The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-09-07

bkSDo~ssessS1>4 One day, as he stooo srroKing Dlacn Boyar's neck, he happened to glance across the yard. Saunders was sad l ding one of the horses in the corral | Louise, astride Boyar, spoke to Collie | of some detail of the ranch work, pur | posely prolonging the conversation. | < Something of the Collie of the Orc barbecue had vanished. In its stead | was an inexplicable but positive qual 1ty Of masterfulness, apparent in boise and manner. His grave dark eyes, up | turned to her face as he caressed Boy | ar. were disconcertingly straightfor ward. He seemed to be drinking his lill of her beauty. His quick emife, Still boyish and altogether irresistible. f1ashed as she spoke hum0rously of his conquest of the outlaw colt Yuma. :~I learned more-rfdin' that cayuse 1t the barbecue for two minutes-than | n ever expect to learn again in that tine" I Remembering that she had been first E toreach him when he was thrown, the ( fresh bloom of her cheeks deepened. Hor eye1ids dropped for an instant. '-0ne can learn a. gooA deal quickly. { solnetimes,r she said. Then added, for hs had smiled again-:About horses" rAnd folks" He spoke quietly and lifted her gnuntleted hand, touching it lightly with his lips. So swift, so un- expected had been his homage that she dM not realize it. until it was irrevoc- sltly paid V
 " ~Why, Collier
 Because you wasn't ashamed to help . Suy in front of the others"
 SPlease don't say guy And why should I be ashamed to help any of our boysT' she said, laughing. She had uulte recovered herself.
 sCourse you wouldn't be. But this A1s kind of a 'goodby' too. was going { to ask you to mail this letter to Over land Red. I told him in it that I was coming"
 I've are sorry that you are leaving said Louise. Uncle Walter said you had spoken to him."
 1t isn't the money. could wait. But I don't feel like taking all that money and not doing anything for it. |, guess Red needs me too. Brand says I'm fool to quit here now. Mebbe I am. I like it here; the work and every thing" 44
 Saunders, watching them, saw Collie give Louise letter. He saw her tuck iitsin her waist and rein Boyar round toward the gate.
 As Collie came toward the corra1s he noticed that Saunders had saddled the pinto Rally. He was little surprised. Rally was Walter Stones favorite sad dle horse and used by none but him. He knew his employer was absent. Perhaps Saunders had instructions to bring Rally to the station.
 Collie paid no further attention to Saunders until the latter came from his quarters with coat and blanket roll which he tied to the saddle. Then Collie became interested. He left the road and climbed the hill back of the corrals. He watched Saunders astride spurred through without closing it. That was little unusual.
 7, On . rise far below was Black Boyar 10ping along easily. Collie saw him stop and turn into the Old Meadow trail. He watched for Saunders to ap- pear on the road below the ranch. Presently out from the shoulder of a hfll lea .,ed Rally. Saunders was plying Quirt and spur. The pinto was doing his best. Something's wrong. I'll just take chance" And Collie ran to the corral and roped the Yuma colt for he had seen Saunders disappear on the Old Meadow trail
 Collie whirled the pony round and down the hill. Through the gateway he thundered. The steel sfaewed Hanks stiffened and relaxed rhythmically as the hillside few past. The Yuma colt, { haE wild, ran with great leaps that ate into space. They swept through the first ford. A thin sheet of water spread on either side of them. The outlaw fought the curb aH the Hay up the hill beSond. Pebbles clattered from her hopfs and spun skyward as she raced along the level of the hilltop.
 Down the next grade the pony swung, taking the turns with Short leaps. On the crest Collie checked her. The road beyond, clear to the valley, was empty.
 He examined the tracks entering the Old Meadow trail. He had not been mistaken Saunders had ridden in Mounting, Collie spurred through the greasewood, trusting to the pony's nat uzal activity and sure footedness.
 Lc1,ise, sitting on the dream rock in tho old meadow gazsd out across the valley. Black Boyar stood near, with traiiiny bridle reins.
 Despite herself the girl kept recalling Collies face as he had talked with her { at the ranch. Admiration she had known before and many times, adora- lion never until that morning.
 For long time she dreamed. The shadows of the greasewood 1engthen cd The air grew cooler. Louise end
 ed her soliloquy by saying aloud: ~He's nice boy, though. do hope he Wfl keep as he is."
 Royar. lifting his head. nickered and