Putnam patriot., 1911-04-21
According to StebbinS A Story of Lovers Spat and
 an Obstinate Pony
By ILARIooN TTAIhIE Copyright by American Press Asso-
 ciatian, Isll


 Luke Prentice carefully reread the letter a second and a third time When he had learned it quite by heart he tore 1t into a hundred bits and flung them to the four winds of heav- en.
 T reckon there won't another girl git a chance to throw me dowR,- said Luke sullenly as he dug his spurs into the COW pony's flank. Hump your self, Stebbins. if you want a rundown and a bite tonight.''
 Stebbins bumped himself to such good effect that it lacked an hour of sundown when he loped into the cor ral of the Three x ranch. His rider dismounted. and. nodding grimly to the circle of cowboys gathered around the fire, he rendered the promised serv- ices to Stebbins and then entered the bunk house. where he made a careless toilet.
 "Wednesday nights beau night" re marked Fletcher. scanning Luke's blue flannel shirt with a lifted eyebrow l you to keep up the reputation of the ranch, you being the most popular courting gent in the outfit. You ain't going to back out and stay home?"
 That's just what I'm going to do'' said Mir Prentice. turning a danger ous glance toward his tormentor. I've heard it said that l ought to stay nd friT of all fai lers a chance with the girls. Of course I don't want to stand in anybody's way I'm taking a few courting days off. see?"
 They all saw and passed the wink to Fletcher That gentleman pulled at his long mustache turned it fiTcely upward and smiled thoughtfully.
 Thank you. Luke" he said at lastin a velvety tone. I've been waiting a long time for a chance. so as you've dropped out of the game I'll just nope along the Chineapin trail to- night. l got box of candy laid aside for just such an emergency"
 The Chincapin trail led 10 the Chin capin ranch. and there was where Els telle Blair lived with her brother Frank. It was, said that Luke Prentice mounted on Stebbins had worn the Chincapin trcii down to bedrock. It was fact that he had fallen des- perately in love with Estelle Blair and that for a timeaat least she appeared to reciprocate shis feeling. Lately, however Estelle had grown cool and distant. and now their friendship had been severed by the curt little letter she had sent advising him that she would not be at home hereafter on Wednesday nights.
 Luke could not understand why mat ,ters had turned out this way unless it was that Esteiie had learned to love somebody else. He'knew that Fietch CT occasionally called at the ChincapiD to see Frank Blair. and he must at the same time have opportunities of meeting Franks lovely sister But both Fletcher and Blair were rival suitors for the fair hand of Miss Ger tie Gibbs, the scheolteacher at Lone Tree, and it was not supposed that either ever wavered in his alled- ance~to the plump little beauty. As a matter of fact. the two rivals were close companions. and it was whis- pered that in this way eachskept track of the others movements.
 Nevertheless Luke felt a fierce stab of jealousy as Bert Fletcher emerged from the bunk house immaculate in a white shirt and wearing in his bosom the large yellow topaz pin he had won from Mexican Pete. His mttStaches were twisted fiercely. and his black eyes sparkled maliciously as be look ed at Luke Prentice pfrying solitaire by the light of a lantern.
 Any messages you want to send. I.uke%' leased Fletcher srs he passed by.
 Prentice lifted a dangerous eye and surveyed his -companion's Eetup with contempt ''l.0u might tei1 Miss Ger tie can't get over tonight. but I'll be around sure thing next Wednes- day" he said. fazily gathering up the cards and snapping them inte a rub Der band.
 Miss Gertic?" Fletcher retidened nneasflv. 'I didx't say I was going TO Lone l"ee. Qiu !. btSiNV9. ft'f ." on-I diGr't know you'd been pros peetine around there"
 AM -caiS k alike to r7e.s returned Iulo setrtentiousy. ''y''Aen one ainf te home another viii do just as well sn hong as jhey'll sing and play ap1 rfnoose me. As I was saving. just tel Miss Gertie I'll come around next vt-ad,asdav So long Bert You're sure going t9 have a moen.
 Fletcher strode away without word. his joke on Luke Prentice quite forgotten in his own misery Frank Blair nieht take the opportunity or his being fhere with Esterle 10 run over to Lone Tree and thus steal march on his rival + was matter that required much thought and deli cate handling
 Tn the meantime Luke Prentice was arauing with himself against his rid ing forth into the moonln night and assailing the Chincapin and demand Ing an explanation from EsteHe- There must he some reason Tor her not caring to see him again. and 1T the reason was Fletcher-weh. Luke would see that Fletcher stopned hirt- ing with Miss Gibbs and gave ai- legisnce to Estelle Blair.
 Suddenly he arose and made nasty toilet Then he came out, saddIeo Stebbips and rode away down the moonlit trail. When he came 10 tue place where the trails divided, one