Overland Red: A Romance of the Moonstone Cañon Trail

by Henry Herbert Knibbs

  CHAPTER XXXII

  MORNING

  "Something's goin' to happen," stated Brand Williams.

  "How's that?" queried Bud Light.

  "See them two bosses--the Yuma colt and Boyar--?"

  "Uhuh."

  "Well, Boyar's been standin' there since daylight, saddled. Nobody rideshim but Miss Louise."

  "It's mighty early, but I don't see nothin' strange about the rest ofit."

  "Wait a minute, Bud. Did you see Collie this mornin'? Was he all fixedup with his hair jest _so_, and his bandanna jest _so_, and his newsombrero and his silver spurs, and them new chaps, lookin' mightyimportant? He saddles Yuma and ties her over there. While he was eatin',the Boyar hoss trails his bridle over to where Yuma is tied. There theystand visitin' like two old soldiers on crutches instead of two mightyquick-actin' cayuses. Now that Yuma hoss has kicked the fancy linin' outof every cayuse that dast come nigh her. They 're _all_ scared of her.She's makin' an exception this mornin'. She's plumb friendly withBoyar. That signifies! Hosses can see farther in the dark than folks."

  "Signifies what?"

  "Well, after all the talk I jest wasted on you, it signifies that you'retoo thick-headed, Buddy, to waste any more on. I can learn you to_spell_ if you wanta take lessons."

  "You're dreamin', Brand. Wake up! As to spellin'--I'm spellin' right nowwhile the fo'man is entertainin' me."

  "Thanks for callin' my attention to it. You can take your hoss and rideover to the Three Oaks. There's some fence down, over at the NorthSpring. I ain't dreamin' about that."

  Bud Light departed, swearing to himself. He disliked mending fence.Williams knew it. The cheerful Bud, "Reckoned he ought to 'a' knownbetter than to try to ride the old man into the fence. Next time hewould listen--and mebby learn something."

  Louise, drawing on her gauntlets, came down the broad steps of theranch-house. The November air was crisp with the tang of early morning.

  She was puzzled at finding Boyar and Yuma together. She noticed Boyarhad trailed his bridle across the yard--an unusual thing for him to do,considering his training. Louise spoke to the Yuma colt, who sniffed ather gloved hand. The girl wondered why Collie had saddled Yuma. Heusually rode one of the ranch horses to work. She wanted to talk withhim--to reason with him; for her knowledge of the previous night'sdisclosures worried and distressed her. She thought Collie's halfpromise to Overland Red to turn to their old life had been too easilymade. Her pride in him was touched. She was hurt, and not a littleangry. She saw the flaw in his ultimate decision to sacrifice himselfand his prospects through a too stringent and quixotic interpretation ofhis duty. To go back to the old life again--a tramp!

  But Collie was not to be seen. However, Louise never hesitated long.Deliberately she untied the Yuma colt and swung into the saddle. BlackBoyar seemed to realize something unusual in her preference. He frettedas the roan pony leaped sideways toward the gate.

  Louise knew that Collie would follow her. She was riding his pony, theYuma colt, and he would be fearful for the rider's safety.

  Collie, coming from the bunk-house, glanced up and saw Black Boyarstanding alone where his own pony had stood. This was not an invitation;this was daring him to follow.

  He rode into the canon, half conscious of Yuma's tracks ahead of him. Herode past the tracks as they swerved toward a grassy level near thestream.

  "Collie!"

  Louise stood beside the sweating Yuma, patting the pony's neck. Collieraised his sombrero formally.

  Louise was bareheaded. The clear morning sunlight enhanced her richcoloring. Against the misty gray of the canon wall, her head in profile,as she stood beside the horse, was as delicately beautiful as thatvision that imagination knows full well but may seldom realize.

  "Yes, ma'am."

  "Collie, don't! Say anything but that. You look awfully glum. Surely notbecause I took Yuma."

  "No. Only I was afraid for you."

  "So you followed at break-neck speed to rescue the timorous, thedespairing, and-so-forth?"

  "I can't joke like that this morning."

  "Why? I'm here, safe enough. Had breakfast?"

  "Yes. I wanted to see you about something, Louise."

  "All right. But you are so unnaturally tall and severe and judicialsitting there on Boyar. You look almost funereal. Please get down. Rolla cigarette and act natural. I'm not going to scold you, sir."

  "I wish you would."

  "Why? What have you been doing that makes you look so ashamed ofyourself. Tell me!"

  "I didn't know I was."

  "You don't act naturally. Is there something about me that is different?Is that it?"

  "No. I wish you was different, sometimes."

  "You do?"

  "No," he said gently. "I don't wish you were different. I want toremember you like you are."

