Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1917-05-24


Redbear was intoxicated, and he was
abusing his sister in the foulest of
language. When Hardy approached,
the girl averted her shame-reddened
face, and dropped still lower over her
pony's withers. Redbear leered inso-
lently at the intruder mad burst into
drunken laugh. Though his body was
Keeling, he had almost perfect control
of his tongue
"Look at him, Weena; the" Here
followed number of obscene cpl
thets. "That man Of yours lost no
time. The tin soldier is on the run.
Told you we had fixed him."
"You drunken dog!" said Hardy.
keep quiet and 60 home"
"Who's going to make met" chal-
lenged the halfbreed, his bloodshot
eyes flaring with vicious anger. II
don't take any more orders from you.
You'd try to put the killing of Nogen
on me-try to make out it was me shot
him. and tried to shoot you those two
times! But Van fixed you. He prom
ised to keep you from putting me in
Jail. That's why let him have Weena
when we went into the mountains"
"You curl" cried Hardy. $50 you
permitted him?"
Oinna threw up her head with the
courage of outraged innocence.
"Why should he stop him from TAX
ing met" she shrilled. Il am only q
breed girl, but my man loves me, me
only! had right to be his wife If
I wanted to-"
"His wife?" incredulously exclaimed
Hardy. "a man of his stamp never
could have married you"
HE did! he did" insisted Olnna.
II thought you too kind to think I
would be bad girl. He married me
by tribal custom and the common-law
way Of white people,"
Hardy's sharp gaze softened with
pity. "You poor young innocent {!
Tribal custom is not binding on a white
man."
"But common-law marriage!" tri-
umphantly rejoined the girl In the
faith of her unquestioning love. "He
said white people often get married
that way"
Hardy burst out between pity and
Indignation: '.The scoundrel You
poor child! Common-law marriage is
only half-marriage at best. To make
it even that much Of tie, 1t is neces-
sary that man and woman should
live togther as husband and wife
openly. He kept this matter secret /;
he persuaded you and your brother to
tell no one-the scoundrel!"
Stricken with grief and shame, DIN
ma uttered moan and crouched down
over her pony's withcrs. with her face
in her hands. But the drink-crazed
brain Of Redbear comprehended only
that Hardy was berating his sisters
husband. He made an effort to
straighten in the saddle. and his right
hand fumbled eagerly for the hilt Of
his revolver. Hardy swerved his mare
alongside and reached out. Redbear
slumped from his saddle like sack of
grain.
Oinna slipped down to run to her
brother. But Hardy was quicker. He
threw himself on the half-dazed drunk
ard. A skil1ful wrench loosened the
stubborn clutch Of the others fingers
on the gun. Disarmed and perhaps
partly sobered by the shock. Redbear
stretched out on the dusty sod.
"Oh, he is hurt" gasped Oinna.
Hardy rolled the drunkard away
from her and spoke sternly: "He is
not hurt. Redbear, stand up!"
Redbear gathered himself together
and, aided by Oinna, staggered to his
feet. The ponies had cantered away.
Hardy led his mare around beside
Redbear, and he and Oinna, between
them. managed to lift the almost help
less man into the saddle. While they
were going the half-mile to the cabin,
Hardy led the mare, and Oinna walked
beside her brother to steady him in
his seat. Neither saw the rider who
rode up out of the creek bed beyond
the cabin and wheeled from view be-
hind the end wall.
When they reached the house, Hardy
helped Redbear dismount before the
door and handed him his unloaded re.
volver. He then lifted his hat to DIN
ma with utmost respectfulness.
Miss Redbear," he said, "you have
been wronged in q most despicable
manner. He has lied to you. You
must keep away from him. Go back
into the mountains with your grand
father. believe the rascal will soon
leave the reservation, and then you
will be free from him."
"Thanks for the prophecy, captain. -
came jeer from the end Of the cabin
I They stared about. and saw Wander
vyn standing ut the corner. his face
set in cynical smile.
$50 you've quit soldering and taken
to preaching" he sneered.
"O-o-oh" sighed Oinna, and she
crept toward the mocker, her hands
imploringly outstretched, her soft
eyes brimming over with tears Of pitt
full entreaty. "Tell him-tell him II
isn't true! Tell him our marriage II
a real marriage!"
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