The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-02-17


concerned, and I'm dead sure She
''Stop!" commanded Hardy. Leave
your daughter out of this
You've got to tell me how I'm
going to do it," replied Dupont in an
injured tone. eff don't git my share
In the mine, Mr.. Van can't afford to
take her; and you won't have nc
show. But you git in right with Marie
and she'd work her hands to the bone
Tor. you. She amt no common breed
girl, neither. You know that. Shed
be real lady, if she had money
only you amt going 20 give her nc
chance"
''She knows that I wish to marry
her." said Hardy.
Think she believes that when
you're going to rob me and her of a
fortune?"
Hardy looked directly at the temp
ter, his eyes clear and resolute, though
his face was white and drawn. cit is
OF no use, Dupont. 1 shall do what ]
consider my duty"
Dupont's face darkened. $50 that's
what 1 git for saving your life. You
amt got particle of gratitude, and
you don't care hang about her"
II must beg to differ with YOU" said
Hardy. 'But 1 cannot expect you to
understand my position"
Dupont drew out his pipe and re-
turned to his seat on the mine-dump,
to brood on his wrongs in mOrose ST.
ience- Hardy thoughtfully walked
back to the cabin, drew out a writing
pad from one OF his saddlebags and
began to draft a semiofficial letter to
the most influential of his few &C
quaintanceS in Washington.
He soon became so intent that he
did not notice the half-dozen figures
in dark blue uniform that came swing
ing down the PERCEPTIONS mountain
side above the terrace. When at last
he finished the letter and looked up,
he saw all the members of the police
| escort drawn up in line before him,
their Swarthy faces alight with re-
spectful friendliness. Their sergeant
uttered a cultural word of salutation,
and began making signs.
Hardy smiled, shook his head, and
looked around for an interpreter. Du-
pont still sat sulking on the mine
dump, but Marie and Vandervyn
were coming back up the mountain
side. They appeared only a few
yards away, as Hardy glanced about.
His lips drew tense when he per-
ceived the girls happy bushes and
| the look with which Van0ervyn was
regarding her half-aVerted face.
At sight of Hardy she Strengthened
with proud disdain, and would have
Immediately gone around into the
cabin had he not spoken.
Pardon me, Miss Dupont These
men wish to report to me. May 1 ask
you to interpret for them?''
The girl turned coldIy to the ser
geant, who at once poured out an i'm
FASHIONED defamation, emphasized
with swift-fOrmed signs. He was still
talking, when Dupont sulIenIy sham
bled over from the mine-dump. His
discontinued face darkened still more
when he came within hearing Of the
speakers.
At last the sergeant finished his i'm
promptu grafton. Without looking at
Hardy, Marie gave the substance of
the speech with contemptuous curt
ness:
HE says they think you were very
brave to follow the shooter int the
broken mountain. They are very
sorry that they could not again find
the trail of the bad Indian after los
| ing it on the bare rocks from which
he must have shot Charlie"
''Ten them that is all right. The
fellow thought I was the enemy of
his tribe. He will soon learn bet
ter. Neither he nor any other will
again attack me-
Eyes, you have talked Thunderbolt
into believing you the tribes dear
est friend" ironically replied Marie
These silly fellows trailed you to
the chiefs camp, and have swallowed
whole the account OF the wonderful
good things you are going to do for
the tribe. All this gush and fuss was
| over that and your big heart
Regardless of the mockery in the
girls eyes, Hardy turned to smile and
nod at the policemen in acknowledge
ment of their kindly feeling.
Dupont muttered a curse, and ven
| tured an ilI-humored remark Ioud
enough to reach Hardy's ears: 1.-THE
| whole bunch'd sing a different tune
if I told them how he turned down
the chance to give the tribe half
what's in our mine''
Chuck if. JakeI'' interposed Van
dervyn, with a good-humOred smile
that surprised Hardy no less than the
trader. Its up to US to take our
medicine We know it viii not be to
the best interests of the tribe The
responsibility, however, is his
"You amt going to throw down, are
your exclaimed Dupont.
"What else can we do? mildly
asked vandervyn- 1.-The game is I'D. -
What Il the government don't
make it no rush, but has the entry
men draw lOts! objected Dupont. Il
been fool enough to show Cap through
the diggings and tell him what we