The Lamar register., 1917-01-17
CHAPTER VIII.


bcst-Laio schemes.
Hardy had gone to the Duponts' for
supper when Vandervyn returned to
the agency. He made a hAsty toilet
and followed. Marie met him with
marked coldness. This, however, melt
ed before he had finished his report &c
Hardy. All agreed that the old chief
probably would take fancy TO Oinnn
and that, as a result, there would be
a fair chance Of paclfying the tribe,
When Hardy turned TO the girl, he
found her and Vanderyyn exchanging
glances and murmuring remarks His
habltual gravity softened to a smile
Of wistful sadness. At the first oppor
tunity he excused himself Midnight
had passed before the light IN the little
citifed parlor of the Dupont house was
extinguished.
When, at sunrise. Hardy went fol
breakfast. Murie's eyes were very
bright and her look was pensive. Sh,
ate little, and her manner toward Har
dy was cold and ungracious
After the officer left. Dupont squint
ed across the table at her and begaI
TO scratch his head.
"You and Mr.. Van burned a lot OF
coal oil last night. He didn't git far
enough along to ask you to hitch "
with him. did he?"
A red blush famed in the girls
cheeks. Without looking up, she muir
INJURED a regretful NO"
Guess he figures he'll wait and Sc,
If Hardy is going to bust US up. Lik,
as not he'll skip back east If Hard,
gifts sore and chokes of our hold OF
the mine"
"what do you meant He'd sen,
Reggie AWAY. The stiff, solemn ole
fogy-I hate him -
Easy. easy, girl =" soothed Dupont
mo use plunging when you're hitchet
TO the Stumbling post. Just now hei
got us roped He'll have us all hog
tied II we go 10 bucking. We've 20
to make him think we're gentled"
"What If we act toward him as w,
feel?"
you don't savvy about that mine
Me and Nogen discovered 1t and paiC
honest for developing 1t, as you know
Well, We let Mr.. Van in on it. Their
NOgen up and gifts killed. That maker
1t half and half between me and Mr.
Van, according to all that's fair ant
square. But do you believe Hardy vii
look at it that way? Not by a-con
siderable. He'll talk about 1t being tn,
tribes. just because it's on the reser
yation."
Il seer" The girls eyes flashed, ano
her nostrils dilated He will rob yot
and Reggie Of a fortune-yet you wisl
me to be nice to him ~
you bet I do! Can't you git tn,
poIntl He amt going to be blunet
into quitting That means we got Il
make friends with him or lose tn,
mine"
oh, So that is it7'
yep. Worst of It Is he's one o.
them there fellows what stand Sc
straight they lean backwards W,
talked to him about how it would hell
the tribe if he joined US in opening IN,
mine. He was mighty offish Cues
wen have TO give him NOgen's third {,
get him into our camp"
"what Il shame The mine is your,
and RegGie's. He hasn't done thinl
toward developing it
Il know. But he's the agent. He
got Us ropcd. He can rob US Of oui
mine II We don't make friends win
him. Now do you suvvyI"
The girls thick black eyebrows me-
In a frown OF yeXation. IF he IS
man whose friendship must be bought
l do not wish 10 be pleasant to him.
ITS business, Marie. There alnr
no two ways about it. Mr.. Wins hang
ing fire. awaiting to see If we lose
the mine. If we do, he can't afford &c
marry no poor girl OF a reservation
VERY well. shall make myself
se-sSasls = C-2-=t= 9::,ag Rnt vail