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

sharp, upright angle OF the hill
as the team took the turn at a
gallop.
THE road needs widening there,
anyway" commented Collie, as
though apologizing.
| 81 have my-er-repair kit
with me-" said the genial doctor.
I'm a surgeon"
Collie nodded. Evidently this
Immaculate, of the white collar
and cuffs and the stylish gray
tweeds had sand"
They're a little fussy-but
know EN-" said Collie, as Boyar
reared
At the top of the next grade
the lathering, FESTIVE ponies final
lily settled to. stubborn trot.
MAD clean through" said Collie.
81 should say they were .behav-
ing well enough" said the doc
tor.
when a bronc' gets to acting
Iladylike, then is the time to look
out" said Collie. "Boyar and
Apache have never been in har-
ness before. Seems kind of queer
Ito EN-"
What! Never been - Why!
Huh! For heavens sake, don't let
Mrs. Marshall hear that"
Walter Stone and his wife made
1.-THE Marshalls feel at home imme-
diately. Walter Stone had known
DR.. MarshalPs father. Aunt Flea
nor and Louise had visited with
Anne when they were East. She
was Anne winthrop then.
The host brought cigars and an
extra steamer-chair to the wide
veranda. Well smoke while the
girls tell each other all about it.
Price, the storekeeper, brought
you up, didn't he?"
"I don't think so. Miss Louise
called him Collie / believe. He'd
make a splendid army surgeon,
that young man! He has nerves
like tempered steel wire, and
never saw such cool strength"
ooh, that's nothing. Any one
could drive Prices horses"
The doctor smiled. THE young
man confided to me that their
names we're 'Boyar' and Apache.
| believe. They both lived up to
the last ones name"
well, I'll be--did that young
pirate drive those saddle animals
l-whew! He's a good horseman,
lbut-Well, I'll talk to him."
Pardon me If ask you not to,
Stone. The girls enjoyed it i'm
Intensely. So did l. l believe the
driver did"
Collie is usually pretty level
headed" said Walter Stone.
Hes more than level-headed,"
asserted DR.. Marshall. Hes mag
netic. I could feel confidence ra-
dating from him like sunshine
from a brick wall"
II think he'll amount to some
thing, myself. Everything he
tackles he tackles earnestly"
In the shadows of the noun
tain evening they congregated on
the veranda and chatted about the
proposed picnic they were to en-
10y a few days later, when "boots
and saddles" would be the order
of the day.
"Imagine! A week of riding
about these mountains! How Billy
would have enjoyed 1t, DOCTOR" ex-
claimed Anne.
Eyes. But l believe he is hav-
ing a pretty good time where he
u.s."
HE writes such beautiful let
tiers about the desert and his min
ing claim-that's his latest fad.
and says he's much stronger. But
l believe they all say that-when
they have his trouble, you know"
From Billy's last letter, I
should say he was In pretty fair
shape" said the doctor. Hes liv-
ing outdoors and at a good alti-
tude, somewhere on the desert.
f, He's making money. He posts his
letters at q town called 'Dagget,
in this state"
"Up above San Berdoo," said
Walter Stone. And he straight
way Tell into reverle.
"Hello!" exclaimed DR.. Mar
shall, leaning forward. Sounds
like the exhaust Of a pretty heavy
car. I didn't imagine any one
would drive that cannon road aft
er dark"
Unusual" said Stone, getting
to his feet. Some one in a hur-
ry. I'll turn on the porch light
and defy the mosquitoes.
With a lsonine roar an immense
racing car STOPPED at the gate be-
low. Before Walter Stone had
reached the bottom step of the
porch, huge figure appeared
from out the shadows. In the ra-
dance of the porch light stood a
wonderfully attired stranger.
Frock coat, silk hat. patent leath-
ers. striped trousers, and pearl
CATERS, a white vest, and a notice
able watch chain adorned the
driver of the automobile.
| He stood for a minute, blinking
in the light. Then he swept his
hat from his head with muscular
grace. Excuse me for intrud.
In" he said. II seen this glim
J and headed for 1t. Is Mr.. Walter
, Stone at lee-sure?"
I'm Walter Stone" said tn,
rancher. somewhat mystified.