The Glasgow courier., 1916-12-08

|
of some detail Of the ranch work, pur-
posely prolonging the conversation.
Something Of the Collie Of the Orc
barbecue had vanished. In its stead
was an inexplicable but positive quail
Iity of masterfulness, apparent in poise
and manner. His grave dark eyes, up
turned to her face as he caressed Boy
ar, were disconcertingly straightfor-
word. He seemed to be drinking his
fill of her beauty. His quick smile,
still boyish and altogether irresistible,
flashed as she spoke humorously of his
conquest of the outlaw colt Yuma.
II learned more-ridin' that cayuse
at the barbecue for two minutestthan
ever expect to learn again in that
time"
Remembering that she had been first
to reach him when he was thrown, the
fresh bloom Of her cheeks deepened.
Her eyelids drooped for an instant.
"One can learn a good deal quickly,
sometimes" she said. Then added,
for he had smiled again-"About
horses"
"And folks" He spoke quietly and
lifted her gauntleted hand, touching
it lightly with his lips. So swift, so
unexpected had been his homage that
she did not realiez it until it was ire
vocably paid.
"Why, Collie!"
because you wasn't ashamed to
help guy in front of the others"
"Please don't say guy And why
should l be ashamed to help any OF
our boys?" she said, laughing. She
had quite recovered herself.
"Course you wouldn't be. But this
is a kind of 'goodby' too. was go
ing to ask you to mail this letter to
Overland Red. l told him in it that
I was coming"
"We are sorry that you are leav.
ing" said Louise. "Uncle Walter said
you had spoken to him."
ut isn't the money. | could wait.
But l don't feel like taking all that
money and not doing anything for 1t:
guess Red needs me too. Brand
says I'm a fool to quit here now.
Mebbe am. like it here; the work
and everything"
Saunders, watching them, saw Col
lie give Louise a letter. He saw her
tuck it in her waist and rein Boyra
round toward the gate.
AS Collie came toward the corrals
he noticed that Saunders had saddled
the pinto Rally. He was little sur
prised. Rally was Walter Stones
| favorite saddle horse and used by
none but him. He knew his employer
was absent. Perhaps Saunders had
instruction to bring Rally to the sta
tion.
"Something's wrong. Ill just take
and roped the Yuma colt, for he had
seen Saunders disappear on the Old
Meadow trail.
Collie whirlcd the pony round and
down the hill. Through the gateway
he Numbered. The steel sinewed TANKS
stiffened and relaxed rhythmically as
the hillside few past. The Yuma colt.
half wild. ran with great leaps that ate
into space. They swept through the
first ford. A thin sheet Of water spread
on either side Of them. The outlaw
fought the curb all the way up the hill
beyond. Pebbles clattered from her
hoofs and spun skyward as she raced
along the level of the hilltop
Down the next grade the pony swung,
taking the turns with short leaps. On
the crest Collie checked her The road
beyond, clear to the valley, was empty.
He examined the tracks entering the
Old Meadow trail. He had not been
mistaken. Saunders had ridden in.
Mounting. Collie spurred through the
greasewood, trusting to the pony's nat
ulal activity and sure foOtedness.
Louise. sitting on the dream rock in
the old meadow. gazed out across the
valley. Black Hoyar stood near. With
trailiNS bride reins.
Despite herself the girl kept recalling
Collies face as he had talked with her
at the ranch. Admiration she had
known before and many times, adora,
ton never until that morning
For long time she dreamed. The
shadows Of the greasewOod lengthen
ed The air grew cooler. Louise end
ed her soliloquy by saying aloud:
Hes nice boy. though. do hope he
will keep as he is
was answered by Rally. entering thu
meadow. Silent Saunders rode up hur
.riedly.
"Why. Saunders-what is It? That.
Rally! Were you going to meet Uncle
Walter?"
NO. miss. I'm in hurry. Just
hand over that letter that young Col
lie give you at the ranch. l want 1t
I mean business"
"You want the letter? What do 20,
mean: What right have you
mo right. Only want it. I DOM
want to make trouble"
You! A western man and speal
that way to a woman! Saunders, In
ashamed to think you ever worked
for u.s.
"Oh. l know You got nerve. But In
. in hurry. Hand it over. Then 70,
can call me anything you like