Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-04-29

10 tnev DrlHS IL III All al oHCe.
Il suppose So Hmm"
He turned sharply and looked at
the man beside him.
Il hadn't thought of It in that con.
nectiOn before"
Nor L. muttered Hardy, as
though to himself, IF he knew that
the bank was carrying an extra
amount he may know this payment
money is coming in.
How much will it be-"
Guess this'll be a big one, and
they may bring in as much as hun.
bred thousand"
"A hundred thousand" Hardy re-
peated, almost stupidity. Then again,
as though obvious of another's pres.
ence; IF he dared try the bank in
daylight for twenty-five thousand,
what wouldn't he do for a hundred"
John Hough shifted uneasily in his
saddle, as though he was driven al
most to the point of asking question
that his better Judgment told him to
suppress.
They rode slowly on into the Indian
camp, and the sounds from the round.
house suddenly became more distinct.
Always was the background OF the
throbbng drum, and over 1t played
the weird, minor chorus of peculiar
nasal voices, lifting and falling, slid
ing up and down quarter tones with the
consistency of bagpipes Now and then
a sharp cry broke through, and as the
two riders came close the jingle Of
sleigh-bels mingled with other sounds.
Better drop off and look on" the
older man advised. you'll get
morbid thinking along one line all the
time. This dance may be worth while.
anyhow
''Ill be in my Office"
Hardy pulled up and dsmounted.
| throwing his bridlerens over a fence
] post, and walked in toward the con-
| ical.roofed building from which came
the confusion of sounds,
Other white men were there, clus
/ tered about the entrance and stand
/ ing close to the walls inside. Hardy
saw the slow-moving figures of gro
| tesQue dancers in the stamping move.
ments of Usage rites wheel about the
circle to the accompaniment OF their
primitive music.
yyh ut fms in nj rot
$50 much to see and hear in the yell
! low lights-and he did not look about
! at those who watched with him.
/ When he did it was to meet the
/ quickly averted gaze Of man and
catch a fleeing glimpse of peculiar
speculation in the eyes. He saw that
( the man spoke to one beside him. and
/ that the other looked covertly in his
direction
His heart fell suddenly. and he
, forgot the shifting scene before him.
He was marked among them! He
was among, but not one of their num-
Der, they held him as an individual
apart, aimed against the mass.
Several who had stood before him
went out and Hardy found himself
in the front row of onlookers, close
| TO where crcled some of the wilder
dancers, their feet stamping in swlfter
measure.
An indian came toward him, body
bent forward, feet shifting the ground
sharp blows. lone eagle feather in his
hair floating gracefully as his body
moved. A fringed, leather shirt Gov
cred his torso and dark leegings went
from waist to yellow.beaded moe
casins. At his breast hung contrl-
vance of turkey bones, and about his
throat dangled clashing metal orna-
ments.
He pressed closer and closer on the
watchers, and some drew back from
him.
Hardy watched; his interest arous-
ed in the barbariC fervor of the Indian
was strong, and he did not move
when. whirling swiftly. chanting un-
der his breath in tune with the woman
and in time with the tom-tom, the
Usage brushed against him.
He felt hand pressed against his
and moistened bit of paper thrust
into his palm. His fingers closed over
it automatically
II had come from the Indian.
Hardy glanced down at the folded
paper, then up and over to the figure
dancing slowly away from him. The
face was lifted now, streaming per-
spraton and streaked with paint.
Beneath 1t ALL behind the barbarlty,
he recognized the fellow.
Fred Little Foot was the man.
What could it be? He asked him
self that question with apprehension
rising. Then reasoned that the un
usual performance could possess no
undue significance because of It's very
nature. Beyond doubt a message
was written on that paper, but If II
were one of Importance why had Lit.
tie Foot trusted to this chance meet
ing for its delivery?
Still misgiving rose, and no amount
OF logical rebuttal could down It..
GRO RE CONTINUED