Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-01-02


indignation: THE scoundrel You
poor child! Common-law marriage is
only half-marriage at best. To make
it even that much of tie, it is neces-
sary that man and woman should
live t0gther as husband and wife
openly. He kept this matter secret |;
he persuaded you and your brother to
tell no one-the scoundrell"
Stricken with grief and shame, DIN
ma uttered a moan and crouched down
over her pony's withers, with her face
in her hands. But the drink-crazed
brain of Redbear comprehended only
that Hardy was berating 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 and reached out. Redbear
slumped from his saddle like 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 skillful 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: HE is
not hurt. Redbear, stand up!"
Redbear gathered himself together
and, aided by Oinna, 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-mile to the cabin,
Hardy led the mare, and Oinna 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 dismount before the
door and handed him his unloaded re-
volver. He then lifted his hat to DIN
ma with utmost reSpectfulneSS.
Miss Redbear," he said, you have
been wronged in most despicable
manner. He has lied to you. You
must keep away from him. Go back
into the mountains with your grand
father. 1 believe the rascal win soon
nn6 fhnn
will be free from him."
Thanks for the prophecy, captain, +"
came a 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-oh!" sighed Oinna, and she
crept toward the mocker, her hands
imploringly outstretched. her soft
eyes trimming over with tears of pitt
full entreaty. "Tell him-tel him il
isn't true! Tell him our marriage is
real marriage!"
"What fuss over little thing like
that!" he rallied.
The girl cringed back, and sank
down, in silent anguish to hide her
face.
"For shame, sir!" cried Hardy
"Have you no shred of decency?"
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 jokel You own up that mar
riage with her wasn't real like you
said 1t was"
"What If it wasn'tT' bantered Van.
dervyn., ut was good enough for q
halfbreed squaw." He smiled al
Hardy. Eyes, good enough for any
halfbreed or-quarterbreed. I'll have
Marie next"
Hardy tensed, yet instantly checked
the wrath that would have impelled
him to hurl himself at the throat of
the mocker. Redbear lacked such iron
self-mastery, and liquor had numbed
his sense of subserviency to Wander
yyn. AT Marie's name his fury burst
out
"You liarl You theft" he yelled
"She's mine You promised I'll
show you, YOU" Cursing wildly, he
fiourished his revolver, and brought il
down in a wavering attempt to take
aim.
STOP Stop!" Hardy cried to Van
dervyn. tits not loadedi Stopl"
But Vandervyn had already whipped
out his revolver. From the muzzle
leaped a sheet of flame. Redbear flung
I'D his arms and pitched backward
Swiftly yandervyn recocked his re-
volver and aimed it at Hardy.
"Put up your hands,! Keep them
away from your coat!'' he shouted in
fierce menace.
Hardy did not put ny his hands. He
bent down to feel the heart of the
halfbreed. Shrieking with horror
Oinna fell fainting across the body of
her brother. Hardy looked up, grim
and quiet.
Il hope you are SatlSned, he said.
"You have killed him."
Vandervyn kept his revolver pointed
at Hardy.
'I shot in self-defense." he snarled.
Don't you make a move. He had his
gun on me"
1T was empty. l called to you"
"You didn't-not till / had fired. !
shot him down to save my life. I'll
shoot you. too. if you try to draw"
sGet out of here ~ ordered Hardy.
needless of the threat. You've caused
trouble enough. Send the new agent.
You can tell him that admit you seem
TO have been justified"
vandervyn's menacing attitude re-
Taxed. He half lowered his revolver.
but kept wary watch on Hardy as
~s~~S~~~~~-~~~>---~>o~~
one great tomb.
Before you come to Pompeii you
think that there VIII be something