The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1917-01-04
CHAPTER ~.
Condolences.

refined In their sweating pOhIeS J"
lone when they first caught sight OF th'
party on the butte side OF the coulee
They struggled down the gulley at
walk, eight shOrt-haired Indian ponce
men in blue uniform, and a tall, loose
lipped young halfbreed In ordinary
frontier clothes. As they stopped III
the stream TO water their ponies 'ncI
furtlyely studied the rider who was lp
preaching on the big rangy mare
"You're too late Charlie" called
ynndervyn. Captain Hardy climbed
the butte, and the whole bunch III
out"
"Soldlers? queried the halfbreed,
"No, he's alOne-our new agent ex'
planned Vanderyyn as his pony brought
min alongside Hardy ut the edge OF the
stream. captain, this Is Charlie Red
bear, our Issue clerk and interpreter
"Interpreteri" repeated Hardy. Red
bea, 10 any of the police understand
Enghsh?"
"No, sir, only few words" mumbled
the halfbreed.
'Tell them | am captain OF the
horse soldlers--the LOngknives. | have
been sent here to be the agent"
Redbear interpreted in musical La
kotah, accompanying his words with
swift signs. The swarthy policemen
grunted approvIngly, aud their leader
rolled out sOnOrous reply. The half
breed interpreted mechanically: "He
says your eye Is straight. He says
they are ready to trail and fght the In
dams whose hearts are bad"
-They are not to pursue the party
ordered Hardy, II shall call Il coun-
ell of the chiefs, and ascertain the
cause OF the tribal unrest. Tell them" D"
Redbear hesltated, and looked uncer-
tainly at Vandervyn. The chief clerk
spoke to him In sharp reproof: "Do as
you're told, Charlie. Captain Hardy Is
cow In command of the reservation"
The halfbreed stared In astOnlsh'
ment, but hastened to interpret. Al
once the faces Of the policemen be-
came stOlld. They cast covert glances
at Vandervyn. without seeming to no
dee their sudden change of manner,
Hardy selected four to act as escort to
the Indian trader and his daughter
The rest of the party followed him
back up the gulley.
From the first the mare walked out
In the lead. She would soon have left
behind even Vandervyn's qulck-step'
ping pinto had not her rider happened
20 glance about and catch the troubled
expression on the younger mans face
Hardy waited for him to come along
side. and gravely remarked: II wish
TO express my regret, Mr.. Vandervyn
that my detail here has deprived you
Of your expected promotion"
Vandervyn's small mouth curved
with a cynical smile, but softened to a
more agreeable expression us he met
the others gaze. "You admit it2' he
muttered.
"Havlng accepted the detail, cannot
now ask TO be relieved" said Hardy
-But the extra pay was not one Of the
inducements. Permit me to suggest
that arrangements can be made to d.
vert to your salary the amount In ex
cess of my regular compensation as m
officer"
The offer was as unexpected as |,
was generous. Vandervyn flushed blt
his lip, and replied half inaudibiy
-You needn't think Just because No
that's not quite You may mean well
but that's no excuse"
"My fault, sir. Pardon me-" apollo
gized Hardy.
Vandervyn looked ahead at IN,
mountains, considered, and turned {,
his companion with what seemed {
cordial smile. ~ nm not used to be
ing patronlzed, captain; but as you die
not mean 1t that way"
"Not at ALL"
Vandervyn nodded. 'YOu now un
derstand that I'm not one of the com
mon run of Indian service employees
1 was slated for attache to our EN-
bassy at the Court of Saint james
celebrated the coming event with som,
friends. and wound up by heavng
brick through window of the Whit
House. Uncle shipped me out here un
I'll the storm should blow over"
Hardy may have recalled the hnzlng
In which he had shared at West Point
His only comment was; "You wer
fortunate to get any appointment"
"Oh. l don't know" carelessly reptile,
vandervyn. 81 didn't wake the presI
dent, and l had some of my wad left
The watchman sent me home In a tax
But the Internal CRATER must hav
peached. | got this instead OF Lon
DON"
"Best thing for you"
~You think so?" said yanderyyn, hi
yide-Open eyellds dropping. "rve bee
six months In this God-forsaken jumI
ing-off place. wouldn't have staye
six days II II hadn't been for Marie"
-Aflss Dupont seems to be yer
spirited young woman" dryly con
mented Hardy.
"Wait till you see her put on doI
She was three or four years at cor
vent In Ottawa. They must hav
farmed her out rs parlor-mald 1
-xv-.s U.lal.t. f..s.lI. -.