Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-23

early to mill with the carriage pair and the
two brood mares were at grass. 1t started
her not a little as she came to the gate to
hear mans voice swearing roundly, also
the quick patter of small stones rapidly
thrown. She ran inside and saw a tall fell
low, roughly dressed, with a disreputable
hat pulled low over his eyes, trying vainly
TO drive her own mare, Fleeta, from a coign
of vantage in the main stable door.
F'leeta stood half in, half out both ears
batted, her eyes cleaning wickedly. When
ever the man made to approach her she
showed threatening teeth and half reared,
striking out with fore hoof. Old John had
evidently left her loose in the stall with the
door lightly latched, and unlatching it was
no trick at all to her. Evidently, also, she
did not like the strangers looks, still less
that of the two horses, fully equipped,
which he had led in. meaning, no
doubt, to make them her stall mates. Elsa
herself had taught Fleeta thus to stand
guard, but nature had implanted the dis
like for stranger horses. Fleeta had tenn
per of her own; even her mistress could not
count on her. The temper was always IN
certain upon days such as this. of rainy
sunshine and quick gusty winds, April
changes in the midsummer warmth of June
What are you doing here? Who gave
you leave?' Elsa began, her voice thin and
strained.
The man interrupted her without turning
his head:
II gave myself leave so that Idiot OF
Jap could get at other things. and I'm try
ing to get that shrewish brute out of my
way. Come and help me, right straight,
else l shall be tempted to chuck I'D this
whole fool scheme
who are your Elsa demanded gruffly,
shrinking back to the ambush Of the gate.
Still without turning, the man answered In
his own key:
Whats that to you? Come along. l tell
you! Are you afraid OF horses too? l am,
and the boss is afraid of dogs, were
pair
Go Nh tel
/ didn't know he was TO keep horses" Elsa
began.
Neither did Until we got to the sta
ton" the tall fellow growled, half turning
step with him. The ponies my mother
gave me- are good enough for me-"
''Then-k wish you had known. Perhaps
the gentleman and his highfiown friend
might haveIstayed away If their Wallets had
rebeiied." Elsa said. stepping into view and
speaking in her own voice.
The tall fellow started slightly and
smothered a whistle to a sigh, Right you
are, miss" he said with exaggerated def
ference. THAT is-unless it's as l suspect
the boss wants to help out an aid fame.
hear she's widow with an orphan-he's
death on taking care of widows and or
phans. l judge you one of the regular
boarders You mustn't mind us-our gang
won't interfere with your grub-it's going
to forage for Itself
when did you Gomez" Elsa asked.
The man grinned reiectively. "On the
7:15 down train" he said. THE boss sent
me on ahead with these cattle" nodding at
the horses. Made me put on his riding
toys" with glance at his stained cordu-
roys and dusty leggins, but l walked best
part OF the way. Now. please ma'am won't
you send somebody to help me? There
must be a man somewhere around"
There isn't-but I'll help YOU, Elsa said
cOurageousiy. walking toward Fleeta and
whistlinS clearly.
Fleeta came out of the door but kept
her ears batted. Elsa said to the tall man
over her shoulder: Take your horses out
side until I have her battered"
But when he had vanished and she tried
to slip on the halter Fleeta showed her
clean pair of heels. running up and down
the stable lot. now and again lowering her
head and making little rushes so fierce Elsa
shrank from them in spite of herself. She
was not afraid of FIeeta-she had said
truly she was never afraid OF anything.
But knowing the mares moods as she did,
she knew there was danger, notwIthstand-
ing she kept on until at last She had the
tricky creature captive.
Flushed and painting, her hair blowing
about her eyes, she led her captive toward
the gate. The tall fellow stood leaning
against It. staring at her with admiration