Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-05

scheme for bracing me up. I'm just a
worthless hulk, sitting here in the house a
cripple, while you fight the battles. Per-
haps Providence, as your mother says, will
see you through your hard task"
Il won't come and tell you that we've
lost, dad; I'll come and tell you that we've
won; and then we'll all have the biggest
kind Of a blowout right here in the house.
Well have a champagne supper, with cider
for champagne. eh, dad? Alan, and Dixon,
and old Mike, and perhaps well even bring
Lausanne In for the nuts and raisins for
dessert"
And the Rev. Dolman, you've left him
out added the father.
They were both laughing. Just a tiny
little ray Of sunshine had dispelled all the
gloom for a minute.
Now I must go back to my horses" de-
clared Allis with another kiss. Goodbye
dad; cheer up" and as she went up to her
room a smile Of hope vanished from her
lips, and in its place came one of Arm,
logged resolve. Allis needed much deter
mination before she had accomplished the
task she had set herself-before she stood
In front Of a mirror, arrayed in the purple
and fine linen OF her brother. She had
thought Alan small. and he was-for a boy,
but his clothes bore a terribly suggestive
impression OF misft, they hung loose.
Mentally thanking the fashion which con-
doned it, she turned the pants up at the bot
tom. 'Tll use my scissors and needle on
them tonight" she said, ruthlessly. Thank
goodness the Jockeys are all little chaps,
and the racing clothes will At better"
The coat was Of summer wear, therefore
somewhat close-htting for Alan; but why
did II hang so loosely on her? She was sure
her brother was not so much bigger. The
mirror declared she was a passable coun-
terfeit OF her brother; all but the glorious
crown OF luxuriant hair. Twice she took
up a pair Of scissors. and each time laid
them down again, wondering IL 1t we're
little short of a madcap freak; then, shrink
ling from the grinding hiss Of the cutting
blades. she clipped with feverish haste tho
hair that had been her pride. Now she was
ready to pass her mother as Allis in her
own long cloak, and appear before Dixon
without 1t. as a boy. That was her clever
little scheme.
Some hours later Dixon, sitting in his
cottage, oppressed by the misfortune that
had come to his stable, heard a knock at
the door. When he opened 1t a neatly
dressed, slim youth stepped into the I'M
| llkHl Iudl pdN
from a rather unfit lamp on the center
table.
as this Mr.. Dixon?" the boys voice
piped modestly.
Eyes, lad, it is. Will you sit down"
The boy removed his cap, took the
proffered chair and said somewhat hest
~tatingly. 81 heard you wanted a riding boy
well. l do an l don't. I don't know as
l said I did, but and he scanned the
figure closely-if I could get a decent light
weight that hadn't the hands Of a black
smith an the morals Of a burglar ] might
give him a trial. Did you ever do any
ridin'-what stable was you in?"
"I've rode a good deal" answered tho
little visitor, ignoring the second half Of
the question.
what's your nance"
A Mayne," the other replied.
The boys face appealed to Dixon as being
an honest one. Evidently the lad was moi
a street gamin, a tough. II he had hands
the head promised well-and could sit
horse he might be a find. A good boy wa
rarer than a good horse and OF more actua
value.
81 guess III stay here tonight so as tc
be ready for the mornin' said the callel
to Dixon's astonishment and then the lttl'
fellow broke into a silyery laugh.
"By Jimmy! - % YELL l glP'
In, Miss Allis. you fooled me-"
"Can ride LaL.--. y the glr
asked and her voice chOked a LITTLE
might have been the nervous excitement o.
thankfulness at the success Of her plar
In this. its nrst stage