Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-01-02

i
Ger and gentleman" the man purred
in his oiliest tone. He handed over a
packet. Here are the papers reliev-
ing you, and my appointment. I'm the
new agent. l held them back to give
young Vandervyn the chance to spring
his pleasant little surprises on you.'
very considerate," said Hardy. He
opened and read the official document
with care, pocketed his own, and hand
ed the other back to the new agent.
Very good. Now, if you will examine
the accounts of the chief clerk and the
issue clerk. have brought them down
to date, together with my report"
The new agent glanced at the papers
and took up pen. You've certified
their correctness. That's enough for
me. I'll give you my o. K. of the turn
over"
"You would oblige me by checking
the property in the warehouse"
Waste of time, captain. You'll
want to be starting for the railroad.
We made night of it. Commission
ers' heads are sore this morning. They
want to get to work. and this is the
best place. can loan you my touring
car to take you over to the railroad"
THANK you. l prefer to ride my
mare" said Hardy. Il shall ask you,
however, to send one of the police with
my trunk In Dupont's blackboard"
"Pll send it. in the motor. There's
a lot more of our own baggage to be
brought out from the railroad" in
sisted the new agent.
He receipted Hardy's papers, and
went to hunt up the chauffeur of the
second car. Hardy took his private pa
pers and the reports that he wished to
mail, and went over to his quarters to
pack his baggage. Dupont sent a po-
liceman to fetch Hardy's mare and
came in to offer his big hand
Hope you amt going off with no
hard feelings, Cap" he said.
Hardy gravely shook hands with
him.
"None, this morning" he assured.
"a man cannot afford to cherish en-
nifty. / shall ask you to go with me to
the tepee of the head chief"
Dupont hesitated, and ended by
complying with the request. They
found old Ti-owakonza seated in his
tepee, waiting for the white chiefs to
call a council. When, with Duponts
aid, Hardy explained that he must go
away, the noble old chiefs stolidity
fell from him like a mask, and he
rose to cry out in imprisoned speech
against the departure of the tribes
true friend. Hardy could only express
his deep regret, and repeat that he had
to obey the orders of his own head
chief. When he had explained the
report on irrigation that he was mail
ing to the Indian bureau, he exchanged
trifling gifts of friendship with the
chief and tore himself away.
The policeman was waiting with the
mare. Hardy gave him a coin and
swung into the saddle.
zone last word. Dupont" he said
Kindly tell your daughter what l said
| about not cherishing enmity."
"How about Mr.. Van?" questioned
Dupont.
"You need say nothing to him from
me. But" Hardy bent over in the
saddle to bring his stern face near
the traders 81 advise you to watch
that young man."
Dupont stood for some time staring
after the officer. When he started for
his store, before which a crowd of In
dams were waiting, his shrewd eyes
were narrow with calculation, and his
stubby forefinger was rubbing the griz-
zled hair under the brim. of his hat.
Hardy permitted the mare to choose
her own pace.
AS he neared the foot of the valley,
he saw Redbear and Oinna riding UP
the creek from the road crossing. The
girl dropped in ner saddle as If ill. A
nearer view confirmed his suspicious
Redbear was intoxicated, and he was
abusing his sister in the fouiest OF
language. When Hardy approached
the girl averted her shame-reddened
face, and dropped sill lower over her
pony's withers. Redbear leered inso-
lently at the intruder mad burst into o
drunken laugh. Though his body was
reeling. he had almost perfect control
of his tongue
Look at him, Weena; the" Here
followed a number of obscene cpl
thets. .Tbat man of yours lost NO
time. The tin soldier is on the run
Told you We had fixed him."
"You drunken dogl" said Hardy
Keep quiet and go home"
"Who's going TO make me?" chal-
lenged the halfbreed, his bloodshot
eyes flaring with vicious anger. 81
don't take any more orders from you
You'd try to put the killing Of Nogen
on lue-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 curI' cried Hardy. $50 you
permitted him?"
Oinna threw up her head with the
courage of outraged innocence.
ssWhy should he stop him from TAX
ing me?" she shriiled. Il am only a
breed girl, but my man loves me, me
onlyi / had right to be his wife if
l wanted to-"
His wife?" incredulouSly exclaimed
Hardy. "A man of his stamp never
could have married YOU"
HE did he didi" insisted Oinna.
q 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 white
man"
At the very gates of the ruiPed city
| there is a great display of greenery. as