Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-24

He was a good horse-whin he liked. Per-
haps Lauzanne N do the same some day,
fer ell l know"
There was such a tone Of doubt in the
trainers voice that even Mortimer noticed
It. Neither was there much praise Of the
big chestnut. Evidently Mike did not quite
approve Of him, though hesitsting to say
so in the presence Of his mistress.
yes, Lauzanne is my horse voluns
teered Allis. II even ride him In all his
work now. since he took to eating the sta
Bile boy
And you're not afrald?' asked Mortimer.
For answer the girl slipped quietly
into the stall, and going up beside the
chestnut, who was standing sulkily with his
head in the corner Of his box, took him by
the ear and turned him gently around.
Hes just a quiet-mannered chap, that's
ALL" she said. Hes a big. lazy, contented
old boy" and she laid her cheek against
his fawn-colored nozzle. You see" she
explained, hes got more brains than any
Of the other horses; and when he's abused
he knows It,"
"But he's grateful when he's kindly
treated" commented Mortimer.
Yes, that's why l like horses better than
men,"
"ohi" the exclamation slipped from Nor
timers lips.
Most men, 1 mean.' she explained. 'of
course father, and Alan. and she hesi-
tsted; you see," she went on to explain,
1.-The number of my men friends are lin
tied, but, except these, and Mike, and Mr..
Dixon, 1 like the horses best"
IL almost believe you're right, Miss Por-
ter concurred Mortimer; i've known men
myself that / fancy we're much worse than
even Diablo."
Mike thinks Lausanne is a bad horse
the girl said. changing the subject, but
you must win a big prize on him this com
ing season. You just keep your eye on
Lausanne. Here's your carrot, old chap,
she said, stroking the horses neck, and
we must 60 II we're to have that drive.
VIII you hitch the gray to the buggy for
us, Mike?' she asked Of Gaynor, as they
came out Of the stable; well wait here
As Mike started off, there came to their
ears the sound OF turmoil from Diablo's
box, impatient kicks against the boards
from the horse and smothered imprecations
from the boy.
Hear that hend!' the girl exclaimed, and
there was wrath in her voice.
He does seem a bad horse concurred
Mortimer.
II didn't mean Diablo; it's the boy. It's
all his evil doing. Oh, I've only one glove,
she exclaimed, II know where it is, though;
that mischievous rascal Lausanne nibbled II
from the front of my jacket; l saw him dc
1t, but forgot to pick 1t up"
ALLOW me, Miss Porter; I'll get It fol
you"
mo, please don'ti" with emphasis, as he
started back. She laid a OBTAINING hand or
his arm. "Id much prefer to go myself
Lausanne distrusts strangers and might
make trouble"
AS the girl entered the stable, Mortimer
sauntered toward Mike, whom he could see
a short distance way putting a horse tC
the buggy.
Allis opened the door Of Lauzanne's stall
passed in and searched in the straw for tho
lost glove.
The noise Of strife in Disblo's box mac
increased. There came the sound of blow
on the horses ribs; a muttered oath, anC
suddenly a scream Of terror from the boy
drowned by the ferocious battle cry Of tn
enraged stallion. Mortimer. thirty yard
away, heard 1t, and felt his heart stant
still; he had never heard anything so de
moniac in his life. He turned in such hast
that his foot slipped on the frozen eartl
and he fell heavily.
AT INC uIbb bOuhu VI ~ biOWS HAho ho'
started angrily toward Diablo's box. Sh
was at the door when Shandy's cry Of ter
} ror rang out. For an instant the girl hes
itated; what she saw was enough to max
a strong man quail. The black stallion
was loose; with crunching Jaws, he hat
fastened on the arm of Shandy, in the cor
ner Of the stall, and was trying to pull tn
boy down, that he might trample him Il
death.
But for a second she faltered; II eve
quick action were needed 1t was needed
now.
~"Back-back Diablo! back!" she cried
as pushing past the black demon sh'
brought her hunting-crop down with a full
force between his ears.
Whether it was the sound Of his mistress
} voice or the struggling blowout Diabl'
dropped the boy like a crushed rat and. hal
rearing, looked yiciously at the brave girl
Quick! Through the hay window" com
manded Allis, standing between Shandy ant
the horse, and drawing the whip back owe
her left shoulder, ready to give It to Diabl'
} full in the throat, should he charge again
Cowed, the boy clambered through tn
opening.
Enraged at the sight Of his assailaut'
escape, the horse gave another scream o
, dehnance and sought with striking forefee
and spread Jaws to pull down this new
enemy.
Not until then had Allis thought OF call
, ing for help; her one idea had been for tn
boys safety.
Like a fash the full peril Of the situation
dawned upon her; perhaps her life woul'
, be given for the boy who we'll deserved hi
punishment. She had seen two stallion
fight, and knew that their ferocious ma
lures, once aroused, could only be quelleI
by a force stronger than she possessed
Yes, surely she would be killed-her younI
life trampled out by the frenzied animal
Incoherently, not In sequence, but all to
Rether, these thoughts filled her mind; ais
the knowledge that Mike was beyond hear
ing.
"Help-Mortimeri" she called.
He heard Il as he reached the stabl
door. Even hen he would have been to
late had not other rescue come NOR
. quickly.
! In rushing from Lauzsnne's stall, ALI
! had lett the door swinging on its hinges
At the first cry OF defiance from the blacl
stallion Lausanne had stretched high hi