The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1917-01-18

the Moonstone rancho tii'ifted
away. There remained but Brand viii
liams, the foreman: Collie and the
sturdy, hard riding Miguel. young
Spanish vaquero. who was devoted to
but two things In life. his splendid
pinto pony and the Moonstone ranch.
The others had been l,Irel to the new
oil fields up north-to the excitement
Of Goldfeld or ~ Mexico City, where
even more excitement promised In
their stead came new men-Bud Light.
Parson Long. Billy Dime and one ST.
lent Saunders
Louise became acquainted with the
new men while riding with her uncle.
She was his constant companion In the
hills One by one the new arrivals be-
came devoted to her Her sincere In
terest i'll the ranch work pleased them.
and naturally. for it was their work.
Walter Stone was also pleased with
his nieces interest in the detail OF the
ranch work She was as daughter
to him Some day the property would
be hers
Fully conscious from within herself
Of her dependence upon her uncle,
Louise managed to be of inestimable
service She performed her self al
iotted tasks without ostentation. She
had that rare quality Of stimulating
enthusiasm among the men enthusi-
asm for their work and pride in giving
faithful and energetic service-pride
in accomplishing little more each
day than was asked or expected OF
them. Louise's youth, her beauty. her
sincerity and above all. her absolute
simplicity of manner commanded nd
miration and respect among the bard
riding Moonstone boys. She was to
them lady" yet lady they could
understand Hers was gentle tyran
ny. 4 request from her was deemed
a great compliment by its recipient
All of them. with the exception 0i
Collie. openly praised her horseman
ship. her quiet daring, her uniform
kindness Her beauty had ceased tt
be commented upon. 1t was accepted
by them as one accepts the fragrant
beauty of rose naturally. silently
gratefully.
Collie had gained In height ant
breadth of shoulder. He no longe1
needed instruction in managing bron
cho stock. He loved the life of thu
hills-the cool. invigorating mornings
the keen wind Of the noon peaks, th'
placidity of the evening as the star
multiplied in the peaceful sky.
He became that rare quantity anon,
cowmen. a rider who handled and mas
tered unbroken horses without brutal
ity. This counted heavily for him. bot
with Louise and Walter Stone Me1
new to the range laughed at his meth
Cd Of "gentiing" horses Later thei
| laughter stilled to envious desire. Lack
ing his invariable patience. his con
sistent magnetism. they finally resum
| ed their old methods and earned dOml
| nance by sheer strength Of arm-.mai
| strength and awkwardness." as WI
iiams put it.
/ ~ ChSy -loi ilAlls SOAAAAC0tV
Brand Williams. discussing Collie's a
most uncanny quelling OF q vicious. un
bitted mustang Its easy You fella
expect boss to buck and bite and kic
and buffalo yol generally. he dom
He don't expect anything like that. an
| he don't let 'em learn how"
i Can you work It that wayY aske
4 Billy Dime
Nope. learned the other way. an
the bosses knows it. always had
| sweat He's born to 1t natural. like
good COW pony is.
i And Collie looked upon his work q
| a game-:l game that had TO be playe
hard and well, but game nevertht
less. incidentally he thought often I
| Overland Red He had searched th
papers diligently for year before b
received the first letter from Overlant
1 The news 1t contained set Collie
/ thinking seriously Of leaving tue Mool
stone rancho and joining his old con
panion in this new venture of gold di,
giny, which. as Overland took pains
explain. was paying big" But thel
was Louise. They were great friend
They had even ridden to town togeth,
ana attended the little white church
the eucalyptus grove. lie thought /
their ride homeward late that Snnds
afternoon
Once and once only had Overland
name heeil mentioned In the bur
house Saunders discussing hors'
and riders in general. listened to c.
lies account Of Overland's escape fro
the deputy. TenIow Then he spoil
sIightingly Of the feat. claiming tn
any man who had ever ridden ram
could do as much with the right pom
Brand Williams tried to change t
subject for shrewd reasons OF b
own, but Collie famed up Instant
Il got little saved up" he sal
,.mebbe $500 She's yours if yon da
to walk horse comm. or goin', OF
that drift that Red took on the jun
Are you game?"
I'm not On the bet" replied Sau
, ders. $50 Overland Red Is friend
yours. eh?"
. Overland Red could ride where =
J, dassent to walk and drag q haite
q asserted Collie. Then hc relapsed
!. silence. little ashamed IN that he b
: been trapped into showing temper
!, Williams the taciturn aStOnished /
D bunk house by adding: .The kid
!, right Red could outride most men.
i was his pal once down IN SOno
!, There amt better two gun artist
a in And the lean foreman IooE
if pointedly at Saunders
j Saunders smiled evilly. He had E