Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-05-01
''DoC;!!''
BY
BY HAROLD TITUS.
Author Of ITO the Victor"
Copyright
The Frank A. Munsey Company
The Frank A. Munsey Company


Hardy stepped forward with a ges-
ture OF appeal. The Indian hesitated
moment, then withdrew his hand.
"All right, wau.pun.tuck, he NUT.
tered and followed the doctor into the
night, closing the door upon the rising
mngling of voices.
They walked few PAGES away into
The darkness before Hardy spoke. The
other followed hisl, as matter Of
form. without question. :,
Little Foot, who gave you the note
that you handed me in the round.
house,"
The doctor stood face 10 face and
close to the Usage. The boy low
cred his head and lifted hand to
stroke the turkey bone breast.plate.
For moment they stood so. silent.
Hardy felt that the other eyed him
with thick speculation.
"Come tell me. / must know. Did
you know what was in it?'
Little Foot shook his head.
1t was important mighty import.
ant to me-" Spite of himself Hardy's
breath caught at the poignant memory
OF what Is all meant And | must
know how you got it, Little Foot"
Bart Sears--he left it for me at
ole Navins.'
Something of an insolent swagger
in the tone, yet Hardy sensed no
enmity for hin.
'0le Nayin, he tole me to bring it
~ you and Mt let nobody else ee it,.
kept It in my clothes when went to
the smoke. | give it to you when
see you first--because tonight maybe
get drunk, and don't want no other
man to see it"
After pause Hardy urged; 60
on. Fred
THAT is an sullenly.
"Oh, no, il isn't, Fred You don't
want me to think that you've been just
running an errand, for Sears and
Navin, do you?
Remember" when the Indian
started with grunt - I'm your
friend. I've proven that. That's why
know that you amount to more than
just an erandboy."
Little Foot laughed, and Hardy was
certain he caught the odor of whisky
on his breath
You warned me so you most
know something that don 't-and that
should know for my own good.
"And | know something else: You
waited here one night with Texas
while came out to meet you; you had
been TO Navin's that afternoon when
YOU saw me out on the prairie with -
with--a girl.
And | know that Walter Kennedy
has been trying to bully you'-lean.
ing close and whispering the words.
The Usage shifted his footing and
said something under his breath, at
which Hardy's pulses leaped.
Nov you're not going to let Walter
Kennedy or any other man bully you.
Fred? | guess not. You're not that
sort, are you?"
He saw the boys shoulders stiffen,
and gloried He had touched the spot
that time. Vanity--it lies in all OF us;
but nearer the surface in these chill
drcn of the forest and prairie than
ia most humans.
'"Walter Kennedy why, Fred,
he's"
walt Kennedy--big fool" the Ii.
dian said flatly. and in his voice was Il
lurking resentment "Walt-he good
friend OF Bart Sears
Hardy caught his breath sharply.
walt Kennedy--bg fool" the In.
he is all right, but he is a dog-low.
down, like dog His voice grew
vibrant with the tensity of emotion -
the first time Hardy had ever heard
Il SO.
IL have been fool, too. Whisky
gambling--they get me in debt. Walt
Kennedy helped me out, and now
owe so much | cannot do what want,
Walt Is afraid Of the dark. He will
never see Bart or Texas or Navin.
He always sends word by me. He
says II tell he will take my payments,
my money! owe him so much. So
do what he says.
Il am sick of 1t. told Bart what
Walt said about the bank-and they
tried to get the money. To-day | told
Bart what Walt said about the pay
ment, and"
what about the payment Hardy
broke In, unable to check the quest
ion.
THAT Lon Gilbright Is coming with
II and will cross Crooked Ford at day