The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1917-01-25
CHAPTER TX.
The c~oquette.

1 6'AfFI 1860
fastest walk. They had gone less than
n mile when a hOrseman came looping
up the slope from Sioux creek.
ut Is Mr.. Vandervyn," said Hardy In
an even tone"
"Yes," she replied. She handed bRck
the glasses, but did not look at him
until Vanderyyn rode up.
The young mans face was flushed,
as II he had been drinking. When he
pulled up before them, he was seeming.
ly so struck with Hardy's appearance
that he scarcely needed Marle's joyful
greeting.
whats the matter, captaIn7" he ex.
claimed. you're as white M n ghost
and your head tied upl You must
have come n nasty cropper."
"Blt Of an accident. Not serious"
replied Hardy.
1T could not well have been closer"
said Marie. Captain Hardy has been
shot"
"Shotf" cried Vandervyn.
1.-THE bullet grazed the bone above
the temple. Had 1t been half an inch
lower or farther back, 1t must have
killed him."
Half I'm lnch." repeated Vanderyyn.
His face c%rimsOned, and the veins OF
his forehead began to swell. where
Is the fellow? Did he get awayf How
long ago was 1t? Loan me the mare,
Hardy. I'll run him down."
VERY good of you to OFFER" said
Hardy. "But the rascal might ambush
you. Wen order out u squad OF po-
lice. Besides, | wish your report on
your trip. / presume Redbear Is ut
the agency"
mo" vandervyn turned a scowling
face towards the butte, as II angrlly
eager to be off In pursuit Of the would
be assassin. "Charlie went back to
Thunderbolt's camp to see If his sis
ter was getting along all right with
the old chief. | told him that II he was
welcomed, he had better stay n few
days. II he and the girl make them
selves agreeable, we shall have n bet
ter chance to quiet the tribe"
"You found conditions still %unfavor-
ablef"
Eyes. All the chiefs took n violent
dislike to you and they had stirred up
the whole tribe. Charlie and | talked
and talked. You know n white man
can talk Indians into anything, If he
keeps at It,"
"What result?" snapped Hardy.
Vundervyn shrugged. 81 know we
made some impression, especially on
old ThunderbOlt. The chiefs no doubt
would be willing to let you visit the
camps on safe conduct, so to speak
but l doubt If they could keep the wild
est Of the young bucks In hand. This
shooting proves 1t. | tell you, captain,
none Of us here would think any the
less of you II you cut the whole bust
ness"
81 shall start for the mountains to-
morrow"
Tomorrow" demonstrated Marie.
your wound--yOu must wait at least
until 1t has begun to heal. And In the
meantime Redbear and Olnna will be
talking Ti-owa-konza and his camp into
q mllder mood"
'"That last Is q most excellent argu-
ment," said Hardy, and his firmly
compressed lips curved In q smile ut
the girl. ~ shall take your advice,
Miss Dupont"
Vandervyn had frowned over the
concern In Marie's voice. Hardy's re-
spouse started the veins Of his fore
head swelling. He looked off away
from the two, and remarked In n cas-
ual voice: "Tll ride in ahead and or
der out n squad of policemen to track
down the scoundrel. Jake can inter
pref, IL I'm unable to make them I'M
derstand."
Good !" said Hardy.
Vandervyn shot at Marie a glance of
Jealous anger, and put spurs to his
pinto. But when they reached the
valley and saw through the glasses the
squad Of police only just leaving the
agency, Marie conjectured that the
jaded pinto had slowed to u walk
while going up the valley.
At last Marie and Hardy reached the
agency. With the assistance of Van
dervyn, who came out of the Dupont
house to meet them, he was helped
down from his mare to a cot In the
shady porch. Here In the open air
Marie washed the wound and took sew
eral stitches to draw the edges to-
gether.
During the operation, which Hardy
endured without a groan, Vandervyn
stood by, watching Marle's face with
sullen jealousy. The moment she had
rebandaged the wound, he suggested
that 1t would be well to leave Hardy
quiet. In reply she asked him to go
for ice. When he returned, he found
her sitting beside the cot, fan in hand.
Hardy had fallen asleep. She rose
and went into the house, and Wander
vyn followed her.
The young man made no attempt to
conceal his anger. He closed the par
lor door and turned upon her accus-
ingly. $50 that's what you've been up
to oil the time I've been awayT
up to what, prayT
"Coquettlng with that old fossil Of a
tin soldier"
"Am l not a dutlful daughterT the
girl parted. mon pere said l must
make myself agreeable to the agent"
ale dldT
"Why not go and ask him, II you
doubt what say2"