Williams news., 1917-04-26

complying With the request. They found old T..owa-kOnZa seated in his tepee, waiting for the white chiefs to call council. When, with DupOnt'S aid, Hardy explained that he must go away, the noble old chiefs stolidity fell from him like a mask, and he rose to cry out in impassioned speech against the departure of the tribes true friend. Hardy could only express his deep regret. and repeat that he had to obey the orders of his own head chief. When he had explained the report on irrigation that he was mail- ing to the Indian bureau, he exchanged trif1ing gifts of friendship with the chief and tore himself away.
 The policeman was waiting with the mare Hardy gave him coin and swung into the saddle.
 "One last word, Dupont" he said. kindly tell your daughter what said about not cherishing enmity."
 "How about MT. Van?" questioned Dupont.
 l "You need say nothing to him from me. But" Hardy bent over in the saddle to bring his stern face near the traders T advise you to watch that young man."
 Dupont stood for some time staring after the officer. When he started for his store, before which a crowd of h. dians were waiting, his Shrewd eyes were narrow with calculation, and his stubby forefnger was rubbing the griz- Zled hair under the brim of his hat.
 Hardy norroiffod tho p,oro to cbooco her own pace.
 As he neared the foot of the valley, he saw Redbear and Oinna riding up the creek from the road crossing. The girl dropped in her saddle as if i'll. A nearer view confirmed his suspicious. Redbear was intoxicated, and he was abusing his sister in the foulest of language. When Hardy approached, the girl averted her shame-reddened face, and dropped still lower over her pony's withers. Redbear leered inso- lently at the intruder mad burst into a drunken laugh. Though his body was reeling, he had almost perfect control of his tongue
 Look at him, Weena; the" Here followed a number of obscene cpl thets. "That man of yours lost no time. The tin soldier is on the run. Told you we had fixed him."
 "You drunken dog!" said Hardy. Keep quiet and go home"
 Who's going to make me" chal- lenged the halfbreed, his bloodshot eyes flaring with vicious anger. q don't take any more orders from you. You'd try to put the killing of Nogen on me-try to make out it was me shot him, and tried to shoot you those two times! But Van fixed you. He prom ised to keep you from putting me in jail. That's why let him have Weena when we went into the mountains
 'You curl" cried Hardy. "So you permitted him?'
 Oinna threw up her head with the courage of outraged innocence
 ''Why should he stop him from talk ing me?" she shrilled. q am only a breed girl, but my man loves me, me only! Ihad a right to be his wife if wanted to-
 His wife?" incredulously exclaimed Hardy. "A man of his stamp never could have mirried you"
 'He did he didI" insisted Oinna. q thought you too kind to think I would be bad girl. He married me by tribal custom and the common-law way of white people,"
 Hardy's sharp gaze softened with pity. You poor young innocent Tribal custom is not binding on a white man."
 "But cOmmon-law marriage! tri- umphantly rejoined the girl in the faith of her unquestioning love. "He said white people often get married that way"
 Hardy burst out between pity and 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 a man and woman should live togther as husband and wife openly. He kept this matter secret ; he persuaded you and your brother to tell no one-the scoundrel
 Stricken with grief and shame, Oin- na uttered 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, RedbeaI stretched out on the dusty sod.
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