The midland journal., 1910-03-04

out Of mischief as long as they
can.
tom has gone back to school"
said Janet demurely
'sDod." cried Charlie, 'it's a droll
thing to hear of lad going to school
that's man-grown like Mr.. Tom.
had the care of all the beasts on my
hands at his age; but he'll be going
in for Parliament and that kind o.
thing, and much learning no doubt"
"Oh, no." said Janet; ''he says it's
too mucn sop. He would like to be
with the horses best.
And you are fond of horses, too.
Miss Janet?" said Blackmore with
an ingratiating tone. We've got a
bonnie wee beast yonder that would
just do for. you. If Mr.. Tom were
the master himself would ask him
to send it over to let you try it. It's
bonnie little thing just At for your
riding. But daur not take such a
liberty" said Charlie, while the
auld folk are there"
my mother is not DID, said Janet
with some indignation.
Ma; not her ladyship; but there's
more than her. / wouldN like to let
you see that little beastie, Miss Janet.
Some day IL should be this way
with her-would you mount and try?
You're too good a rider for an old
brute like that"
"Oh, mother would not be pleased
cried Janet alarmed.
1T would do her ladyship no; harm,
for she need never see -I'll take my
chance; If you will but say ye would
like to see her.
oh" said Janet But some
one just then appeared ON the road,
and Blackmore took OF his hat and
hurried away. The girl was much
disturbed by this encounter; but
there was something in the little mys-
terry of it that pleased her. She went
on to Dalmylian with her heart beat
ing little, thinking that Mr.. Charlie
was very kind. He was man much
older than Tom--almost twice as old,
And he was a handsome fellow in
his velvet coat, with a blue tie which
was very becoming, and blue eyes
which seemed to say a great many
things which confused Janet. Next
day she went out for a little walk
along that quiet road with faint
expectation, wondering if perhaps-it
might be possible? and 10. there was
Charlie on horseback leading the
most charming pony. He jumped of
his horse when he saw her, and fast
ening it to a tree, showed her all the
beauties of the other. What ails
ye to jump on" he said, land Til
take ye for ride, not far, nothing to
tire you?"
"Oh. am not so easily tired
said Janet, her eyes lighting up, .'but
l have no habit--and then moth
Err"
"Her ladyship will be none the
wiser, I" said Charlie, and she knows
I would take good care of you. She
would never mind
do you thing so?" said the girl.
And in moment-it seemed but a
moment-she was pacing along by
the side of the big horse, every
movement of which was restrained
to harmony with her pony's smaller
PAGES. Janet had been Toms victim
to follow at his pace-to do what he
pleased. She had never before knew
the delight of being cared for, con-
sidered as the first object. She rode
for an hour by Blackmore's side, ex-
cited, delighted, half persuaded that
she was a fairy princess, with every
thing that was beautiful and pleasant
made for her use
This happened again and again,
and nobody found it out. 1t was
thought at the Towers that she had
taken to wandering in the woods in
her loneliness, now that Tom had
gone away. and though Lady Car
remarked changing color, and that
Janet's eyes sometimes were bright
and sometimes dreamy, yet nothing
like suspicion of any secret ever
crossed her mind. No such thing en-
tered the mind of any one. And al
ready the household was full of prep
arations for going away, which abb
sorbed. everybody. The first of DC.
tober was the last day before the
departure of the family from the
Towers, and Janet stole out unob-
served as usual, for her last ride.
Never had the pony carried her SO
lightly; never had the little escapade
been so delightful; they came back
slowly. side by side. lingering. un-
willing to acknowledge that it was
over. 'I'll keep the pony for you,
Miss Janet" said Blackmore. mo
body shall touch her but myself. She
shall be kept like lady, like the
bonnie lady she belongs to, till you
come back. 4"
"Oh,> but. Mr., Charlie cried
Janet. you must not do that. They
would not let me buy her. and I'll
have no money of my own for a long
time-not for five years.