The diamond drill., 1916-10-07
any woman making things look smooth


two" said Tenlow
Collie's reply was n fiaIl-llke blow be-
tween Tenlow's eyes. The deputy stag.
gered. grittcd 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
\ few minutes later Tenlow strobe
from the brush leading his pony. lie
wiped the blood and sweat from his
face and spat viciously
Louise. riding homeward slowly.
heard horse coming behind her. She
reined Sarko and waited Collie saw
no way out OF IL, so he rode up grin
ming from a bruised and battered face
"Why. Collier
The young man grinned again. His
lips were swollen and one eye was
nearly closed.
Dismounting. Louise stepped 10 the
ford. "oh I'm Sorry she cried. "Your
face is terribly bruised. And your
eye She could not help smiling at
CoIlie's ludicrous appearance.
II took fall" he mumbled blandly.
Apache here is tricky ar times"
Louise's gaze was direct and re-
proachful. Here, let me bathe your
face. Stoop down, like that. You don't
look so badly, now that the dirt is or
Surely you didn't fall on your eyer
Collie tried to laugh. but the effort
was not very successful.
Tenderly she bathed his bruised face.
Her nearness, her touch, made him
forget the pain. Suddenly he seized her
hand and kissed II. leaving a stain OF
blood where his lips had touched. She
was thrilled with mingled feeling OF
pride and shame-pride In that he had
fought because OF her, as she knew
well enough. and shame at the brutal.
ity OF the affair, which she understood
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
Mr.. Tenlow had taken a fall" or not.
Sure he didp replied Collie. "A cou-
pie or three years ago-tryin' TO out
ride Overland Red. Don't you remem-
ber?r
Collie you're a regular hypocrite."
Yes, ma'am."
And you look-frightfuL"
Yes, ma'am."
You're not bit ashamed"
"Yes, ma'am, / am"
Don't say Yes, ma'am,' all the time.
You don't seem to be ashamed. Why
should you be, thought Because you
were fghting?"
''No, Miss Louise. Because got
licked"
Louise mounted Sarko and rode be-
side Collie silently. Presently she
touched his arm. But did your she
asked, her eyes grave and her tone con
veylng subtle question above the
mere letter.
"Nol BY thunderw he exclaimed.
Not I'm n hundred yearsr'
"Well, get some raw meat from the
cook. I'll give your explanation to Or.
and Mrs. Marshall, for you win have
to be ready for the trip tomorrow. You
viii have to think OF better explana-
tion for the boys"
While riding homeward, Louise drop
ped her glove. Collie was afoot In.
stantly and picked It UP. "Can keep
itT" he said.
The girl looked curiously at him for
n moment. "No, think not, Collie"
she said gently.
Collie rode up TO the corrals that aft.
ernoon whistling as blithely AZ he
could, considering his injuries. He con-
tlnued to whistle as he unsaddled
Apache.
At the bunk house Brand Williams
looked at him once and bent double
with silent laughter. The boys badger
ed him numerically. Fell Off n boss!
Go tell that to chink Who step
ped on your face, kid Been ridin' on
your map, eh7-Wherc was the wreck
Who sewed up your eyer
"S-s-h-h, fellas," said Miguel. grin.
ming. "If you make all that noise how
you going 10 hear the tune he Is whIs.
Ting. heyT'
Collie glanced at Saunders, who had
said nothing. Got anything 10 offer
on the subject. SIentT' he asked.
Nope. | take mine out I'm thinkin."
You're going 10 have chance TO do
whole lot more OF It before long,"
said Collie, and he said II with sug.
gestiveness that did not escape the
taciturn foreman, Brand Williams.
A letter from Overland informed Col.
lie that his share In the mino 10 date
was $1,000, and he began planning 10
buy ranch.
Hearing that the Orc foreman had
offered n Yuma outlaw" horse 20 my
Moonstoner who could ride her, Collie
determined TO win the prize.
II hear that you intend 10 ride the
outlaw Yuma. Is IL soT Louise In.
quired.
Collie nodded.
'I had rafhar Won didn't - aaid To,