The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1917-01-13

L
in the morning sunlight!
II think l could stand 1t IL you
would just be mean once" said
Collie.
STAND what, Collier"
He had been watching her as
she stroked the pony's neck.
Swiftly she turned from the horse
and faced him. What, Collier"
There was laughter in her eyes,
laughter that challenged more
than his serious mood.
His eyes grew wide with un-
spoken love. unuttered longing.
Her poise had an inexplicable sug-
gestion of royal courage, as tho
she were battling for more than
her lips could utter. In her alb
sence he had adored her. Now he
| forgot all that he had meant to
tell her in the sensuous delight of
her mere presence. But even that
was not enough. He dropped the
pony's reins and strobe toward
her. Louise paled, even as he
dred near.
LET me just worship you-a
little while-a little WHILE" he
whispered.
"Only little while?" she
breathed; and the soft rose glowed
in her cheeks.
Just forever" he said.
And Louise Lacharme, more
beautiful than the morning,
Louise, his Madonna of the Rose,
lifted her arms to him. Her lips
quivered like a child's, tremulous
with longing to tell him silently,
as his lips found hers, all that her
heart was giving and all the
wealth of love it yet should give.
Moonstone Canyon echoed the
hoof-beats of the ponies as they
walked homeward.
Louise turned in the saddle.
Collie" she said, with an indie
scribable gesture of appeal, you
will always take care of me, won't
your"
"My Rose Girl! Why do you
say that?"
II was thinking of my father"
Louise saw his lips stiffen and
his chin lift. Louise, / had no
right, just now--I haven't any
right-I'm poor. The claim wasn't
ours"
II didn't mean that" she said,
smiling wistfully. Il don't care
about the claim. 1t has made
trouble and sorrow enough. l
can't remember my father. l can
hardly think of him as my father.
But it is horrible to think OF his
dying for water because he cared
so much for gold"
But how did you know?'
II know" she answered grave
ly. And | know that you are a
very, very foolish boy. Did you
suppose you would be happier or
better in leaving Moonstone
Rancho? Did you suppose |
would be happier? Collie, you
have so much to learn"
81 guess that's So" he sighed.
But how did you know about the
claim and your father and me?"
"A secret that / share with
Overland" she replied.
so he told you! When2 Not
last night. He was asleep when l
came away this morning."
so he is here, them"
Louise, you're joking. Didn't
Red talk to your"
mo"
"And you knew all about 1t al
ready" He looked at her Curl
ously for a moment. did you
know that I said I was going to
leave the Moonstone?"
"Why?"
For the same reason that l
can't now-you. Red and Billy
Winthrop and l don't own a
cents worth of the claim now. |
don't even own what's in the
bank. But I've got you. Oh,
Louise! ! can't believe it. Can't
have another one, Rose Girl?"
Must l teach you not to ask?"
said Louise.
Collie took her other meaning
as she made a little mouth at
him. Not after this" he said,
and gave apt proof that he meant
it.
Collier"
what is TT"
Promise that you won't speak
to any one about the claim, or
the desert, or my father until l
say you may"
"Of course promise"
"Nor about ourselves, until !
tell you to-"
"Never-if It will make you
happy"
Overland Red, sitting on a boul-
der beside the road, fumbled at
huge bunch of little red flowers
called "Hummingbird's Trumpets."
He arranged the hastily construct
ed bouquet to suit him.
"Accordin' to the latest book on
good table-manners, or How to Be
Happy Though Dressed Up this
here bouquet is the proper thing.
mi. Al. - L