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He found pleasure in dreaming of what might have been as he sat watching the

girl's changing expression as different moods possessed her; but as for permitting

a hope, even, of realization of his dreams--ah, he was far too practical for that,

dreamer though he was.

As the two talked Grayson passed. His rather stern face clouded as he saw the

girl and the new bookkeeper laughing there together.

Ain't you got nothin' to do?" he asked Bridge.

Yes, indeed," replied the latter.

Then why don't you do it?" snapped Grayson.

I am," said Bridge.

Mr. Bridge is entertaining me," interrupted the girl, before Grayson could make

any rejoinder. "It is my fault--I took him from his work. You don't mind, do you,

Mr. Grayson?"

Grayson mumbled an inarticulate reply and went his way.

"Mr. Grayson does not seem particularly enthusiastic about me," laughed Bridge.

"No," replied the girl, candidly; "but I think it's just because you can't ride."

"Can't ride!" ejaculated Bridge. "Why, haven't I been riding ever since I came

here?"

Mr. Grayson doesn't consider anything in the way of equestrianism riding unless

the ridden is perpetually seeking the life of the rider," explained Barbara. "Just at

present he is terribly put out because you lost Brazos. He says Brazos never

stumbled in his life, and even if you had fallen from his back he would have stood

beside you waiting for you to remount him. You see he was the kindest horse on

the ranch--especially picked for me to ride. However in the world DID you lose

him, Mr. Bridge?"

The girl was looking full at the man as she propounded her query. Bridge was

silent. A faint flush overspread his face. He had not before known that the horse

was hers. He couldn't very well tell her the truth, and he wouldn't lie to her, so he

made no reply.

Barbara saw the flush and noted the man's silence. For the first time her

suspicions were aroused, yet she would not believe that this gentle, amiable

drifter could be guilty of any crime greater than negligence or carelessness. But

238

The Mucker