The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-08-19
I E Words 15c Farmer Classified Ads Phone

Well, yes. it's all the same, any way I never do no hair splittin' on words. Bein' pote myself 1t ain't necessary"
 "A-a poet! Really?"
 Really and truly and carry one and add five. I've roped a lot of po'try in my time, miss. Say, are We campin' on your land?"
 ''No. This is government land, from here to our line up above-the Moon stone rancho"
 "The Moonstone rancho" queried Overland Red, breaking tw1g and feeding the fire.
 "Yes. It's named after the canyon. But don't let me keep you from break fast"
 Breakfast, eh? That's right! I al- most forgot it, talkin' to you. Collie's got the coffee to boilin'. No, you ain't keepin' us from our breakfast any that you'd notice. It would take whole regiment of rurales to keep us from a breakfast if we seen one runnin' around loose without its pa or ma."
 Louise Lacharme did not smile. This was too real. Here was adventure with no racontsur's s glamour, no bookish gloss. Here was romance-romance unshaven, illiterate, with it's coat of, making coffee in smoke blackened to- mato can, but romance nevertheless. That this romance should touch her life Louise had not the faintest dream. She was alone-but, pshaw! Boyar was grazing near, and, besides she was not really afraid of the men. She thought she rather liked them or, more particularly, the boisterous one who had said his name was Overland Red.
 The tramp gazed at her moment before he lifted the tomato can from the embers. We know you won't join us, but we're goin' to give you the in- vite just the same. And we mean 1t. Ma'am, if you'll be so kind as to draw up your chair, us gents Il eat"
 Thank you," said Louise. and Over- lands face frightened at the good fel- lowship in her voice. Thank you both. but I've had breakfast"
 She gazed at the solitary. bubbling tomato can cofeepot of second edi- tion" coffee. There was nothing else to grace the board. or rather rock. "I'll be right back, {" she said. ''I'll just take off Boyar's bridle. Here. boy!" she called. You'll be able to eat better"
 And she ran to the pony. From . saddle pocket she took her own lunch of sandwiches and ripe olives wrapped in oiled paper. She delayed her return to loosen the forward cincha of the saddle and to find the little stock of cigarette papers and tobacco that she carried for any chance rider of the Moonstone who might be without them. I Collie, the boy tramp, glanced up at Overland Red. q guess she's gone,' he said regretfully. s
 You're nutty, Collie. She ain't ths kind to sneak oil after sayin' she's comm back. know a hoss and . real woman when see lem. I was raised ln the west myself"
 The boy Collie was young, sensitive and he had not been. raised in tho vest" He frowned F"Yes, you was raised in the west. and what you got to show for 1t?''
 Well, hear the kidr' exclaimed Overland. "Out of the mouth of babea and saplingsI What have got to show? What have l. Wha-- Oh, you go chase snake! I know . good hoss and aA good woman when sec lem, and I seen lem this morning"
 ''But what do she want, with ua bos?" asked the boy.
 ''S-s-h-h! Why, she's interested in me romantic past. of course. Amt the cute little gopher when it comes te the ladies? Fan me. Collie. and slow music and beer for one. I'm soma Iady's man, sisterw
 You're bo, the same as me-" said the boy
 "S-s-h-h! For the love of Pete. don'i you handle that word 'bo' so careless It's loaded. It has jarrin' effect or ears unattenuated-erm meanin' ears that ain't keyed up to it. as the pote says. She's comin' back. Fold yeQl napkin. Don't look so blame hungry Amt you got any style?"
 She's the prettiest girl ever seen,' said the boy, hdstily swallowing hii share of the hot, insipid coffee.
 "Pretty?" whispered Overland al ! Louise approached "She's thorough bred! Did you see them eyes? Afraid of nothin' and smilin'. at what migh dast to scare her. Not foolish, either She's wise. And she's kind and laugh in and not ashamed to talk to us That's thoroughbred"
 Around the rock came Lcuise, thu neat package of sandwiches in ona hand. In the other was the tobacco and cigarette papers. I'm going tt have my luncheon" she said. 'Tf 70, won't object I'll take a sandwich There, have mine. The rest are fo you"
 we had our breakfast" said Over land quickly, when. you was talkin to your pony"
 Louise glanced at the empty tomato can. Well, I'll excuse you for no waiting for me, but I shall not excus, you from having luncheon with me. made these sandwiches myself. Hav' one. They're really good" "Oh!" groaned Overland, grimacing "If I could curry up my languag' smooth like that I-.I guess I'd get dee listenin' to myself talk. You said tha pxp~ Aoy~ ~S~ ff.