The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-02-06
CHAPTER XXIV.-Continued.

After tea they set out upon a round
CT inspection, and admired the new
morning room that had been devised
for Lady Mabel in the very latest style
Of Dutch RenaiSSance-wallS the color
of muddy water, gloriied ginger-jars,
ebonized chairs and tables, and will
low-pattern plates all round the Ger
nice; curtains mud-color, with a me-
aiaeval design in dirty yellow. or, in
upholsterer's language "old gold"
Il should like to show you the sta
bles before it is quite dark" said
Rorie, presently. 81 made a few slight
improvements there while the build.
ers were about
You know l have a weakness for
stables" answered Vixen. How many
n lecture l used to get from poor
mamma about my unfortunate tastesi
But can there be anything in the world
nicer than a good, old-faShioned stable,
smelling Of clover and newly cut hay?'
Stables are very nice indeed, and
very useful, in their proper place." re-
marked Miss McCroke, sententiously.
But n ought not to bring the sta.
bles into the drawing-room," said
Vixen, gravely. Come, Rorie, let us
e your latest improvements in stable
gear"
They all went out to the stone-paved
quadrangle, which was as neatly kept
as a West End livery yard. Miss Nc.
Croke had an e~ver-present dread OF
the ubiquitous hind legs of strange
horses; but she followed her charge
into the stable with the same heroic
fidelity with which she would nave fol
lowed her to the scaffold or the stake
There were all Rorie's old favorites-
Starlight Bess, with her shining
brown coat, and one white stocking;
Blue Peter, broad-chested, well-ribbed
and strong of limb; Pixie. the gray
Arab mare, which Lady Jane used to
drive in a park phaeton-quite an an.
cient lady; Donald, the iron-sinewed
hunter.
Vixen knew them all, and went vi
to them and patted their graceful
heads, and made herself at home with
them.
You are all coming to the Abbey
House, you dear things" she said, de
lightedly.
There was a loose box, shut off by
a fve-foot wainscot partition, sur
mounted by a waved iron rail, at one
end of the stable, and on approaching
this Enclosure Vixen was saluted with
sundry grunts and snorting noises
which seemed curiously familiar.
At the sound of these she stopped
short, turned red, and then pale, ant
looked intently at Rorie. who was
standing close by, smiling at her.
This is my Bluebeard chamber" he
said, gayly. There's something too
awful inside"
What horse have you got there?'
cried Vixen, eagerly.
"A horse that l think will carry yo,
nicely, when we hunt together"
What horse? Have l ever seer
him? Do know him."
IF you have a good memory for ole
friends. l think you will know this
one," said Rorie, Withdrawing a bolt
A head pushed open the door, and in
another moment Vixen's arms were
around her old favorite's sleek neck
and the velvet nostrils were shifting
her hair and cheek in most loving rec
ognition.
You dear, lear old fellow!" cried
Vixen; and then turning to Rorie'
you told me he was sold at latter
sall's!" she exclaimed.
$50 he was, and l bought him."
why did you not tell me that?"
Because you did not ask me-"
Il thought you so unkind, so In
different about him."
You we're unkind when you coulC
think it possible / should let your ia
vorite horse fall into strange hands
But perhaps you would rather LORD
Mallow had bought him?"
ITO think that you should have KEEP
the secret all this time!" said Vixen.
You see / am not a woman, ant
can keep a secret. l wanted to have
one little surprise for you, as a rewart
when you had been especially good"
You are good" she cried, standing
On tiptoe to kiss him. And though
have loved you all my life, l dom
think l loved you the least little bii