People's voice., 1899-04-07
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A SPLENDID ANIMAL.


bromifaw, looked pleased. 1t is an
awkward thing TO buy horseAesh for
another-that other being the man
you are particularly anxious to
please; and at the noment OF pur-
chase Mr.. Fordyce had been trying to
kill two birds with one stone"-to
serve Sir Lowell and help Miss Ches-
ter Of Chester Court, whom he had
known from childhood, and for whom
he felt genuinely sorry.
SO now. when he owned that the
horse before him was "a splendid ami
NAL" Mr.. Fordyce felt quite a thrill
OF encouragement as he rubbed his
hands, and did his best not to look
too elated.
Saddle him and bring him around" !"
was the brief command. 81 shall ride
down the lane, and try his pace for
myself"
He will be quite up to your weight /"
said Mr.. Foliyce, "and he's a grand
hunter"
"Oh, no doubt" said Sir Lowell. who
was already thinking of something
else. And now, about those mort.
cages, FcIdyce-what were you tell.
ing me about Chester Court?"
1 was advising you to deal gently
with the owners. They were much at.
tached to Sir James, and he to them
He would not have done anything
harsh for the world"
"A man must do the best he can for
himself" he replied, lightly.
Then the footman came up, and said
the horse was at the door; and Sir
Lowell, taking up his hat and whip.
went quickly off for a ride, nodding
carelessly to the agent as he passed
out.
l shall not let him do this, without
sharp protest." said the older man,
as he watched him depart. Upon nv
word, Cyrus carries him well, and he
has a magnificent seat. The man looks
as IT carved out of steel, and the horse
KNOWS he has his mate to carry. But
Cyrus has will OF his own, too: and
L did not warn Sir Lowell OF that. I
wish had, now"
Wishes were OF no use, however Sir
Lowell and Cyrus were out of sight.
and Mr.. Fordyce had no cours-
but 10 wade through more accounts
until the nour for lunch; for he was
staying at the Hall as a guest. dur.
ing the tedious process of disentangle-
ment. He took a parcel of private
deeds from box, and sat down in a
large arm chair by the fire.
after an hours grinding at yellow
parchments, Sir Lowell and the gong
for luncheon both disturbed him to-
gether. Nor was he sorry.
Where did you say you bought that
horse?" asked Sir Lowell again, as
they sat opposite one another in the
stately dining room. "I never was
better pleased with anything in my
life."
1T was the property Of some people
in this district. and he had to 90"
said the agent, shortly, feeling
great dislike TO naming the Chesters
in connection with Cyrus.
Sir Lowell was. however musing
over the ride: he drummed ON the ia.
bic with his fingers. and then. rising.
SAID with a sigh: "Ah. well. their loss
is my gain" leaving Mr.. Fordyce TO
add under his breath a very fervent
Poor souls!"
That the new conner continued TO
appreciate Cyrus was evident from
NE fact that every day saw him sally
nrth for good long canter over the
Mills, master and horse alike worthy
OF one another.
i only hope he'll have sense to keen
the poor beasts head away from the
court, said Mr.. Fordyce to himself.
III ne once scents the old stables !
am sure he'll make for them like a
shot"
but, as Sir Lowell had not the re-
motest idea in what direction tbe
court hay, the very catastrophe fore.
= - =, -. -...1ryce occurred-exact.
ly as the agent had prophesied.
Sir Lowell had ridden,towaris North.
ope, and the Court lay midway be-
tween the hall and that village. Cy-
rus went along gaily; gradually his
pace quickened; he began to prance,
n something pleasing were in store.
Once Or twice ne lifted his head with
lingering scrutiny, as of familiar
objects, and whinnied slightly; and.
at last. with one quivering bound, he
stopped short almost at the feet of
a young lady, who turned at that mo-
ment out OF a gate at the end of an
avenue.
Inc sudden arrest, the quick move
ment OF the horse towards her. made
the girl glance up and smile PLAYED
around her lips, as her eyes cleaned
with tears.
Sir Lowell could not compel obedi-
ence. The horse, usually so tractable.
seemed transformed. He meant to
have his own way. and he had II.
Surprised. bewildered and moved
out OF herself, the girl passed her
hand over Cyrus name. and he rub.
bed his head on her shoulder.
Good old Cyl" she said tenderly.
You do not forget old friends"
Then her eyes met Sir Lovell's, and
while she colored. he thought he had
never seen such lovely girl in his
life.
PLEASE forgive me-" she murmered.
1 fear he has too good a memory"
I am proud of horse that has the
power OF remembering. and that has
something TO remember" he said. lift.
ing his hat as he spoke, and alighting.
81 L