  "To _remember_ me?"

  "Yes," he whispered, "to remember you."

  He seemed to see regret, astonishment, questioning, gentle reproof, evena hint of amusement in her eyes. But her expression changed instantly."I think you have something to remember me by; something you asked mefor once, long ago. I sent it to you. You have never spoken ofit--acknowledged it. I can't quite forgive that."

  "Your glove. I know. I got it here." And he touched his breast. "Ithought you would understand."

  "I do. But, Collie, a girl always likes to be told that she isunderstood, even when she knows it."

  "I was going to write about getting your glove, at the hospital. I guessI was too tired."

  "At the hospital?"

  "Yes. Red sent it to me. Brand gave it to him to give to me--that time."

  "Oh!" And Louise felt like retracting a little; but sweetly perverse,she obeyed sheer instinct. "Collie, do you realize that I have alreadyasked you to dismount? Shall I have to ask you again? Do you realizethat I am standing while you are sitting your horse?"

  "I am begging your pardon, Louise."

  The girl nodded brightly, smiling as she noticed the little scar on hischin--a wound that she had made him blush for when she had admonishedhim for fighting with Dick Tenlow.

  She watched the rise and fall of the muscles of his arm, beneath hisflannel shirt, as he lighted his cigarette. How broad-chested and strongand wholesome he seemed in the morning sunlight! There was an untamedgrace about his movements, his gestures, which, together with hisabsolute unconsciousness of self, pleased and attracted her.

  "Yuma is a little wild, but she is a fine saddle-pony. I'm reallyjealous for Boyar's prestige."

  "I was afraid for you to ride her," said Collie.

  "She behaves beautifully."

  "Would you take her as a kind of present from me?" he asked.

  "Give Yuma to me? I thought you loved her?"

  "I do. That's why I want you to have her."

  "He would give you away," said Louise, stroking Yuma's neck. "Give youaway just as you're learning to trust him and perhaps even like him alittle--and he says he loves you! Let's run away from him, Hummingbird!"

  "I think I could stand it if you would just be mean once," said Collie.

  "Stand what, Collie?"

  He had been watching her shapely hand and supple, rounded wrist as shestroked the pony's neck. Swiftly she turned from the horse and facedhim. "What, Collie?" There was laughter in her eyes, a laughter thatchallenged more than his serious mood. Her lips were smiling. Her chinwas tilted provokingly.

  His eyes grew wide with unspoken love, unuttered longing. He delightedin the delicious curve of her cheek, and of her arm resting on thesaddle. Her poise had an inexplicable suggestion of royal courage, asthough she were battling for more than her lips could utter. In herabsence he had adored her. Now he forgot all that he had meant to tellher in the sensuous delight of her mere presence. But even that was notenough. He dropped the pony's reins and strode toward her. Louise paledeven as he drew near, but he saw nothing but her eyes and her lips, lipsthat curved wistfully, provoking tenderness and love. For an instantLouise held her heart
aloof.

  "Let me just worship you--a little while--a little while," he whispered.

  "Only a little while?" she breathed; and the soft rose glowed in hercheeks.

  "Just forever," he said.

  And Louise Lacharme, more beautiful than the morning, Louise, his mostgracious senorita, his Madonna of the Rose, lifted her arms to him. Herlips quivered like a child's, tremulous with longing to tell himsilently, as his lips found hers, all that her heart was giving and allthe wealth of love it yet should give.

  Gently his hands clasped her golden head. His whole being thrilled as hetouched her hair, her cheeks, her lips. "Oh, Collie! Collie! Love mealways," she whispered. And she drew him down to her breast and caressedhis cheek, sighing and murmuring little endearments and sweet, brokenwords of love.

  * * * * *

  Moonstone Canon, coldly beautiful, echoed the hoof-beats of the poniesas they walked homeward.

  Louise turned in the saddle. "Collie," she said with an indescribablegesture of appeal, "you will always take care of me, won't you?"

  "My Rose Girl! Why do you say that?"

  "I was thinking of my father."

  Louise saw his lips stiffen and his chin lift. "Louise, I had no right,just now,--I haven't any right--I'm poor. The claim wasn't ours."

  "I didn't mean that," she said, smiling wistfully. "But you will alwayscare for me, won't you? I don't care one bit about the claim. It hasmade trouble and sorrow enough. I can't remember my father. I can hardlythink of him as my father. But it is horrible to think of his dying forwater because he cared so much for gold."

  "But how did you know?"

  "I know," she answered gravely. "And I know that you are a very, veryfoolish boy, not to trust your friends more than you do. Did you supposeyou would be happier or better in leaving Moonstone Rancho? Did yousuppose I would be happier? Collie, you have so much to learn."

