The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-09-15
Coasinueaa
CHAPTER XXI.
{ Morninq.

Morning.
 ~OLLIE, ccening from the bunk
 house, glanced up and saw Black " Boyar standing alone where his own pony had stood. This was not an invitftion; this was daring him to follow. He rode Into the canyon, half con scious of Yuma's tracks ahead of him. Be rode past the tracks as they swervsd toward grassy level near :. the stream
 "CoIliev Louise stood beside theasweating Yu- ma, batting the pony's. neck Collie raised his sombrero formally
 Louise was baraheaded- The clear morning sunlight enhanced her rich coloring. Against the misty gray of ths canyon wall her head, in prohle as she stood beside the horse, was as deli cately beautiful as that vision that !, imagination knows full well. but may oeldom realize. 4 "Yes, ma'am.-
 Collie, don't! Say anything but that. You look awfully gum Surely not because took Yuma" 'No Only was afraid for you"
 "So you fcllowed It bgeaknecks sDeed to rescue the timoroas, the despairinE, and so ferthT
 q can't Jciee nne ttmt this morning" @Whye I'm here. safe enough. Had breakfastT sfYes. wanted to see you about something, Louise"
 HAn right. But ys0 ars 50 unnAt- urally tall and ssrere and judicial sit . ting there on B10ar. You look almost funereal Please sst down. Ro1 a cigarette and act natural I'm not go ing to scosd you, air'
 fl wish yoU would" :,
 Why? What Aases you beensaslnz that makes you- lock 70 ashamed of yourself? TeH ueF ;Ts T didn't knOw,a was"
 .sYou don't acesnatnany. Is there somethins about .nesthat Is siMerent? Is that ii"
 ..No. wishysu v;as dlnerentsone- tinesr
 ssYou dot.
 ~No,r the said .esntly, '4. don't wish you wefe diftezent I want to remem- ber you Nke yoa are"
 ITO remember meF 4
 ~Yes," he wh1zucred, ~to remember { you" He seemed toasse, regret astnnish- ment, questioning. gentle -raQroof, even a hint of anausemantdnshereyes But her expression changed instantly. "I think you have something to remem- Der me, y-somethang, you aslued me , for once, long ago. Esent~it to you. You have never spokeDaf it -acamowl- edged 1t 1 can't qu1tesfnrztve that" sYour glove. I5know. Lgotit here. 5 And he touched his breast. sT thought you would understand" "I do. But, Collie girl. always alikes to be told that ahe is-understood, even when she knows 1t"
 "I was going to write about getting your glove at the hospital I guess l was too tired"
 At the hospitalT
 "Yes. Red sent it to me. Brand gave it to him to give to me-that time"
 "Ohi" And Louise felt like retract- ing a little; but, sweetly perverse, she obeyed sheer instinct. Collie, do you realize that have already asked you to 'disnount? Shall I have to ask you again? Do you realize that I am stand ing while you are -sttting your horse"
 "I am begging your pardon, houise. g The girl nodded brightly, smiling as she noticed the little SCAT on his chin, wound that she had made him blush for when she had tadmonished him for fighting with Dick Tenlow. She watched the rise and fall. of the muscles of his arm beneath his flannel shirt as he lighted his cigarette. How broad chested and strong and whole some he seemed in the morning sum- light! There was an untamed grace i about his movements, his gestures, which, together with his absolute un- consciousness of self. pleased and at tracted her.
 Yuma is a little wild, but she is a fine saddle pony. I'm really jealous for Boyar's prestige"
 A'I was afraid for you to ride her, '' said Collie.
 "She behaves beautifully"
 Would you take her as a kind of present from mel" he asked.
 "Give Yuma to me? I thought you loved her?
 'I do. That's why I want you to have her."
 "He would give you away" said Lou tse, stroking Yuma's neck. Give you away just as you're learning to trust him cnd perhaps even like hiIp little -and he says he loves you! Let's run away from him, Humnnusbirdw
 q think I could stand it if you would 5uetybe mean once," said Collie
 stand what, Collie"
 He had been watching her shapely hand and supple, rounded wrist as she stroked the pony's neck. Swiftly she turned from the horse and faced him aWhat, Collier There was laughter in Der eyes, . laughter that challenged ep@as chan her serious mood Her lips