The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-10-11
CHAPTER X.


Wnen, Mt DUSK, dupont rOOe up TO-
his house, Hardy was still on the cot
on the porch. Vandervyn stood ut the
far end, putting hard NJ n cigar as he
watched Dupont approach.
The sound Of the traders blum voice
Weakened Hardy from his doze and
brought Marie to the door.
mo, not n track not one single sign
nowhere" Dupont was saying to Van
dervyn. Thought I'd ride In md send
out more of the p'leece with food"
Every good said Hardy. 1--WE must
track down the man, else others may
follow his example"
IThe next day the search for the
would-be assassin was continued, with
no better results than the first. II was
the same on the two succeeding days.
At last Dupont declared that there was.
no hope Of finding the mysterious lost
trail, and Hardy called In the track
ers.
The period of the search had been
as agreeable to Hardy as II had been
annoying to vandervyn. To check
vandervyn's woOing-or 1t may have
been to redouble his ardor through
jealousy-she spent as much time as
possible In Hardy's company. She
was so gracious that Hardy began tCr
show openly that he thought he might
have n fighting chance to win her
This made Vandervyn furious. Yet
he had to restrain himself from any
outburst.
Noon Of the fourth day Hardy stated
Mt dinner that he al quite himself
again and would start on the trip int
the mountains the next morning. Red
bear had not yet returned to tho
agency, and Dupont. In his friendfest
manner. offered his services as inter
prefer until the halfbreed should Join
the party.
When Hardy accepted this Offer
Vandervyn looked at him In his guile
less way and remarked In a casual
tone: with the tribe 80 uneasy, j
suppose You will want me to stay here
and look after Marie"
Marie objected 81 am a member OF
the tribe. II Pere is going into the
mountains. l am going with him."
NO! CTieu NunueTVyu.
II cannot permit that" declared
Hardy.
"Oh, yes, you can and WILL" cons
dehtly replied the girl. IL shall be In
no danger. II anyone is attacked. IT.
will be you only"
Unobservant of vandervyn's look,
Dupont paused with u knifeful of food
halfway TO his mouth to agree with his
daughter: "Ain't none OF 'em what
wants to lift her scalp. She'd be safer
n me and you, Mr.. Van-which W
good us saying dead safe"
"Yct II I should be attacked?' said
Hardy.
"If you are, II went be no genera
outbreak, Cap. II will be n few young
hoods a.luying for you, or mebbe,
just one, like the buck done down at
the coulee."
you see" argued Marie. "You are
the only one in danger of attack. II
Reggie and | 90, rs we'll as Pere, there
will be that much less chance of q
small party firing at YOU"
"Very WELL" acquiesced Hardy. Il
rely on your fathers judgment. n
there Is the slightest chance Of danger
to you, he should know II. But as you
are to be with the party, l shall TAKE
along II squad Of police. Mr.. Wander
vyn, YOU may remain Ia charge Of the
agency, II you prefer"
"No, thqnks," snapped vandervyn.
IF you intend to let Marie run the
risk Of getting into n massacre, ! most
certainly shall go along"
The girl was unusually gracious 70
Hardy Mt supper, At breakfast she di.
yided her smiles between the two with
strict inpartinlity. But when, shortly
before sunrise, the party started OF up
the valley, ilardy hogan talking about
tribal customs with Dupont and be-
came so e~ngrossed In the discussion
that lie failed to give his usual court
eous attention to Marie. Vanderyyn
was quick 10 make the most OF the
girls plquc. The h~alf.dO2en Indian no.
Ice of the escort were strung out In
front with the pack horses. lie sug.
gested that II would be well 10 avoid
the dust by getting In the lead.