Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1917-02-08
THE QUARTERBREED



vandervyn laughed. Redbear start
ed staggering toward him. the empty
revolver concealed behind his back
with drunken cunning.
"You think It's funny" he muttered,
funny joke! You own up that mar
riage with her wasn't real like you
said II was"
"What II 1t wasn'tT' bantcred Van
dervyn. ut was good enough for
halfbreed sQuaw." He smiled ut
Hardy. Eyes. good enough for any
halfbreed or quarterbreed. Ill have
Marie next"
Hardy tensed, yet instantly checked
the wrath that would have impeiled
him to hurl himself ut the throat OF
the mocker. Redbear lacked such iron
self-mastery. and liquor had nnmbed
his sense Of subserviency to Wander
vyn. At Marie's name his fury burst
out.
you liarl You theft" he yelled.
"She's minel You promised! Ill
show you, you" Cursing wildly. he
fiourished his revolver, and brought Il
down in wayering attempt TO take
aim.
.Stop! Stopl" Hardy cried to VAN
dervyn. TITS not ioadedi Stopl'
But vandervyn had already whipped
out his revolver. From the muxxle
leaped sheet OF flame. Redbenr flung
up his arms and pitched backward.
Swiftly vandervyn recocked his re-
volver and aimed II at Hnrdy.
"Put up your handsl Keep them
away from your coat!' he shouted In
fierce menace.
Hardy did not put up his hands. He
bent down to feel the heart Of the
halfbreed. Shrieklng with horror,
Oinna fell fainting across the body Of
her brother. Hardy looked up, grim
and quiet.
II hope you are satisfied" he said.
"You have killed him."
vandervyn kept his revolver pointed
Mt Hardy.
II shot In self-defense." he snaried.
Don't you make move. He had his
gun on me-"
ut was empty. called to you."
"You didn't--not till I had fired.
shot him down to save my life. TIL
shoot you, too. II you try to draw"
"Get out Of here!" ordered Hardy,
needless OF the threat. you've caused
trouble enough. Send the new agent
You can tell him that admit you seem
to have been justified"
vandervyn's menacing attitude re-
Taxed. He half lowered his revolver.
but kept wary watch on Hardy az
he backed away around the corner
of the cabin, and ran to jump on his
pony and gallop away. Hardy Ind
sprung up. But 1t was only to hasten
Into the house for water. He came out
with a half-iilled bucket. drew Oinna
over on her back, and dashed water
into her face. She opened her eyes.
saw him, and, reddening with shame.
turned her face aside. 1t happened
TO be toward her brother. Suddenly
she drew herself up on her elbow to
bend over the gray face.
"He--is not--dead" she gasped.
Redbear's lips were moving. Hardy
kneft to lift him up to a haif-sitting
position. He knew by grim experience
that with such 4 wound there was no
hope. but he also knew that Ii would
ease the agony to raise the injured
man. Oinna dampened her brothers
forehead. He muttered curse.
"Not that, boy" warned Hardy. "You
have only q few minutes"
Redbear seemingly did not hear him.
He repeated the curse: "The--l I'd
"a got him--way got Nogen-if you
hadn't unloaded--rny gum"
"You shot Nogen7' queried Hardy.
Speak outl You say you shot No
gent"
"He - wanted her Marie ~ same
way as yan--same way as--van said
you--wanted her. We--I--tried to get
you--twice-because he, Van, told me
you wanted Marie--that way. The
liar--the-- Ah-r-rhi"
From between the lips that had
parted to utter the curse there gushed
scarlet stream.
Hardy laid the body on the ground
and drew the distracted girl away by
main force.
"Come into the house." he ordered.
You must not look at him."
She offered only passive resistance.
When he had put her In chair, she
sat motionless, as IL dazed. her dry
eyes fixed on vacancy.
"This won't do" he said. "You
must 60 to your grandfather. ! can
not take you with me-. and besides"
He checked himself, caught up q
blanket, and went outdoors. When
presently he returned, she had not
moved. He fastened her scant ward
robe and few trinkets In blanket roll,
and led her out around the house,
carefully keeping himself between her
and the blanket-covered form on the
ground near the door. He had brought
her own and her brothers ponies to
the back Of the house. He dashed the
bundle on the dead mans saddle.
lifted the girl upon her pony, and
mounted his mare.
Halfway to the agency they met II