  "I guess that's so," he sighed. Then his eyes brightened with hisold-time mischief. "Couldn't you begin now to teach me a little--likeback there in the canon?"

  And being of a decisive habit of mind, he rode close to Louise andclaimed immediate and delicious instruction.

  "But how _did_ you know?" he asked again--"about the claim and yourfather and me?"

  "A secret that I share with Overland," she replied.

  CAN'T I HAVE ANOTHER ONE, ROSE GIRL?]

  "So he told you! When? Not last night. He was asleep when I came awaythis 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 amoment. "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 Idon't own a cent's worth of the claim now. I don't even own what's inthe 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. Oh, Louise! I can'tbelieve it. I could just shout. Can't I have another one, Rose Girl?"

  "Must I teach you not to ask?" said Louise.

  Collie took her other meaning as she made a little mouth at him. "Notafter this," he said, and gave apt proof that he meant it.

  "More than a whole carload of gold?" she asked, gazing at him.

  "You know _that_, too?"

  "Collie?"

  "What is it?"

  "Promise that you won't speak to any one about the claim, or thedesert, or my father until I say you may."

  "Of course I promise."

  "Nor about ourselves, until I tell you to."

  "Never--if it will make you happy."

  * * * * *

  Overland Red, sitting on a boulder beside the road, stooped and gatheredup a handful of pebbles. Then, for lack of other interest, he invented agame of ancient and honorable origin. "She loves me," he said tossingaway a pebble. "She loves me not." And up spun another pebble. So hecontinued until the pebbles were gone. "She loves me not," he mutteredlugubriously. Then his face brightened. "Of course she don't. She loves_him_. That's what I was tryin' to get at, anyway."

  He fumbled at a huge bunch of little red flowers called "Hummingbird'sTrumpets." He arranged the hastily constructed bouquet to suit him. Thenhe laid it on the rock.

  "Accordin' to the latest book on good table-manners, or 'How to Be HappyThough Dressed Up,' this here bouquet is the proper thing. They'll thinkI'm some wiz' when I step out and present these here hummin'birds'bugles. Huh! I seen the two bosses gone, and I gets wise direct. But Igot to brace up. Wonder what she'll think about me--after hearin' what Isaid last night at the Old Meadow? Gee! I wonder what I did say? Did Icuss much? I forget. H-m-m. Good-mornin', folks! I--er--This here--Themhummin'birds' bugles--flowers--Happy day--Collie, what's wrong with you?What you laughin' at?"

  "You, of course. Where did you get the posies?"

  "Picked 'em along the Golden Shore. Just got back."

  "You do look scared, Red."

  "Seein' you're gettin' personal--_you_ needn't to think because _you_just been there that I never will."

  "Say, Overland--I--we--" began Collie.

  "I knowed it! I won't say a word to nobody."

  Collie glanced at Louise. She nodded. Then she gave Overland her hand.He seized it and stood looking into her sweet gray eyes. "Little RoseGirl," he said quietly, "you always was the best and kindest andbeautifullest we ever knowed. It ain't the first time you give your handto help them that ain't fit to touch it. If there _is_ any Golden Shore,I guess me and Collie will be there just because we knowed you down hereand couldn't stay around, nohow, where you wasn't. And, believe me, ifhe don't treat you from now on like you was a plumb angel, I'll--I'llride him off the big range and into space quicker'n shootin' stars!These here flowers is for you--not for that long-legged grasshopperridin' your hoss there. I should think Boyar would be plumb ashamed."

  "Then Collie can walk," said Louise promptly. "Collie, will you pleaselet Mr. Summers take Boyar? I want to talk with the President of--of mymine a little while."

  "Don't faint, Chico," said Overland, swinging into the saddle. "I alwayswas the 'cute little gopher with the ladies. You watch _us_ ride up thistrail if you want to see a pair that _can_ ride."

  Collie shook his fist at the grinning Overland, who had turned as herode away. "You want to learn to act quick when a lady asks you," calledOverland. "You didn't get off this hoss any too spry."

  Then Collie stooped and picked up a little red flower that had droppedfrom the boisterous one's offering.

  CHAPTER XXXIII

  A SPEECH

  The Marshalls and Billy Winthrop came in their car. The ride through thecanon had been pleasant. They were talking about Overland. They had beendiscussing the rearrangement of a great many things since the news ofLouise's heritage had become known.

  "You had better close the muffler, Billy. You are frightening thatpony!"

  "That's the Yuma colt," said Winthrop. "Overland is riding her."

  "Overland?"

  "Yes. He's coming to meet us."

