The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-03-10


umphantiy rejOined the girl in the
faith of her unqueStiOning love. HE
said white people often get married
that way
Hardy burst out between pity and
indignation: THE scoundrel You
poor child Common-Iaw marriage is
only half-marriage at best. To make
it even that much of a tie. it is neces-
sary that a man and woman should
live tOgther as husband and wife
openly. He kept this matter secret
he persuaded you and your brother to
tell no On@the ScoundreI -
Stricken with grief and shame. DIN
ma uttered moan and crouched down
over her pOny's withers, with her face
in her hands. But the drink-crazed
brain of Redbear cOInprehended only
that Hardy was berating his sisters
husband. He made an effort to
straighten in the saddle, and his right
hand fumbled eagerly for the hilt OF
his revolver. Hardy swerved his mare
alongside and reached out. Redbear
slumped from his saddle like assack OF
grain.
Oinna slipped down to run to her
brother. But Hardy was quicker. He
threw himself on the half-daZed drunk
ard. A skillful wrench Ioosened the
stubborn clutch of the others fingers
on the gun. Disarmed and perhaps
partly sobered by the shock, Redbear
stretched out on the dusty sod
''Oh, he is hHrt!" gasped Oinna-
Hardy rolled the drunkard away
from her and spoke sternly: "He is
not hurt. Redbear, stand upT'
Redbear gathered himself together
| and, aided by Oinna, staggered to his
feet. The ponies had cantered away.
| Hardy led his mare around beside
Redbear, and he and Oinna, between
them, managed to lift the almost help
| less man into the saddle. While they
were going the half-mile to the cabin.
| Hardy led the mare, and Oinna walked
beside her brother to steady him in
his seat. Neither saw the rider who
rode up out of the creek bed beyond
the cabin and wheeled from view be-
hind the end wall.
When they reached the house, Hardy
! helped Redbear dismount before the
door and landed him his unloaded re-
volver He then lifted his hat to DIN
ma with utmost respectfulneSS.
Miss Redbear," he said. you have
been wronged in a most despicable
manner. He has lied to you. You
must keep away from him. Go back
| into the mountains with your grand
father. / believe the rascal will soon
leave the reservation, and then you
will be free from him."
| Thanks for the prophecy, captain. y
came jeer from the end of the cabin
They stared about, and saw Wander
vyn standing at the corner, his face
| set in a cynical smile.
$50 you've quit soldering and taken
| to preaching" he sneered.
| "O-o-ohi" sighed Oinna, and she
crept toward the mocke-, her hands
| imploringly Outstretched. her soft
| eyes trimming over with tears Of pitt
full entreaty. Tell him-tell him il
isn't trueI Tell him our marriage is
real marriage!"
what a fuss over a little thing like
that" he rallied.
The girl cringed back. and SAM
down, in silent anguish to hide hel
face.
For shame, sfrr" cried Hardy
''Have you no shred o. decency?
VandervyB laughed. Redbear start
ed staggering toward him, the empty
| revolver concealed behind his bae1
/ with drunken cunntag.
'You think it's f1nny." he muttered
funny joke! YOn own up that mar
riage with her wasn't real like yeJ
said it was"
''What if it wasn'tF7 bantered Van
dervyn. TT was good enough for {
halfbreed squaE." He smiled a
Hardy. "Yes, good enough for an!
halfbreed Or-tuarterbreed. I'll hav,
Marie next"
Hardy tensed, yet instantly checkeE
the wrath that would have impeIie'
him to hurl himself at the throat o
the mOcker. Redbear lacked such irOl
self-mastery, and liquor had numbe'
his sense of subseryiency to Wander
vyn. AT Marie's name his fury burs
out.
"You Hart You thief. :" he yelled
'She's minei You promised II
show you, you" Cursing wildly, h
fiourished his revolver, and brought
down in a wavering attempt to tax
: aim.
STOP Stop," Hardy cried to Van
dervyn- ITS not lOadedI Stopi7
But Yandervyn had already whippe
out his revolver. From the muzzl
Ieaped a sheet of flame. Redbear fun
up his arms and pitched backward
Swiftly Vandervyn recOcked his II
L voIver and aimed it at Hardy.
"Put up your hands, Keep theI
away from your :" he shouted i
fierce menace.
Hardy did not put up his hands 3
bent down to feel the heart of III
haIfbreed- Shrieking with hOrro
Oinna fell fainting across the body {
her brother. Hardy looked up, griI
and quiet
81 hope you are satisfied" he sal
s'You have killed him.
Yandervyn kept his revolver poIute
at Hardy.
Ct shot in self-defense," he snarIe
: Don't you make a move He had b
gun on me"
eff was EMMY. I called to you.7