The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-09-09
if shootin' Collie was any sign"

if shootin' Collie was any sign."
 Like old times," said Williams.
 ''Like old tines," echoed Overland. "No trouble f1ndin' your way acrossT Easy. Followed them automobile tracks clear to the range. We fed up at the town. The boys gets kind of restless"-
 Boys? Amt you aloneT'
 "I should say notr' replied Williams disgustedly. T wish was. got four, pigeon toed, bowlegged, bat cared Moonstoners down in that meadow just itchin' mad to cut loose. And they ain't sayin' word, which is sus, picious. Worryin' across the old dry spot the last three days has kind of het lem up. And then hearin' about Collfe"-
 How'd you come to have 50 much comp'ny !" "queried Overland.
 T was plumb fool enough to read that letter of yours to 'em. They all like Collie first rate, better than cal culated on. The boss talked turkey to lem, but he had to let 'em come. He did everything he could to hold 'em, knowin' what was in the wind"
 "And they quitT'
 "Quit7 Every red eyed bat of 'em- Bud and Pars and Billy and Miguel. Told the boss they quit becausA me bein' foreman, they would do hs l says, but if they quit wasn't their foreman any longer, and they would do as they y,l< haH thn kC tell me that could come along if I was wishful."
 Overland nodded. Well, Brand, I guess I'll step down and look lem over"
 Ringed round their little fire in the meadow sat or lay the Moonstone rid CTS. While crossing the desert Will Hams had sketched a few of the red episodes in Overland's early career. These pleased the riders nightly. They were anxious to meet Red Jack Summers. When Williams did intro. duce him they were rather silent, ask. ing after Collie in monosyllables. They seemed strangely reticent.
 Both Williams and Overland felt an inexplicable tensity in the situation.
 Miguel, the young Mexican vaquero broke silence. How long you call fl to this Gophertown place, think?"
 Thirty miles," said Overland.
 Suddenly Pars Long glanced at the foreman. Brand" he said quietly i've expectlyop didn't read all of tha, letter from your friend here. You said Collie was shot You didn't say how which ain't natural We been talkin about it. Where was he hit?" Overland saw his chance and grasp ed it with both hands. "In the back, he said slowly and with great inten sity.
 Followed a silence, in which th, stamping of the tethered horses ant the whisper of the fire were the only sounds
 Presently Miguel ran his finger, through his glossy black hair. Tn thu backw be exclaimed. And vol needn't td tell that he was run away neither"
 'In the back!" echoed Billy Dime. Overland and Williams exchanged l glances. You done it now,'' said Vii Hams.
 "'Cordin' to agreement" said Over land.
 "Only thirty miles. What do yo'
 say, Brand?" "Nothin'."
 "As usual.' calculated Dime. q say about tomorrow morning, ventured Pars Long. Light will b
 good about 9. We can do the thirty b | 9. A fella would be able to ride roun'
 town then without fallin' over any thing"
 "What you fellas gettin' at?'' queries | Williams.
 "Gophertown," replied Dime. "Yo | want to come along?" | "Well, boys, it would "a been m
 way of evenin' up for a pal"
 "Then you're comin' too?' (To Be Contlnued.l l Farmer Want Ads. One Cent a Word