The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1917-02-15
CHAPTER XIV.
A Lovers Promise.

dian police emerged from the canyon
of Sioux creek into the agency valley,
Vandervyn was still as gay and good
humored as at the start Of the jour-
ney. He even volunteered to inter-
vene for Hardy with Marie.
ut Is very kind Of you to make the
OFFER" replied Hardy In rather a stiff
tone. "If Dupont Is at home, may l
ask you to send him to the officer
Certainly" replied Vandervyn, and
all the way down to the agency he
chatted genlally. When they came to
the level behind the warehouse, he
waved his hand In friendly parting.
"S'long. See you later. BE sure to
chop of your whiskers in time for
supper. You'll need to look your
best"
Dupont soon dumped into the
agency Office, fairly oozlng with jovial
friendllness.
"Howdy! Howdy, Cap" he greet
ed. "Marie, she says she'll look to
see you at supper. Mr.. Van says you
wanted to see me. Anything | can
do, Cap, just call on me. I'm ready
to call quits now, II you are"
Hardy accepted the proffered hand,
and exchanged q cordial grip.
"Thls pleases me very much, Du-
pont," he responded. "We will all
now work together for the tribe. /
give you my best wishes that you
may win the mine."
"We got q fair show to, seeing as
how you amt going to let on about 1t
in your report. Now, Just tell me
what l can do for you"
Merely a few words as interpre-
Ter" said Hardy. ~ wish n of the
police at once to ride over to the
railroad with these kilograms and let
tiers. The sooner / receive instruc-
lions to send the delegation to Wash
ingtOn, the better"
"That's no lie. Mr.. Van says the
money can't be appropriated till con-
gress meets, but the treaty Is fixed up
SOS the amount can be settled on and
the reservation ordered divided up by
the treaty commission"
"Ah!" exclaimed Hardy. I'VE may
get the agricultural lands allotted In
time for the planting of winter wheat.
Come; we will send off these tele-
grams and letters"
Since the return Of the party from
the mountains, not one of the police
but was more than willing to serve
the new agent. Two Of the younger
men were soon cantcring away down
the valley on their best ponies, proud
of the fact that they had been chosen
to make the night ride to the railroad.
Hardy returned to the office with
Dupont, and became deeply absorbed
in discussing ways and means for the
development of the Indians as farm
ers. When Dupont noted the hour,
there seemed scarcely time for even
one of the captains q~ulck-change toll
let's. Yet he appeared ut the door of
the Dupont house, spick and span ana
his beard clean shaven, without hay
ing required his hostess to wait sup
per half q minute.
/ AS he entered in response to Du-
| points hospitable below, there was a
perceptible hesltancy In his manner.
| Marie was seated at the far end Of the
room near Vandervyn. She rose, and
came forward to greet Hardy, her chin
proudly uItilted.
"There seems to have been a gen.
eral misunderstanding of motives,
captain" she remarked with frank di.
rectness. IL still consider that you
were unduly harsh, but l now under
stand that you meant well and per
haps had some excuse. Reggie says
that we are all to work together fol
the good of the tribe"
ut pleases me very much to hear
you say It."
"What. interest have you In helping
them?" she queried, evidently reluc'
tant to believe his motives unselish
st means a good mark on his Of
fetal record" bantered Vandervyn
every little thing counts on promo
tion-like merit marks at school,"
"You seel" agreed Hardy. 81 CAM
pretend to nltruism. l am ambitious
to stand we'll in my profession. If
make a good showing when given 6
detail, l put merit marks on my rec
ord, rs Mr.. Vandervyn has so apt.
expressed it."
Marie's challenging gaze softened
and she looked thoughtfully down n
her white hands.
isn't ever self sacrifice a form Of
selfshness?" she murmured.
The appearance of the Indian BIO!
in the dining room doorway checked
Hardy's reply.
During supper the girl remained
unusually thoughtful and silent. Har
DIV discussed with Dupont plans TO
the instruction of the tribe in agricul
ture. The idea had occurred to hin
that the government might permit hin
to build an irrigation system for tn
farming lands of the tribe, using In
dian laborers, and paying for tn,
work out OF money appropriated TO
the sale Of the miners. lands. Whei
vandervyn chose to listen, 1t wa
with a ~half-amused smile that did no
always cover the underlying cynica
irony. Most of the time he devoted
himself to an attempt to rally Mari
out of her thoughtfulness. Instead
of responding, she became more pen
sive. Harry attributed the girls half
- ..tAo.. 81 hta n,ncnnnn A