"Yes, sir. A fellow has got to believe in something. I guess believing in his own State is the best."
"Of course. Now, about your leaving us. I had rather you would stay until the Marshalls go. Louise and Mrs. Stone depend on you so much."
"Sure I will! You see, Red don't say to come, in his letter, but he sent the check for three hundred if I did want to come. There's no hurry."
"All right. Hello, Louise! Dinner waiting?"
"Yes, Uncle Walter. How are you, Collie?" And Louise nodded to him. "What are you two hatching? You seem so serious."
"Plans for the ultimate glory of the State," said Stone.
"Ultimate?"
"Yes. We've been going beneath the surface of things a little. Collie expects to go even deeper, so he tells me."
Collie walked slowly toward the bunk-house. Halfway there he took Overland's check from the letter and studied it. He put it back into his pocket. As he passed the corrals, Apache nickered in a friendly way. "Haven't got a thing for you," said Collie. "Not a bite. We're not goin' to town to-day. To-morrow, maybe, for there'll be doings at the Oro Rancho and we'll be there—we'll be there!"
With a run and a spring the young man leaped the gate and trotted into the bunk-house.