The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1917-03-01

| "But common-law marriage" tri-
umphantly rejoined the girl In the
faith Of her unquestionlng love. HE
said white people often get married
that way"
Hurdy burst out between pity and
Indignation: "The scoundrel !-You
poor child Common-law marriage Is
only half-marriage at best. To make
1t ever that much Of q tie, It Is neces-
sary that a man and woman should
live togther as husband and wife
openly. lie kept this matter secret;
he persuaded you and your brother to
tell no one-the scoundrell !"
Stricken with grief and shame, DIN
ma uttered q moan and crouched down
over her pony's withcrs, with her face
In her hands. But the drlnk-crazed
brain Of Redbear c~oinprehended only
that Hardy was beratlng 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 aud reached out. Redbear
slumped from his saddle like a sack Of
grain.
OInna slipped down to run to her
brother. But Hardy was quicker. He
threw himself on the half-dazed drunk
ard. A sklllful wrench loosened 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 hurt" gasped Oinna.
Hardy rolled the drunkard away
from her and spoke sternly: "IIe Is
not hurt. Redbear, stand up!"
Redbear gathered himself together
and, aided by 0lnna, 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-mlle to the cabin,
Hardy led the mare, and Olnna 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 dlsmount before the
door and handed him his unloaded re-
volver. lie then lifted his hat to DIN
ma with utmost respectfulness.
Miss Redbear," he said. "you have
been wronged In n most despicable
manner. lie 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
came n 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-ohv" sighed Oinna. and she
crept toward the mocker. her hands
implorlngly outstretched, her soft
eyes trimming over with tears Of pitt
full entreaty. "Tell him-tell him II
isn't truel Tell him our marriage Ia
n real marriage"
"Nyhat a fuss over a little thing like
thatw he rallied.
The girl crlnged back. and sank
down, In silent anguish to hide her
face.
"For shame, sirl" cried Hardy
"Have you no shred Of decencyT
vandervyn laughed. Redbear start
ed staggering toward him, the empty
revolver concealed behind his back
with drunken cunning.
"You think it's funny" he muttered
funny joke! You own up that mar
riage with her wasn't real like you
said 1t was"
"What If It wasn't?" bantered Van
dervyn. 1T was good enough for q
~halfbreed sluaw." He smiled u,
Hardy. "Yes. good enough for any
halfbreed or-quarterbreed. I'll have
Marie mex"
Hardy .ensed, yet instantly checked
the wrath that would have impellet
him to- hurl himself at the throat Of
the mocker. Redbear lacked such iror
self-mastcry, and liquor had numbet
his sense OF subservlency to Wander
vyn. At Marle's name his fury burst
out.
"You liar! You thiefw he yelled
"She's mlnel You promised II
show you, YOU" Cursing wildly, hi
nourished his revolver, and brought Il
down In n wavering attempt to TAKE
aim.
"Stop, Stopw Hardy cried to Van
dervyn. SITS not loaded! Stopl"
But vandervyn had already whipped
out his revolver. From the muzzlt
leaped a sheet of flame. Redbear Huns
up his arms and pitched backward
Swiftly vandervyn recocked his re
volver and aimed 1t Mt Hardy.
"Put up your hnndsl Keep then
away from your coat" he shouted II
fierce menace. D.
Hardy did not put up his hands. III
bent down to feel the heart Of thu
halfbreed. Shrieking with horror
0lnna fell fainting across the body o.
her brother. Hardy looked up, grin
and quiet.
II hope you are satisfied" he said
sYou have killed him."
vandervyn kept his revolver pointed