The Monmouth inquirer., 1920-04-29
The Frank A. Munsey Company


Hardy stepped forward with ges'
ture of appeal. The Indian hesitated
a 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
mingling of voices.
They walked a few PAGES away into
the darkness before Hardy spoke. The
other followed him, 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 to face and
close to the Usage. The boy low
cred his head and lifted hand to
stroke the turkey bone breast-plate.
For a moment they stood so, silent.
Hardy felt that the other eyed him
with thick speculation.
"Come tell me l must know. Did
you know what was in it,"
Little Foot shook his head.
1T was important-mighty import
ant to met' Spite of himself Hardy's
breath caught at the poignant memory
of what is all meant. "And l must
know how you got it, Little Foot"
Bart Sears-he left it for me at
ole Navin's."
Something of an insolent swagger
in the tone, yet Hardy sensed no
enmity for him.
"Ole Navin, he tole me to bring it
to you and not let nobody else see it.
/ kept it in my clothes when went to
the smoke. give it to you when |
see you first-because tonight maybe
l get drunk, and l don't want no other
man to see it.
After pause Hardy urged: 60
on, Fred"
'"That is ALL" sullenly.'
"Oh, no, it 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 a grunt - Pm your
friend; I've proven that. That's why
/ know that you amount to more than
just an erand-boy."
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
I should know for my own good.
"And l 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 I 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.
Now you're not going to let Walter
Kennedy or any other man bully you.
Fred? 1 guess not! You're not that
sort, are your"
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
dren of the forest and prairie than
in most humans.
walter Kennedy why, Fred,
he's"
walt Kennedy-big fool" the Ii
dian said flatly, and in his voice was a
lurking resentment. "Walt-he good
friend of Bart Sears"
Hardy caught his breath sharply.
"Walt Kennedy-big fool" the In
he is all right, but he is dog--low-
down, like dog" His voice grew
vibrant with the tensity of emotion -
the first time Hardy had ever heard
it so.
81 have been a 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 Aavin
He always sends word by me. He
says if / tell he will take my payments,
my money! owe him so much So
] do what he says
Il am sick of it, l told Hart what
Walt said about the bank aud they
tried to get the money. To-day J old
Bart what Walt said about the pay
ment, and
what about the payment?" Hardy
broke in, unable to check the guest
ion.