The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1914-07-18

wealth of love u yet should give
Moonstone Canyon echoed the
hoof-beats OF the ponies as they
walked homeward.
Louise turned In the saddle.
Collie she said with an indie
seribabie gesture of appeal. "you
will always take care of me.
won't your"
My Rose Girl! Why do you
say that"
II was thinking OF my father. .
Louise saw his lips stiffen and
his chin lift. Louise, | had no
right. Just now--I haven't any
right-I'm poor. The claim was
not ours"
Il didn't mean that" she said.
smiling wistfully. Il don't care
about the claim. Ii has made
trouble and sorrow enough.
can't remember my father. I can
hardly thing of him as my father.
But IL is horrible to-think of his
dying for water because he cared
SO much for gold"
But how did you known"
81 know" she answered grave
~. And | know that you are a
very, very foolish boy. Did you
suppose you would be happier or
better In leaving Moonstone
Rancho? Did you suppose l
would be happier2 Collie, you
have SO much to learn"
Il guess that's So" he sighed.
But how did you know about the
claim and your father and me?"
"A secret that share with
Overland" she replied.
So he told youl When? Not
came away this morning."
SO he is here, them"
Louise. you're Joking. Didn't
Red talk to your"
NO"
And you know all about 1t al
ready2" He looked at her curl
ously for a moment. did you
know that I said l was going to
leave the Moonstone?"
"Why2"
For the same reason that I
can't now--you. Red and Billy
Winthrop and l don't own a cent s
worth of the claim now. / don't
even own what's in the bank. But
I've got you. Oh, Louisei l can't
believe It. Can't / have another
one, Rose Girl"
Must | teach you not to ask?''
said Louise.
Collie took her other meaning
as she made a little mouth at him.
mot after this" he said, and
gave apt proof that he meant Il.
Collier"
What is it?"
Promise that you won't speak
to any one about the claim, or the
desert, or my father until l say
you may"
"Of course l promise"
Nor about ourselves. until
tell you to-"
"Never = II 1t will make you
happy"
Overland Red, sitting on a boul-
der beside the road, fumbled at a
huge bunch of little red flowers
called "Hummingbird's Trum-
pets" He arranged the hastily
constructed bouquet to suit him.
"Aeeordin' to the latest book
ON good table-manners. or How
" Dc AAaHHy anOukn 1EG1164 UDf
this here bouquet is the proper
thing. They'll think I'm some
wiz when / step out and present
these here hummin BIRDS bugles.
Huh! I seen the two bosses gone,
and I gets wise direct. Hmm.
Good-mornin', folksi I-er-This
here-them hummin birds bugles
-flowers-Happy day - Collie,
what's wrong with your What
you laughin' att"
You, OF course. Where did you
get the posies?"
Picked 'em along the Golden
shore. Just got back
"You do look scared. Red"
Seem you're gettin' personal
You needn't to think because
you Just been there that I never
will"
Say. Overland-T-we-" be
gan Collie.
II knowed itl I won't say q
word to nobody"
Collie glanced at Louise. She
nodded. Then she gave Overland
her hand. He seized IL and stood
looking into her sweet gray eyes.
Little Rose Girl" he said quiet
ly. you always was the best and
kfndest and beautifullest we ever
knowed II Amt the first time you