The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-03-17
Richmond, Va, March ~, 1907.


light the riders face as, with UNI
breaKable knee grip and elf-posses-
sion that never deserted him, he logged
the steed Into subsection
In telling Lefty that there was no
horse he could not safely manage and
control Conover had but repeated an
oft-made boast--a boast whose truth he
had score of times proven. lie was
not q constant equestrian. He never
rode for the mere pleasure of 1t. In or
binary moments he cared little for such
recreation. But when he was angered
or perplexcd, or desired to frcghcn faded
nerves or brain, his first order was for
his newest, worst.tempered horse.
As he rode 30 semi occasionally and
as the horse he selected was usually
ono which even his pluckiest grooms
feared to exercise, the brute in aucs-
ton was fairly certain to be in a state
of rampant, rank "freshness,n- and to
require the best work Of two men TO
lead him from the stables to the porte
cochere. AS few stceds could long with
sand such training as Conovcr inflicted,
he was forever changing mounts Tho
horse or the hour would wax 80 tame
and doctle as to preclude further ex-
element. or would break blood vessel
or go dead lame in one of the fierce
conflicts with its master. Then new
mount must be sought out.
~ was barely month earlier that
X.
hnd bought the great black stallion
at an outrageously high price. And
thus far the purchase still delighted
him. for Dundcrberg not only showed
no signs OF cringing to the masters
a fiery will, but daily grew fiercer and
more unmanageablc.
So, while Mrs. Conover trembled.
wept and alternately prayed and
watched the length Of driveway be-
yond her window. the Ralroader was
wont to dash at breakneck speed along
tho farthest country roads, atop his
huge black horse. checking the mad
pace only for occasional battles-royal
with the ever-fractious beast.
Tonight, coming atop the previous
excitement OF the pleasant home hour"
the strain on Lefty was too great.
Clinging convulsively to Anice the
poor woman wcpt with a hystcrcal
abandon that almost frightened the
girl. Tenderly, lovingly as n mother,
the girl soothed the trembling old lady;
comforting her as only woman OF
great heart and small hand can quiet
ing at length the shuddering Mysteries
into half-stificd sobs.
lad Caleb Conover upstairs wrcst-
lag with an overnight riding booty
CHANGED upon the group, he would have
been sore puzzled to recognize in this
ali-tender, plying maiden the coldly
reserved secretary, on whose unrufIied
composure and steady nerve he had SO
utterly come to rely. go
oh. It's Notwithstanding" painted
Mrs Conovcr, finding voice as the sobs
subsidized. a.f
Yes, yes, I know" soothed Anice
You don't know. You can't know
Il isn't only the horse. It's everything!
sometimes wonder how ! stand It,
Each time II seems as IL"
Don't! Don't. dear! You're over
wrought and tired. Let me take you
mo. 1t does me good. There's never
been any one could talk to. And some
times I've felt I'd give all this abomi-
nable money and everything just for
one hours friendship with any one who
really cared"
but care. Really, really do. lie,
me help you. won't you. please?
want so much to-"
Help me?" echoed the weeping wo.
man, with as near an approach to bit
terness as her crushed spirit coul6
muster Help me? How can any
one help one OF Caleb Conover's slaves
And am the only one OF them all who
has no hope OF escape. The others car
leave him and find work somewhcr,
else. Even the horses he loves to fgh
have the satisfaction of fighting back
But haven't courage enough to di
either OF those things. What can
do?'
1t was the first time in their thre,
years OF daily intercourse that Anic,
Lanier had seen or so much as sus
pected the existence of this feebl
spark of resentment in the older wo
mans cowed SOUL 1t dumfounded her
and left her for the time without powe
OF consoling.
do you know, Miss I4anier," wen
on Lefty. "at one time hated you
Yes"--as she noted the panied surprls
In tho girls big, tear-swimming eyes
actually hated you, You were all
was not. You were not afraid OF hin
He deferred to YOU He never deferre
to me, or to any one else but you sine
he was born. He never cared for me
And he did care for you. II wer
to- die" #s3s
Mrs. Conover!"
Anice had shaken off Mrs. Conover
clinging hands and was on her fee
her eyes dry, her cheeks blazing.
Don't be angry with me! Don't!
whimpered the invalid, IT didn't mea