The Lamar register., 1917-01-24
CHAPTER x.
A, the Broken Mountain.

far end, putting hard ut cigar as ne
watched Dupont approach.
The sound of the traders blum voice
Weakened Hardy from his doze and
brought Marie to the door.
mo, not a track not one single sign
nowhere" Dupont was saying to Van
dervyn. Thought I'd ride in and 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"
The next day the search for the
would-be assassin was continued, with
no better results than the first. 1t 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 1t had been
annoying to Nandervyn. 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 to
show openly that he thought he might
have a fighting chance to win her.
This made Vnndervyn furious. Yet
he had to restrain himself from any
outburst.
Noon of the fourth day Hardy stated
ut dinner that he was quite himself
again and would start on the trip into
the mountains the next morning. Red
bear had not yet returned to the
agency, and Dupont, in his friendliest
manner, offered his services as inter
prefer until the halfbreed should join
the party.
When Hardy accepted this offer.
Yandervyn looked at him in his guile
less way and remarked in a casual
tone: with the tribe 50 uneasy,
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, 1 am going with him"
mol" cried Vandervyn.
81 cannot permit that" declared
Hardy.
"Oh, yes, you can and will" conf
IDENTIFY replied the girl. 81 shall be In
no danger If anyone is attacked 1t
will be you only"
Unobservant of Vandervyn's look.
Dupont paused with knifeful Of food
halfway to his mouth to agree with his
daughter: Amt none of EN- what
wants to lift her scalp. Shed be safer
n me and you, Mr.. van-which is
good as saying dead safe"
yet II should he attacked" said
Hardy.
''If you are, it won't be no general
outbreak, Cap. II will be few young
bloods a-laying 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 20. as well ms Pere, there
will be that much less chance Of a
small party firing ut you"
VERY we'll" acqulesced Hardy. 81
rely on your fathers judgment. II
there is the slightest chance of danger
to you, he should know II. nut as you
are to be with the party, shall take
along squad Of police. Mr.. Wander
vyn, You may remain in charge of the
agency il you prefer"
mo, thanks" 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 to
Hardy at supper At breakfast she di-
vided her smiles between the two with
strict impartiality But when. shortly
before sunrise. the party started OF up
the valley, Hardy began talking about
tribal customs with Dupont and be
came so engrossed in the discussion
that he failed to give his usual court
eous attention to Marie. Vandervyn
was quick to make the most of the
girls pique. The half-dozen Indian po-
lice of the escort were strung out in
front with the pack horses. He sug-
gested that 1t would be well to avoid
the dust by getting in the lead.
When Hardy saw the couple ride
ahead, he would have ordered them
back had not Dupont again assured
him that the girl would not be In the
slightest danger at any time during
the trip.
You were not so certain of the
friendliness of the Indians toward her
the other day." remarked Hardy.
Dupont scratched his head. well,
7 - - haN