought better Of 1t.
you were going to say-T OBJ
served Marie.
Something that must be left unsald
If you will pardon me-" he replied, ant
he shifted the conversation to the
question Of accommodations for the
commissioners.
The arrival of the commissioners
early in the afternoon Of the following
day would have taken the agency by
surprise If Hardy had not posted Q
lookout on the signal mountain. The
prearranged smoke-slgn gave warnin;
Of the approach Of the party Will,
1t was yet many miles away ovel
the plains. Even at that, Hard!
and Marie and Dupont were no
quite ready to greet the visitors
when they came into view down tn,
valley. The explanation Of their quicl
trip from the railroad at once becam,
evident. Commissioners, Indian dele
gates and all were slowed In tw,
large touring cars,
Vandervyn was driving the foremos
car. He brought 1t up the slope of tn,
agency terrace with a rush, and spnl
it around In a curve that ended befor
the porch of the Dupont house. TIL
second car rolled straight on acros
the terrace to the tepee Of Tl-owa
y konza.
Hardy, who was about to star
S across to the office, paused In tn
porch to welcome the commissioner:
Dupont hurried cut of the rear door
way of his store. Marie, after a Sigh
& bow In acknowledgment Of Wander
vyn's respectful salute, quietly dre'
" back into her parlor.
In the front seat beside vandervy
was q big, red-faced man. who's
bleared eyes Immediately began
d scrutlnlze Hardy, and as qulckl
d turned away when they met his clea
k gaze. The five men In the tonneau a
had the look of a certain kind Of pol
tlcian, and all metz Hardy's cordit
greeting with a cold formality tha
would have chilled even a place-hrute
1t Put upon his dignity by this une:
nected rebuff. the captnln drew bnc