CHAPTER XV.

THE PARTY AT FORD'S.


Young Matt would have found some excuse for staying at home the
night of the party at Ford's, but the shepherd said he must go.

The boy felt that the long evening with Sammy would only hurt. He
reasoned with himself that it would be better for him to see as
little as possible of the girl who was to marry Ollie Stewart.
Nevertheless, he was singing as he saddled the big white faced
sorrel to ride once more over the trail that is nobody knows how
old.

Mr. Lane was leading the brown pony from the stable as Young Matt
rode up to the gate; and from the doorway of the cabin Sammy
called to say that she would be ready in a minute.

"Ain't seen you for a coon's age, boy," said Jim, while they were
waiting for the girl. "Why don't you never come down the Old Trail
no more?"

The big fellow's face reddened, as he answered, "I ain't been
nowhere, Jim. 'Pears like I just can't get away from the place no
more; we're that busy."

Sammy's father looked his young neighbor squarely in the eye with
that peculiar searching gaze; "Look a here, Grant. I've knowed you