The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1891-03-19
A FAMILY AFFAIR.
CHAPTER XII (CoyrrSurp).
BY HUGH CONWAY.


| sir, - he said, grlmly.
Il wanted to see some horses, said
Frank lessly-llippingt the ash from his
cigarette.
"Oh"' said Barker, with q deep-drawI
! sTeath. "You- wanted to-see-some
hosses, did you2"
Eyes, | di :" said Frank pleasantly;
'but never mine. Sorry to have given
you so much trouble. May give youI
boy half crown?n
no said Barker, cooking his head on
one side and speaking in conliden lal
whisper, 'without saying word about
the horses | have shown you, tell me
what's your idea of a horse-his value |
mean.
I'm not particular.
"Oh, you are not particular Jim bring
out the chestnut
NO" said Frank, "neyer mind.
don't want to see him. | want you to
choose Il horse for me-"
''Want me to choose a horse. Can't do
better, sir Whenever the duke or the
marquis wants horse in hurry they
write to me to send them one S'pose If
| can suit the duke, can suit you',
81 don't know. Pm fdgety. You can
try"
Still Barker couldn't feel certain whelh-
or he was dealing with sharp man or a
fool.
'rhere's the chestnut spoke of. He's
the very thing for you
How much'' sa d Frank aconlcally.
Zone hundred and twenty guineas'
said Mr.. Barker, with that emphasis on
the last word which says that the vender
Is PROOF against the same number of
pounds.
Look here" said Frank sharply, ''you
ma me horse for six weeks. | don {
care IL It's black, brown or blue. Name
the lowest price you mean to take, and IL
the price suits me and buy It ana don I
md any particular vices, Ill give you
twenty per cent more and the horse to
resell for me at the end of the time.
NOW then, Is 1t the chestnut?'
Barker made long pause; then with
an assumption of candor said. ''No sir,
after that 1t isn't the chestnut. You
come here, I'll show you what it is"
lie left the repository having settled
that II veterinary surgeon certificate
could accompany the dark bay horse Just
shown him 1t might be sent to Lakewood
House that afternoon. Then he badc Mr..
Barker good-day and strolled back to
Oakbury.
just before he reached Hazlewood
House ne was overtaken by Beatrice and
her cavalier. They re ned up and spoke
Few word. Young Purton was in high
good humor and delightfully."- condescend-
ing
"Pity you don't ride Mr.. Carruthers, -
he said
ut is apily. VII you coach me? Re-
venge is sweet, you know"
III bring my fathers old horse around
some morning and give you lesson. |
dare say You will soon pick 1t up
~ GU were always kind-hearted boy, ~
SAID Frank gratefully. "Mss Clauson do
you think could learn to rlde?''
You are too lazy fear"
~ es, | suspect am, | won't trouble
you, Purton. Good-by."
The horses trotted on, and Frank saun-
tered back to Lakewood House smiling
placidly.
In the afternoon, to Miss Clauson's
supreme establishment, the new purchase
arrived. She and Frank were In the gar
den at the time. The bay was place i'm
Mr.. Giless charge, and that parsonage,
atter inspecting it, rejoiced for two rea-
sons; the first that Mr.. Barker had not
"bested" Frank; the second, that even If
Frank had 'bestedn Mr.. Barker The
horse must have cost pot money, and at
whatever figures his, Williams, intro
duction might be assessed, the backshlsh-
might be worth having.
81 thought you didn't care for riding, /,
said Beatrice.
81 don't much.
Then why buy such a horse9"
because | should like to ride with
you?"
lie gave her one of his quick glances.
Beatrice turned away. ashamed TO feel
that she was blushing. She was very
c Id and reserved during the evening. vet
lhe audacious young man chose to take IL
Tor granted that she would accept him for
her cavalier vice Purton superseded.
Young Purton was too shy to offer his
escort on the next morning-he feared
lest he might wear out his welcome. So
his ride was solitary one. Judge his
utter disgust when, quietly trotting along.
no encountered Miss Clauson and Mr..
Carruthers, the latter mounted on steed.
The like to which Mr.. Purton had for wears
onged to own, and, moreover, riding as
[ lie knew all about il.
Inc sight was very bad for young Pur-
on, Had he been poetical he might have
'onpareo himself TO the eagle struck
y us own quill. As 1t was, he muttered.
"A Jolly sell, by Jove.', and after the nm
lvoidable greetings and Mr.. Carruthers'
Inevitable bit of bandiage rode home in
Iisconsolate state.