Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-26

N% But n e : n
W !:
W black, nor chestnut
\OMH N with white feet.
Keen protest rang
D4SN%X in my tone. | was
>>/"'/" so disappointed
will tell YOU why.
Sioa e.irlbood | had dreamed OF a proud
moment when l. Mary Ellen Hicks, shou'o
,.,a r,veelf sole Dossessor of horse. How
bad envied The Lady Arabella. as
s,,o nrapced across the pages of my
favoritc romance on a shining palfrey
,;,b fo,,, white feet. How had thrilled
10 read of Lord Chillinsly thunderihs
mast on his fiery black My sorrow Wheii
Uncle Jonathan was gathered 10 h's
f-,bers might have been keener but fof
The Legally he had left me; TO DE spent
on luxuries,'' Uncle Jonathan had "Hieu
il. realizing, perhaps. that iuNuries are
few and far between in the life OF a niue
old maid school:la am
| had commissioned the Egg-and-butter
Man 10 find me such horse, promising
him 81, for his trouble. Now he brought
me bay. / hadn't even thouSht ol a
hav In silence | heard him through
You see ma am, blacks is TOO wlid leE
lone woman to handle. As fer chestnut
has ,eno won't mart with 'em. Better LOOK
this Teller over He's purity Color an
no SLOUGH \ lamb couldn't be gentler,
an scare:-why, Dick don't know what
scare is. He'd eat hay off a traction en-
CINE an never prick up his ears. Wouldn I
YOU, Dick"
Dick snuggled up To the Egg-and-butter
Mans arm He whinned gently and re-
.pir
nut out one hand. The great neck arched
for the caress. Softening, l went into the
house. returning with an offering OF sugar.
]. was pleasant TO feel a soft nose mum
bling my hand. and my heart warmed to-
ward Dick. With the sunlight cleaning
against his sleek, rounded sides; slender,
well turned legs, silky. flowing name, he
was, as the Egg-and-Butter Man de-
c!ared mo SLOUGH.
Sound a dollar Stand without
bitchin'. Dotes on women an kids" More
of Dicks virtues.
Are you sure | began impressiveiE.
remembering certain books drawn from
the public library and conned with much
care that he's sound of wind and limb?
The Egg-and- Butter Man stared.
He might have "a SPAWN, or a ring
btne' or 'seedy toes 'Shdley hoofs,
YOU know warming to my subject. Are
YOU sare he hasn't the blind staggers.
or tho big head? a disease, l had
learned with dismay, common among
horses as mankind. He might he a lug
ger or 'cribber, stub his toe or
balk."
'Or turn double-somersau lts with fine
irony Now jest let me hitch him To that
new phaeton you bought, an take YOU
fer ride That'n settle all difficulties.
an if YOU don't say you never drove be-
hind handsomcr. easier-goin' equine, I'll
take him back where / got him, an not
ask a cent fer my trouble"
lie certainly was handsome when in
cased in my new silver-mounte harness
Easy-going: Well just a trife too easy
going, Yet this was not the worst of faults
for the horse of lone woman"
rhe dream of the beautiful black died
hard. yet within the week Richard Occur
de Lion Glled every Granny of my lonely
heart mad rechristened him thus. for
bought him from man named Lyon. and
the title seemed fitted to the noble animal
tiat was soon my very own.
Md since lie was my own. ! wanted 70
drive him myself | resented the Egg
and-Buttcr Mans easy familiarity. Cit
up har. Dick. Step lively l wanted d
handle the long ribbons and feel the beau
tiful body responsive TO my touch saio
So. in substance.
Want TO paddle yer own canoe, Ell:
laughed my so-between. Well, he care
I'll an don't go too near them street
cars''-a parting warning
Now what" / questioned Richard VIII
was peaceably cropping the tender grass
along my flower borders, did he mean
ny that? We've driven alongside dozens
Or cars Why should be CAREFUL
The question bothered me more than
cared TO admit. and perhaps it wasn't al
kindness that made me call out To 4
frecklc-faced youngster passing by
Want to go for drive, Benz"
Ben was over the wheel before the
words were fairly spoken. He caught up
the lax lines and shook them out, while
sank back against the soft cushions CRATE
fully. Ben was frail and slender. Yet
knew his wrists were like iron. for he had
played in and out among the stalls of his
fathers livery barn since babyhood.
We drove 10 my grocer's. While Ber
went inside. | sat waiting. my eyes upon
the great horse before me. Then l was
conscious of some one by my side
turned toward the little ''rattyfaced
man. and stared coldly. l did not like
his looks nor his manner of asking
What are YOU doing with that horse?"
Its my horse" For the life of me
could not keep back a note of pride nor a
fond smile as / glanced at Richard In
the next instant the smile froze on my
lips.
We'll. that's a runaway horse and he'll
so through a brick wall. once he.
started.
Nv heart sank. There Was something
strangely convincing about this Norrid
man. Mr., Young had said TO be careful
What could il all mean?
Are YOU sure ne ever ran away
Ran away with DR. Anderson a yeal
II cIose call you Then