The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1917-01-11
CHAPTER TX.
The Coquette.

| raSteSt walk. Iney huu sOue leSs Nl"h
a mile when a hOrseman came loping
up the slope from Sioux creek.
at is Mr.. Vandervyn," said Hardy In
an even tone"
"Yes" she replied. She handed back
the glasses, but did not look at him
until Vandervyn rode up.
The young mans face was flushed,
as if he had been drinking. When he
pulled up before them, he was seeming
ly so struck with Hardy's appearance
that he scarcely needed Marie's joyful
greeting.
whats the matter, captain?" he ex-
claimed. You're as white as a ghost
and your head tied up! You must
have come nasty crOpper."
"Blt of an accident, Not serious" ="
replied Hardy.
1T could not we'll have been closer"
said Marie Captain Hardy has been
shot"
"Shot?" cried Vandervyn.
"The bullet grazed the bone above
the temple. Had it been half an inch
lower or farther back, 1t must have
killed him."
Half an inch" repeated Vandervyn.
His face crimsoned, and the veins OF
his forehead began to swell. "Where
is the fellow? Did he get away? How
long ago was it? Loan me the mare,
Hardy. I'll run him down."
every good of you to Offer" said
Hardy. "But the rascal might ambush
YOU. Well order out squad of po-
lice. Besides, wish your report on
your trip. I/presume Redbear Is at
the agency"
mo" Vandervyn turned a scOwling
face towards the butte, as if angrily
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 if he was
welcomed, he had better stay few
days If he and the girl make them
selves agreeable, we shall have bet
ter chance to quiet the tribe"
"You found conditions still unfavor-
able?"
Eyes. All the chiefs took violent
dislike to you; and they had stirred up
the whole tribe. Charlie and l talked
and talked. You know q white man
can talk Indians into anything, If he
, keeps at it."
"What result?" snapped Hardy.
vandervyn shrugged. Il 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 doubt if they could keep the wild
est of the young bucks in hand. This
shooting proves it. I tell you, captain
, none of us here would think any the
: less of you if you cut the whole bust
f ness"
, 81 shall start for the mountains to
morrow"
+ Tomorrow" demonstrated Marie
! Your wOund-yOu must wait at leas
, until it has begun to heal. And in th'
p meantime Redbear and Oinna will b.
talking Ti-owa-kOnza and his camp int
\ u milder mood"
|. THAT last is a most excellent argu
t mcnt." said Hardy, and his tirml!
r compressed lips curved in smile a
the girl. 81 shall take your advice
+ Miss Dupont"
= Vandervyn had frowned over tn
- concern in Marie's voice. Hardys re
e sponse started the veins of his fore
e head swelling. He looked off ava
l. from the two, and remarked in cas-
nal voice: "I'll ride in ahead and OF
| der out a squad Of policemen to trac
down the scoundrel. Jake can inter
pret, if I'm unable to make them ur
4 derstand."
| Good" said Hardy.
Vandervyn shot at Marie a glance Q
4 jealous anger, and put spurs to hi
a pinto. But when they reached tn
a valley and saw through the glasses tn
"A squad of police only just leaving tn
agency, Marie conjectured that tn
I iaded pinto had slowed to a wal
while going up the valley.
! At last Marie and Hardy reached tn
q agency. With the assistance of Val
dervyn, who came out of the Dupor
house to meet them, he was helpe
u down from his mare to cot in tn
shady porch. Here in the open a
i Marie washed the wound and took se'
eral stitches to draw the edges t
gether.
During the operation, which HARD
| endured without groan Vandervy
=, stood by, watching Marie's face wit
sullen jealousy. The moment she he
g, rebandaged the wound, he suggestt
st that it would be well to leave Hare
" quiet In reply she asked him to {
for ice. When he returned he -four
,e her sitting beside the cot, fan in han
is Hardy had fallen asleep. She ro
and went into the house, and Vande
N vyn followed her.
The young man made no attempt
lis conceal his anger. He closed the pa
lor door and turned upon her acct
n ingly. $50 that's what you've been I
n to all the time rye been away?"
ng up to what, pray?"
re "Coduetting with that old fossil of
nd tin soldier"
Am | not dutiful daughter?" t
ng girl parried. "Mon pere said mt
make myself agreeable to. the agen
ID. HE didY'
ou why not go ard ask hica. # J
doubs wnat ] sayf'