  Plunging through the crackling greasewood at the side of the road, theYuma colt leaped toward the car. In broad sombrero, blue silkneckerchief, blue flannel shirt, and silver-studded leather chaps, was astrangely familiar figure. The great silver spurs rang musically as thepony reared. The figure gave easily to the wild plunging of the horse,yet was as firm as iron in the saddle.

  Anne drew a deep breath. It was not the grotesque, frock-coated Overlandof a recent visit, nor was it the ragged, unkempt vision Louise hadconjured up for her in relating the Old Meadow story. In fact, it wasnot Overland Red at all, but Jack Summers, the range-rider of the oldred Abilene days. He was clean-shaven, vigorous, splendidly strong, andconfident. In the saddle, bedecked in his showy trappings, surrounded byhis friends, Jack Summers had found his youth again, and the past was asa closed bo
ok, for the nonce.

  "I'm the boss's envy extraordinary," said Overland, by way of greeting."Walt said something else, too, about bein' a potentiary, but I reckon_that_ was a joke."

  "Good-morning! Don't get down! Glad to see you again!"

  But Overland was in the road, hat in hand, and Yuma's bridle-reins overone arm.

  "'Mornin', Billy! 'Mornin', Doctor! You run right up to the house. I leftthe gate open."

  Then Overland rode back, following them. Later he reappeared, minusspurs and chaps, but still clad in the garb of the range-rider. He wasas proud and happy as a boy. He seemed to have dropped ten years fromhis shoulders. And he was strangely unlike his old boisterous selfwithal.

  The noon sun crept through the moon-vine. Out on the wide veranda wasthe long table. They were a happy group at luncheon there. Even thetaciturn Brand Williams had been persuaded to come. His nativepicturesqueness was rather effaced by a black, characterless suit of"store clothes."

  Walter Stone, at the conclusion of the luncheon, asked Overland to makea speech. Nothing daunted, Overland rose briskly.

  "I expect you're lookin' for me to fall off the roof of the cannery intothe tomato-vat and make a large red splash. Not me. I got somethin' tosay. Now the difference in droppin' a egg on the kitchen floor andbreakin' it calm-like, in a saucer, ain't only the muss on the floor.You save the egg. Just recent I come nigh to losin' my whole basket. Youall know who saved 'em. Not namin' any names, the same person, by jestbein' herself, and kind to everybody, put me wise to the fact that moneyand clothes ain't all that goes to make a man. And, at the same time,speakin' kind of orthodoxical, money and clothes has a whole lot to dowith makin' a man. I just got hep to that idea recent.

  "Speakin' of clothes leads me to remark that I got a new outfit up atthe bunk-house. It's a automobilein' outfit. Billy says it's the correc'thing. He helped me pick it out. Which leads Billy into this here thing,too. He said to break the news gentle, and not scare anybody to deathand not get 'em to thinkin' that somebody was hurt or anything likethat, so I'm breakin' it to you easy. Me and Billy is goin' away. We'regoin' in the Guzzuh--'God save the mush,' as the pote says. We are theOverland Red Towerist and Observation Company, Unlimited. We are goin'

  "'Round the world and back again; Heel and toe in sun and rain'--

  as another pote says. Only we ride. I ain't got nothin' to say aboutgettin' married, or happy days, or any of that ordinary kind of stuff. Iwant to drink the health of my friends. I got so many and such good onesthat I dassent to incriminate any particular one; so I say, lookin' atyour faces like roses and lilies and--and faces, I say,--

  "'Here's to California, the darling of the West, A blessin' on those livin' here-- And God help all the rest.'"

  Overland sat down amid applause. He located his tobacco and papers,rolled a cigarette with one hand, and gazed across the hills. Glancingup, he saw Louise looking at him. He smiled. "I was settin' on a crazybronc' holdin' his head up so he couldn't go to buckin'--outside alittle old adobe down in Yuma, Arizona, then. Did you ever drift awaylike that, just from some little old trick to make you dream?"

  At a nod from Aunt Eleanor they all rose.

  Louise stepped from her end of the table to where Overland stood gazingout across the hills. She touched him lightly on the arm. He turned andlooked at her unseeingly. His eyes were filled with the dreams of hisyouth, dreams that had not come true ... and yet.... He gazed down intoher face. His expression changed. His eyes grew misty with happiness. Herealized how many friends he had and how loyal and excellent they were.And of all that he had gained his greatest treasure was his love forLouise--for Louise Lacharme, the little Rose Girl of his dreams. Thatlove lay buried deep in his rugged heart. She would never know of it. Noone should ever know--not even Collie.

  Louise, in an ecstasy of affection and pity that she could notunderstand, suddenly flung her arms around Overland's neck and kissedhim full on the lips.

  More than he had ever dared to dream had come true.

  THE END

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