The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-01-06

You are mistaken. Mr.. yandervyn." |
replied Hardy, and be drew an official
envelope from an inside pocket. "YOu
are only the chief clerk on this reser-
walton. I have been detailed to serve
as acting agent"
"You" cried Vanderyyn. ''Why, it
was all fixed for me to be appointed
agent. My uncle wired me that my
name would go through for the promo
ton without a hitch. So you pulled
the wires to cut me out?"
Il pulled no wires, Mr.. Vandervyn,"
Hardy coldly met the accusation. "On
my return from the islands, last month,
asked for a detail to active service
in the open, preferably here in the
| northwest. on account OF my health
do you mean to say you did not
ask for this place in Particular"
mo. The detail was given me be-
cause of the killing of the late agent
and the reported restlessness of the
| tribe
you'll find these ugly bucks differ
ent from Moros.''
Perhaps" said Hardy. He looked
at the two big, lumpy sacks that were
dashed on the blackboard. You had
started for the railroad?'
'Pere and Mr.. Van wished to ship
out the ore" explained the girl.
"Ore?" inquired Hardy.
'WeIl, yes, it's a sort of ore" ad-
mitted Dupont. you see, me and"
''Pll make it clear to Captain Hardy
in two words, Jake" broke in Van
1 n Il L. 81
with a frank, direct gaze. you see,
| captain, some of the Indians have been
| getting ore, back in the mountains.
Jake trades them goods for it. The
barter has been a good thing for them,
and so far, believe, Jake has lost
nothing"
| Dupont narrowed his shrewd gray
eyes as if calculating. 'Well, no, that's
no lie. Cap. Take it in the long run, I
| amt lost nothing. 1t might figure out
I've broke even or mebbe some better"
| Vandervyn winked at Hardy. when
| an Indian trader admits he may have
| done some better than to have come
out even, we can guess what that
means"
Nom dun CHEN =" grumbled Dupont.
"Ain't the risk to count?"
''It has been an unnecessary risk for
you to keep your daughter on the res
ervation after the killing of Mr.. No
gen. reproved Hardy. ST presume she
| is now going away, not to return until
| the trouble has passed.
''You are quite mistaken, Captain
Hardy" said the girl. ST am going for
| the drive and to send off mail order.
We can rely on the police. Anyway,
none of the tribe would hurt me-"
Dupont scratched his head and NUT
tered: 'Weli, mebbe so. You can't al
ways tell what they'll do"
''Why, PEREZ" exclaimed Marie, "you
know there's not the slightest danger
to me-"
"Wen. mebbe MOTTO you" he &C
quiesced.
yet it will be advisable for you to
remain away until have the situation
well in hand,'' said Hardy.
| The girls eyes flashed at the slight
suggestion of dictatien. '.Pll do as 1
please, thank you," she rejoined.
In this instance you may" agreed
Hardy, "since your father admits that
you are in no danger. Otherwise I
would order you to remain away"
you'd dare to order met"
| Certainly. You should know the
scope Of the agents authority. 1t in
cludes the right to order off the reser-
walton anyone not a member of the
tribe"
The girl smiled mockingly. ''You for
get told you 1 am a quarterbreed."
"Marie!' demonstrated Vandervyn.
mind your own business!" she
flashed back at him. Il am not
ashamed that I'm a member of the
tribe, and I don't care how soon he
knows it, even if he is. an officer of
your little American army"
She turned upon Hardy, flushed, de-
faint, naughty. my mother was the
granddaughter of Sitting Bull. What
have you to say to that, Mr.. West
Pointer?"
Nothing, Miss Dupont. unless" he
paused, smiled and unless
it is to remark that am glad the po-
lice are so near"
| The girls eyes flashed with anger.
With a swift movement she bent over
and snatched her driving-whip from
ANYTHING BUT A HIGHBR0W!