Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1917-05-10
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
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.
ut is very kind of you to make the
OFFER" replied Hardy in rather stiff
tone. IF Dupont is at home, may I
ask you to send him to the officer
Certainly" replied vandervyn, and
oil the way down to the agency he
chatted genially. when they came to
the level behind the warehouse, he
waved his hand in friendly parting.
"S'long. See you later. Be sure to
chop of 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, Capt" he greet
ed 'Marie, she says she'll look to
see you at supper. Mr.. Van says you
want:d to see me. Anything can
do, Cap, just call on me. I'm ready
to call quits now, If you are"
aardy accepted the proffered hand,
end exchanged 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 you
may win the mine."
1--WE got fair show to. seeing as
how you amt going to let on about it
in your report. Now, just tell mo
what can do for you.'
Merely a few words as interpre-
ter" said Hardy. II wish one Of the
police at once to ride over to the
railroad with these kilograms and let
tiers. The sooner receive instruc-
tons to send the delegation to Wash
ington, the better"
'sThat'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"
"Ah!" exclaimed Hardy. 1--WE may
get the agricultural lands allotted in
time for the planting of winter wheat.
Come; we will send of 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 toll
lets. Yet he appeared ut the door of
the Dupont house, spick and span and
his beard clean shaver, 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 hesitancy in his. manner.
Marie was seated ut the fur end of the
room near Vandervyn. She rose, and
came forward to greet Hardy, her chin
proudly uptilted.
"There seems to have been a gen.
eral misunderstanding Of motives,
captain" she remarked with frank d.
rectness. II still consider that you
were unduly harsh, but now under
stand that you meant well and per-
haps had some excuse. Reggie says
that we are all to work together for
the good of the tribe"
1T pleases me very much to hear
you say it."
"What interest have you in helping
them" she queried, evidently reluc-
tant to believe his motives unselfsh.
1T means q good mark on his o..
ncial record" bantered Vanderyzn,