The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-01-11

and smiling inwardly at the young
mans INDICATION, he would
straightway arrange that Collie
should ride to town, for, say, a
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 asaddle, as Louise rode
down the Moonstone Trail, for be-
yond the turn and the ripping
ford she saw 1.-THE, blue-shirted
figure that she knew.
Louise would not have admitted
even to herself that she urged Bo-
var. 1t pleased the girl that Collie
turning in his saddle at the sound
of hoofs, waved q salute, but did
not check his horse. He had never
presumed on her frank friendship
He kept his place always. He was
polite, a little reticent, and very
much in love with Louise.
Collie lifted his broad-brimmed
hat as Louise rode up. His face
was flushed. His lips were smiling,
but his dark eyes were steady and
grave.
Morning, Collie! Boyar is just
bound to lope. Going all the way
to town."
Eyes. Brand wants some things
from the store"
I'm going to the station. We
expect a telegram from some
friends. Maybe they'll be there
themselves. / hope not, though.
We would have to get Prices
team and buckboard-and I'd be
ashamed to ride behind his horses,
especially with my-my friend
from the East"
"Boyar and this here buckskin
colt would make a pretty fair
team" ventured Collie, smiling to
himself.
ITO drive? Heavens, Collie, no!
They've neither of them been in
harness. Why, l must be late
There's the train for the north
just leaving the station. I expect
ed to be there in case the Mar
shalls did come today. But they
said they'd telegraph"
81 can see three folks on the
platform" said Collie. lone is the
agent. Then there's a man and a
woman"
At the station Louise found her
guests, young DR.. Marshall and his
wife; also the telegram announc-
ing the day they would arrive.
I'm sorry" began Louise; but
the Marshalls silenced her with
hearty "Oh, pshaws!" and mo
matters!" with an Incidental hug
from Anne.
why, you have changed so,
Anne!" exclaimed Louise. "You
nsed to be so terribly formal. and
now you're actually hugging me in
publici"
"The public has Just departed,
Miss Lacharme. with your pony, l
believe. He rides well-the tail,
dark chap that came with you."
"Oh, Collie. He's gone for the
blackboard, of course. l don't see
why he took Boyar with him to the
store, though"
The Marshalls and Louise paced
slowly up and down the station
platform chatting. Presently they
were Interrupted by a wild clatter
of hoofs and the grind and screech
OF hastily applied brake. The bor-
rowed blackboard had arrived dra-
matically. Collied leaned back, the
reins wrapped around his wrists.
In the harness stood, or rather
gyrated, Boyar and Collie's own
pony, Apache.
Prices team is out - knew
you wanted team in a hurry"
said Collie.
1T looks like a team in a hur-
ry." commented DR.. Marshall.
Your man is a good driver?"
Splendid" said Louise. Come
on, Anna. You always said you
wanted to ride behind some real
Western horses. Here they are"
DR.. Marshall's offhand designa-
ton Of the blackboard as "a team
In hurry" was prophetic, even
unto the end.
What Boyar could not accom-
plish in the way OF equine gym
nastics in harnes, Apache, Collie's
pony could.
Pretty lively" said the doctor.
Collie, with his foot on the
brake, and both arms rigid,
nodded. Moonstone Canon Trail
was not a boulevard. He was not
to be lured into conversation. He
was giving his whole mind and ali
of his magnetism to the team.
| Anne Marshall chatted happily
with Louise. Young DR.. Marshall
in the front seat with Collie
braced his feet and smiled. HI
glanced over the edge of the
canon road and his smile faded
a little. II faded entirely as the
front wheel sheared off n ren.