Did you suppose
you would be happier or better in leaving Moonstone Rancho? Did you
suppose I would be happier? Collie, you have so much to learn."
"I guess that's so," he sighed. Then his eyes brightened with his
old-time mischief. "Couldn't you begin now to teach me a little--like
back there in the canon?"
And being of a decisive habit of mind, he rode close to Louise and
claimed immediate and delicious instruction.
"But how _did_ you know?" he asked again--"about the claim and your
father and me?"
"A secret that I share with Overland," she replied.
[Illustration: CAN'T I HAVE ANOTHER ONE, ROSE GIRL?]
"So he told you! When? Not last night. He was asleep when I came away
this morning."
"So he is here, then?"
"Louise, you're joking. Didn't Red talk to you?"
"No."
"And you know all about it already?" He looked at her curiously for a
moment. "Did you know that I said I was going to leave the Moonstone?"
"Why?"
"For the same reason that I can't now--you. Red and Billy Winthrop and I
don't own a cent's worth of the claim now. I don't even own what's in
the bank. All I got is Yuma."
"You gave Yuma to me, Collie."
"I sure did. I haven't even her. But I've got you.
Pages:
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327