Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-03-23

said. what Of It? He is the best and
handsomest man ever saw, and
there's no finer gentleman than he.
You can ask Sally If there is. for she
knows him."
"And thoroughly approves Of him.
Sally finished, taking my hand. Duke,
I assure you Betty is to be congratu'
lated. understand that the duchess
was not averse to her marrying an
American, and the one she has chosen
is Of the very best type"
81 beg your pardon, Miss Woodburn,
but hang the type" said Stan. who
never did get on with Sally. IT'S abb
solutely impossible that my sister
should marry such person. and you
ought to have known better than to
encourage her. This is a hundred
times worse than I thought when
flung up the best shoot Of the season
to come and fetch you, Betty. You
and I were always by way of being
pals, but I agree with the mater now
You've behaved disgracefully, and as
for the man. whoever he Isl
Here he comes to speak for him,
SELF" cut in Sally. squeezing my hand
hard.
There was a sound in the distance
voices shouting, but not the voice
loved. We all looked. and q black
horse with q man on his back sprans
into sight, lire a rocket gone wrong
It was Jim, looking more beautiful
than any picture Of man ever paint
ed, his face transported with the Joy
Of battle and triumph and that fiend 4,
horse shape under him doing all he
knew to kill.
It was terrible and yet splendid
thing to see. that struggle. hadn't
known how l adored Jim and how
admired him till I saw him with tina,
smile on his face. sitting the black
devil as II he were one with him In
spite Of the brute's murderous plunges
The tw) shot past the house like a
streak Of lightning, then wheeled back
again, the horse clearing ditch and a
five barred fence from one meadow
into another, but he didn't jump In spite
Of Jim: rather was 1t in spite Of him.
self. Then ther. was series OF mad
buck jumpings. l,aps into the air and
downward plunges. The beast sat on
his launches and then reared up with
a great bound. to waltz OH his hind
legs and paw the ai-, snorting. But
still Jim smiled and kept his seat with.
out. the least apparent effort.
"Jovel That fellow can ride" NUT.
tered Stan, taken out Of himself by
his mans admiration for man.
Its Jim Brett-my Jim Brett"
cried. What do you think Of him
nowY
But 1t didn't occur to Stan TO an
swer. | don't suppose he even heard.
He WAS far too deeply absorbed in the
passing drama, and in minute more
Jim and the black horse were out OF
sight again.
But | was not at all afraid for him
now. was only proud and sure-as
sure as | was Of llfe-that he would
conquer.
Nobody spoke. Mr.. Trowbrldge and
Mr.. Jacobsen, the disagreeable cowbeli
man, who owned the horse, ran by as
fast as they could go. too excited 20
glance at the house Mrs. Trowbridge
and the girls had come from the kitch'
en- and were hanging over the nearest
fence. Patty was whimpering IL lit
tie, 80 l guessed all In a fash that she
had cared for Jim.
We stood still In our places and
watched. could hear my heart beat,
and 1t had not time TO calm down be-
fore Jim came riding back on the black
horse-a changed black horse. all win
ming airs and graces. to cover shamed
penitence now.
The creature pirouetscd No the side
road. and jim stopped aim at the YER
anda, patting the thro55.rg b.acS neck.
We'll, I believe III buy a;n myself"
be said. smiling to me. anu then he saw
Mrs. Ess Kay and my brother.
"By Jove. Marlborough" said Stan.
ut Is you. isn't It? Surely It isn't
your double?"
Marlborough It is." said Jim. while
I listened. dumb with wonder. How
are you, duke? I was rather expect
ing you n:Sht turn Up. but ! caoled to
you last night to Bodies ana wrote
you this morning OH the chauco you
hadn't started"
"We.l. I'm b!owed." remarked Stan.
most inelegantly. "Are you Brett OF
Is Brett you, or Is he somebody eIse?'
"AIy name is James Brett Harbor'
ough. Perhaps you didn't know OF had
forgotten" said Jim. and then. jump.
Ing off the horse and throwing the
lines to Mr.. Jacobsen. who had just
trotted anxiously up, lie came to me.
evil you forgive me?" he asked.
81 don't know vet what it's al