Meade County news., 1917-04-05
CHAPTER XIV.
A Lovers Promise.

a Lovers Promise.
When, midafternoon of the next day,
the two white men and the pair of In
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.
"It is very kind Of you to make the
Offer" replied Hardy in rather stiff
tone: "If Dupont is at home, may l
ask you to send him to the office"
Certainly" replied Vanderyyn, 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.
"S1ong. See you later. Be sure to
chop off your whiskers in time for
supper. You'll need to look your
best"
Dupont soon dumped into the
agency office, fairly oOzing with jovial
friendliness.
"Howdyl Howdy, Capw he greet
ed. Marie, she says she'll look to
see you at supper. Mr.. Van says you
wanted to see me. Anything l can
do, Cap, just call on NE. I'm ready
to call quits now, If you are"
Hardy accepted the proffered hand,
and exchanged a cordial grip.
"This pleases me very much, Du-
pont," he responded. 1--WE will all
now work together for the tribe. /
give you my best wishes that ycu
may win the mine."
1--WE, got a fair show to, seeing as
how you amt going to let on about it
in your report. Now, just tell me
what can do for you"
Merely a few words as interpre-
ter" said Hardy. 81 wish one of the
police at once to ride over to the
railroad with these kilograms and let
ters. The sooner 1 receive instruc-
tions 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"
"Ahl" exclaimed Hardy. 1--WE 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 cantering 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 quick-change toi-
lets. Yet he appeared at the door of
the Dupont house, Spick and span and
his beard clean shaven, without hav-
ing required his hostess to wait sup
per half 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 uptilted.
"There seems to have been gen.
eral misunderstanding of motives,
captain" she remarked with frank di-
rectness. 81 still consider that you
were unduly harsh, but l now under
stand that you meant we'll. and per
haps had some excuse. Reggie says
that we are all to work together for
the good of--the tribe" g-,-, s,.-e.
st pleases me very much to hear
you soy It."
"What interest have you In helping
them?" she Querled, evidently reluc-
tant to believe his motives unselfish,
ut means a good mark on his Of
fetal record" bantered VandervYn,