The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-08-31

Louise smiled dream1iy. Then the chatter of Boyar's shod hoofs rang and re-echoed, fxa17y to hush in the gravel of the ford beyond.
 Why Louise thought of Collie just then it would be difficult to 1magil- 2. Still she had caught herself noting lit tie details associated with him and his work. He brushed his teeth. Not all of the other men did. He did not chew tobacco. Despite his lack of ear ly training he was naturally neat. He disliked filth instinctively. His bits, spurs and trappings shone. He had learned to shoe his string of ponies, an art that is fast becoming lost among present day cowmen. With little com ment, but faithful zeal, he copied tered the tactiturn cowman, who un- obtrusively arranged Collie's work so that it might bring the younger man before the notice of Walter Stone and incidentally Louise. Of course Louise was not aware of this.
 The girl no longer sang as she rode, but drea med, with unseeing eyes on the trail ahead-dreamed such dreams as one may put aside easily until, per chance, the dream converges toward reality, which cannot be so lightly put aside.
 Brand Williams had his own ideas of romance, ideas pretty well sub- merged in the deeps of hardy experi- ence, but existing nevertheless and as immovable as the bed of the sea. He badgered Collie whenever he chanced to have seen him with the rose girl, and, smiling inwardly at the young mans indignation, he would straight way arrange that Collie should ride to town for, say, few pounds of staples wanted in a hurry, when he knew that the blackboard would be going to town on the morrow and also that there were plenty of staples in the store room.
 Something of the kind was afoot, or, rather, a-saddle, as Louise rode down the Moonstone trail, for beyond the turn and the ,rippling ford she saw a 1.-the, blue shirted figure that she knew. Louise would not have admitted even to herself that she urged Boyar. Nev. ertheless the reins frightened and slack ened gently. Boyar swung into his easy lope. It pleased the girl that Col lie, turning in his saddle at the sound of hoofs, waved a salute, but did not check his horse He had never pre- stunned on her frank friendship and taken things for granted" He kept his place always. He was polite, a little reticent and very much in love with Louise. Louise did not pretend | to herself that she was not aware o1 l it. She was all the more pleased that | Collie should act so admirably. She l had loaned him books, some of whict he had read faithfully and intelligent | ly. In secret he had kissed her name written on tho fyleaf of each of them | He really rather adored Louise thar | loved her. and he builded well. for his adoration (unintimate as adoratioT | must ever be until perchance it touche' | earth and is translated into lovel wa. | of that blithe and inspiriting Qualit! | that lifts a man above his natural sel and shapes the lips to song and the I | himself to be good looking and not al | together barbarian. No morbid hope
 lessness clouded his broad horizon. H'
 knew himself and cherished hi
 strength and his optimism. He att
 slowly, which is no insignificant iten
 on the credit side of the Dig book O
 Success.
 Collie lifted his broad brimmed ha
 ns Louise rode up. His face was flush
 ed. His lips were smiling, but his darl
 eyes were steady and grave.
 Morning, Collie! Boyar is jus
 bound to lope. He never can bear t
 have a horse ahead of him."
 "He don't have to very often," sai'
 Collie.
 "Of course there are Kentucky sad
 dle horses that could beat him. Bu
 they are not COW ponies,
 tTo Be Cantinued)