"If I owned you that'd never be done to you." "I reckon you can have him fer the askin'," said Jim, as he threw on the saddle.

"Nobody but me can ride him.

Do you want to try ?" "Not in these clothes," replied Columbine, laughing.
"Wal, Miss Collie, you're shore dressed up fine to-day, fer some reason or other," said Lem, shaking his head, while he gathered up the tools from the ground.
"Ahuh! An' here comes the reason," exclaimed Jim, in low, hoarse whisper.
Columbine heard the whisper and at the same instant a sharp footfall on the gravel road.

She quickly turned, almost losing her balance.

And she recognized Jack Belllounds.