The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-09-05

pedal of the rhrobbing car. One mil nus one is nothin'."
 "Hold on therep' cried Tenlow, strid- ing forward. Louise stood between the deputy and the car.
 My horse, please" she said quietly. As she spoke the car roared, jumped forward and shot down the smooth grade of the valley road. a .Now, MT. Tenlow, I wish you would explain this to me and then to Uncle Walter. I sent one of our men with horse. He was to wait for me here. What right have you to interfere with him?"
 T guess got as much right as you have to interfere with me-" said Ten low sullenly.
 Hold on therer' cried Collie. jump ing forward.
 Collie, I'll talk with him.
 'Take my horse, Miss Louise," said Collie, flushing.
 "No, indeed; I'll ride Sarko."
 'I'n get him." said Collie.
 "No. MT. Tenlow will get him, am sure"
 "A woman can make any deal look smooth-if she is interested" said Ten low, turning toward the brush. He came out leading the pony.
 Thank you. Collie, you may get the mail, please"
 Collie stood watching her as she rode away. Then, with much deliberation, he tied his own pony Apache to a clump of greasewood. He unbuckled his belt and flung it. with gun and hol- ster, to the ground.
 NOW. he said, his face blazing white with suppressed anger, "I'm go- ing to make you eat that speech about any woman making things look smooth if she's interested"
 You go on home or I'll break you in two," said Tenlow.
 Collie's reply was flail-like blow be- tween Tenlow's eyes. The deputy stag gered, gritted his teeth and flung him. self at the younger man. The fight was unequal from the beginning. Apache snorted and circled as the bushes crashed and cracked.
 A few minutes later Tenlow strode from the brush leading his pony. He wiped the blood and sweat from his face and spat viciously.
 Louise, riding homeward slowly, heard horse coming behind her. She refined Sarko apd waited. Collie say no way out of it, SO he rode up. grin ming from bruised and battered face.
 "Why, Collier
 The young man grinned again His lips were swollen, and one eye was nearly closed.
 Dismounting, Louise stepped to the ford. "Oh Pm sorry" she cried. ~Your face is terribly bruised. And your eye"- She could not help smiling at Collie's ludicrous appestance.
 'T took fall," be mumbled blandly. Apache here is tricky at times.'
 Louise's gage was direct and re- proachful. Here, let me batbe your face. Stoop down, like that. You don't look SO badly, now. thatVhe dirt is off. Surely you didn't fall on your eye?"
 Collie tried to laugh, but the effort was not very successful.
 Tender1y she batheu his bruised face. Her nearness, her touch, made him forget the pain. Suddenly he seized her hand and kissed it, leaving stph of blood where his lips had touched. She was thrilled wifh mingled feeling of pride and shame-pride in that he had fought laecause of her, as she knew well enough, and shame at the brutal ity of the affair, witch sheanderstocd as clearly as though she had witnessed it. She was too honest to make herself believe she was not 1attered in a way, but she made Collie think otherwise.
 He evaded her direct questioning stubbornly. Finally she asked whether MT. Tenlev "had taken a falH' or not.
 Sure he did!' replied Collie. "A cou- pie or three years ago-tryin' to out ride Overland Red. Don't you remem- ber2"
 (fo Be Cantinued.l