The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1917-01-26

bring the chiefs over to a nearby
bowlder, where they could more con-
veniently make their marks on the
paper.
Hardy offered no objection to this.
The council had finished it's Work, and
there was nothing suspicious about
Vandervyn's suggestion that the
bowlder would afford an easy place
for the chiefs to sign. He rose and
returned to his mare. while the crowd
Hooked off to the bOwlder after their
chiefs. He did not see Vandervyn
lay out two papers on the top Of the
rock, nor did he hear the smooth ex-
PLANTATION that the agent wanted the
chiefs to sign two copies of the memo
randum. This statement was unhesi-
tatingly interpreted by Redbear. and
the chiefs, who knew by experience
that most agency papers were signed
in duplicate, made their crosses and
thumb-priItS as fast as Vandervyn
wrote their names on the two papers.
Oinna ventured to whisper to her
brother that the papers did not look
alike. He hastily repeated the remark
to Vandervyn. The girl cringed close
to her grandfather. But Vandervyn
showed no anger. He smiled at her
in a manner that brought blissful
glow into her soft eyes, and explained
that one paper gave the proceedings
of the council in full, while the other
consisted of brief notes. He then MUIR
INJURED to her something that at first
brought shadow into her joyous face,
but in the end left her radiant with
happiness.
When the leading men of the tribe
had signed the papers and Redbear
and Oinna had attested as witnesses,
Vandervyn thrust the documents into
his pocket and went to rejoin Hardy.
AS he handed over the paper that
Hardy had signed, he remarked that,
If there was no objection, Redbear
and his sister would remain in the
mountains with their grandfather I'M
til word should be received from the
government for the tribal delegation
TO come on to Washington.
"You are ready to return to the
agency with me?" asked Hardy.
1--WE can start at once, if you wish,"
assented Vandervyn.
"Very WELL" said Hardy. 1.-The girl
shall remain here, and you will come
with me-"
Vandervyn shrugged, smiled good
and yaulted into his sad
die.
Still doubtful of his companion,
Hardy took the ponies of Redbear and
Oinna in lead. and rode over to where
the brother and sister stood in the
midst Of their grandfather's immedi-
ate family. When the girl confirmed
statement that she wished
to remain in the mountains, he took
ceremOniOus leave of the noble old
chief, and rode off to rejoin his party.
During the brief interval Wander
vyn's gay humor had disappeared. He
met Hardy with q frOwn, and held out
one Of the letters that he had written
that morning. Seeing that it was adj
dressed to himself, Hardy tore open
the envelope and read the brief note
within.
$50" he said, fixing the younger
man with level glance, 'your res
ignation-to take effect at once. 1t is
dated yesterday"
1T would have been dated and pre-
sented week ago if I'd had the
slightest idea you were going to insult
me as you did yesterday" Vandervyn
burst out angrily. you'd have had it
on the spot if 1 could have brought my
self to borrow your pen and paper"
81 see," said Hardy. He reflected a
moment, and remarked: "There seems
to be no reason why 1 should not ac-
cept your resignation, if you insist
upon my acting on it,"
II do" said Vandervyn. "Ive bad
enough of your bullying. I'm cree
man now-nOt your clerk"
"You will change your tone, sir, if
YOU wish to ride in my company" said
Hardy, with cool self-control that
checked the others anger.
"Gad! if only you weren't such a
self-righteOus prig" exclaimed the
younger man. you're so sure you
can show cards and spades to the an
gels! I'm out for the good things of
life, and I make no bones over it. But
that doesn't prevent me from being a
blooming benefactor as well. If you
wish to know the real reason why I'm
resigning, it's because l have planned
to 90 on to Washington with the dele
cation, and pull wires to get the tribe
big slice of graft for their mineral
lands"
Hardy saw the frank sincerity in his
companions eyes, and responded to
the assertion with an instant apology !:
"Mr. Vandervyn, I beg your pardon
for misjudging you. At times your
conduct has been ill-advised, but I
no longer doubt your good intentions"
1T takes an officer and gentleman to
eat crow as if it were quail! !" rallied
Vandervyn with seemingly genial sar-
casm. "Do I understand that my res
ignation is accepted"
eff you insist"
81 do. Now that is settled. We
make the return trip as equals" said
Vandervyn, and, as if freed from all
rancor by the thought, he fell into a
mood Of suave gayety.