Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-07
THE NAN
ON THE BOX
By
HAROLD MAC GRATH


Yes. madame 1t was as a trooper that
l learned horsemanship."
What regiment"
Il prefer not to say,'-Quietly.
II do not like mysteries. briefly.
Madam, you have only to dismiss me-
to permit me to thank you for paying my
opportunity"
She closed her lips tightly. No one but
herself knew what had been on the verge
of passing across them.
Let us proceed to the stables" was all
she said. IF you prove yourself capable
horseman. that is all desire
The stable-boy slid back the door. and the
two entered Warburton glanced quickly
about: all was neatness. There was light
and ventilation, too. and the box-stalls
were roomy. The girl stopped before a
handsome bay mare. which whinnied when
it saw her. She laid her cheek against the
animals nose and talked that soft jargon
so embarrassing to man and so Ineligible
to babies and pet animals. Lucky horse.
he thought; but his face expressed nothing
This is Jane, my own horse and there
are few living things l love so well. Re-
member this. She is a thoroughbred. a
first-class hunter: and 1 have done more
than five feet on her at home"
She moved on. Wharburton followed
soberly and thoughtfully. There was
good deal to think of Just now. The
more he saw of this girl, the less he
understood her purpose in hiring him.
She couldn't possibly know anything about
him, who or what he was. With his
beard gone he defed her to recognize
III MIN the man who had travelled across
the Atlantic with her. highbred woman,
such as she was, would scarcely harbor
any kind feelings toward a man who had
acted as he was acting. If any man had
kissed Nancy the way he had kissed
her. he would have broken every
bone in his body hired some one to do
1t. And she had paid his fine at the DO
lice station and had hired him on proha-
ton! Truly he was In the woods. and
Sj nf hinva
will be seen that my hero hadn't had
much experience with women. She knew
nothing of him whatever. She was SIM
ply curious. and brave enough to attempt
TO have this curiosity gratified OF course,
l do not venture to say that. had he been
coarse in appearance, she would have had
anything to do with him.
This Is DICK. my fathers horse, '-nod-
ding toward sorrel. large and well set up.
He will be your mount. The animal In
the next stall is Pirate
Pirate was the handsnmest black geldng
Warburton had ever laid eyes on.
What a beauty he exclaimed enthu-
siastically, forgetting that grooms should
be utterly without enthusiasm. He reached
out his hand to pat the black nose, when
warning cry restrained him. Pirates
lay fiat.
Take care. He is a bad-tempered ami
NAL No one rides him, and we keep him
only to exhibit at the shows. Only half
4 dozen men have ridden him with any
success. He won't take a curb in his
mouth, and he always runs away. 1t takes
a very strong man to hold him In. l
really don't believe that he's vicious. only
terribly mischievous like a bullying boy
II should like to ride him."
The girl looked at her new groom in a
manner which expressed frank astonish-
ment. Was he in earnest, or was 1t mere
bravado? An idea came to her, mis-
chievous idea.
"If you can sit on Pirates back for ten
minutes, there will not be any question of
probation. L promise to engage you on
the spot, recommendation or no recommen-
dation.' Would he back down?
'Where are the saddles, madam" he
asked calmly, though his blood moved
faster.
"On the pegs behind you"-becoming in
terested. DO you really intend to ride
him.
with your permission
Il warn you that the risk you are rum
ming Is great
II am not afraid of Pirate madame" in
a tone which implied that he was not
afraid of any horse living. And besides. I'm
not sure that James didn't want to show off
before the girl-another very human trait
in mankind. For my part, l wouldn't give
yesterdays rose for a man who wouldn't
show off once in a while when his best
girl is around and looking on.
ON your head be 1t, then sudden ner-
vousness Selling her. Yet she az
eager to witness the encounter as he was
to court it. William she called. The
stable boy entered, setting aside his broom.
This Is James, the new groom. Help
him to saddle Pirate
Saddle Pirate, Miss Annesley." cried the
boy. his mouth open and his eyes wide.
You see?" said the girl to Warburton.
Take down that saddle with the hooded
stirrups." said Warburton, briefly. He
would ride Pirate now, even if Pirate had
been sired in Beelzebub's stables. He care
fully inspected the saddle, the stirrup
straps and the girth. very good. indeed indeed
menace and a constant danger. Now bring
out Pirate, William
William brought out the horse, who
snorted when he saw the saddle on the
floor and the curb on Warburton's arm.
There hasn't been anybody on his back
for a year, sir; not since last winter. He's
likely to give you trouble said the boy
You can't put that curb on him. sir, he
won't stand for it moment. Miss Annes-
ley, hadn't you better step outside? de
may start kicking. That heavy English
snaffie is the best thing l know Of Try
that, sir And don't let him get his head
down he'll do you. Whoa as Pirate
suddenly took it into his head to leave the
barn without any ones permission.
The girl sprang lightly into one of the
empty stalls and waited. She was greatly
excited. and the color in her cheeks was
not borrowed from the poppies She saw
the new groom take Pirate by the fore
lock, and quicker than ,xu words $, can can
ing the cold bit He reared war
burton caught him by the nose
and the neck. Pirate came down, trembling
with rage.
Here, boy; catch him here" cried War
burton. William knew his business, and he
grasped the bride close under Pirates
Jaws That's 1t. Now hold him.
Warburton picked up the saddle and
threw it over Pirates glossy back. Pirate
waltzed from side to side, and shook his
head wickedly. But the man that was TO
mount him knew all these signs. Swiftly
he gathered up the end of the belly-band
strap and ran 1t through the iron ring. In
and out he threaded it, drawing 1t tighter
and tighter. He leaped into the saddle ana
adjusted the stirrups, then dismounted
'I'Il take him now, William, said James,
smiling.
"An right SIR said William. glad
enough to be relieved of all further respon-
sibility.
James led Pirate into the small court ana
waited for Miss Annesiey, who appeared IN
the doorway presently.
flames. 1 regret that urged you to ride
him You will be hurt" she said. Her
worry was plainly visible on her face
james smiled his pleasantest and touched
his hat =.
VERY well, then; have warned you. IL
he bolts, head him for a tree. That's tho
only way to stop him."
James shortened the bride rein TO the
length took a firm grin on Pirates