The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1917-02-01

BoPNAs
Hardy offered no objection to this.
The council had finished its work, and
there was nothing suspicious about
Vandervyns suggestion that the
bOwlder would afford an easy place
for the chiefs to sign. He rose and
returned to his mare, while the crowd
tlocked off to the bowlder after their
chiefs. He did not see Vandervyn
lay out two papers on the top of the
rock, nor did he hear the smooth ex-
PLANTATION that the agent wanted the
chiefs to sign two copies of the memo
randum. This statement was unhesi-
tatingly interpreted by Redbear, and
the chiefs, who knew by experience
that most agency papers were signed
in duplicate, made their crosses and
thumb-prints as fast as Vandervyn
wrote their names on the two papers.
Oinna ventured to whisper to her
brother that the papers did not look
alike. He hastily repeated the remark
to Vandervyn. The girl cringed close
to her grandfather. But Vandervyn
showed no anger. He smiled at her
in a manner that brought a blissful
glow into her soft eyes, and explained
that one paper gave the proceedings
of the council in full while the other
consisted Of brief notes. He then mur-
INJURED to her something that at first
brought a shadow into her joyous face,
but in the end left her radiant with
happiness.
When the leading men of the tribe
had signed the papers and Redbear
and Oinna had attested as witnesses
Vandervyn thrust the documents into
his pocket and went to rejoin Hardy
AS he handed over the paper that
Hardy had signed, he remarked that
if there was no objection, Redbear
and his sister would remain in the
mountains with their grandfather un.
til word should be received from the
government for the tribal delegation
to come on to Washington.
you are ready to return to the
agency with me?" asked Hardy.
I'VE can start at once, If you wish,
assented Vandervyn.
Every WE'LL" said Hardy. "The cir
shall remain here, and you will come
with me-"
Vandervyn shrugged, smiled good
humoredly, and vaulted into his sad
die.
Still doubtful of his companion
Hardy took the ponies of Redbear anC
Oinna in lead. and rode over to whert
the brother and sister stood in thu
midst Of their grandfather'S immedi
ate family. When the girl confirmed
Vandervyns statement that she wished
to remain in the mountains, he tool
ceremOnious leave of the noble oil
chief, and rode off to rejoin his party
During the brief interval Wander
vyn's gay humor had disappeared. II
met Hardy with frOwn, and held on
one of the letters that he had writtel
that morning. Seeing that it was ad
dressed to himself, Hardy tore ope
the envelope and read the brief not
within.
80" he said, fixing the younge
man with q level glance, ,"your res
ignation-to take effect at once. 1t
dated yesterday"
ut would have been dated and pre-
. sented a week ago if I'd had tn
slightest idea you were going to insul
me as you did yesterday" Vandervy
, burst out angrily. you'd have had
on the spot if could have brought IN!
self to borrow your pen and paper.
81 see," said Hardy. He reflected
moment, and remarked: 'There seem
t to be no reason why l should not az
> cept your resignation, if you insis
r upon my acting on 1t"
II do" said Vandervyn. 'I've ha
2 enough of your bullying. I'm fire
r man nOw--nOt your clerk"
"You will change your tone, sir,
: you wish to ride in my company" sal
Hardy, with cool self-contrOl tn;
checked the others anger.
l Cad! if only you weren't such
= self-righteOus prig" exclaimed tt
l younger man. you're so sure yC
can show cards and spades to the al
4 gels! Pm out for the good things
+ life, and l make no bones over it. 81
e that doesn't prevent me from being
> blooming benefactor as well. If yC
o wish to know the real reason why L
resigning, It's because l have plannt
# to go on to Washington with the del
d CATION, and pull wires to get the tril
y a big slice of graft for their miner
n lands"
Hardy saw the frank sincerity in h
IS companions eyes, and responded
l. the assertion with an instant apolog
is "Mr. Vandervyn, beg your pard'
for misjudging you. At times yo
J. conduct has been ill-advised, but
d no longer doubt your good intentions
at takes an officer and gentleman
r eat crow as if it were quail!" ralli
e, NuHueINyu Win oSCAhAhSiJ SShAoA 90
t. casm. do l understand that my n
le ignation is accepted?"
ly 'If you insist"
Id 81 do. Now that is settled.
Ia make the return trip as equals" Sc
r. Vandervyn, and, as IL freed frOlL
n, rancor by the thought, he fell into
to uAnod Of Suave gayety.