The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1937-10-22
Bv RUTH ASHTON
Illustrated bu Henrietta McCaig Sfarreff

whinned pitifully
Come on. Pal There's a good girl.
he urged gently.
Rut the mare refused to bulge Glen
picked a short, prickly ive-oak oranch
and slapped her flank Reluctantly sne
began to walk in a stiff. queer gait
II could kill some one" Glen NUT
tered.
a little later, he heard footsteps rum
ming toward him.
"Gleni" called 10. Glen, wait min
ute"
He did not turn around. but continued
leading Pal slowly and steadily.
She came up painting Glen. what
it?" Her voice was full OF alarm.
..Her muscles are locked" he said
coldly.
whats that? Oh, Glen, have done
something terrible?"
You've nearly ridden her to death
That's ALL"
aWill she-will she get over it?'
Il hope So" His voice was like steel
barrier between them.
"Oh Gleni l never dreamed / was
hurting her We were having such
good time
Its good thing you're not man
Il wish / Werel Oh. wish Were!"
she choked. i wish you'd beat me, Glen"
They walked and walked and walked.
Men and horses are just playthings
to you." he said bitterly. They're in
vented just for your amusement don't
mind what you do to men SO much, They
should be able to take care of them
selves. But horses are different. No one
can mistreat my horses and get away
with it,"
FTyHEY continued walking. Glen Was
= beginning to be a little tired. He
glanced at 10 trudging at his side. Her
face was the picture of misery. and from
time to time she looked at Pal anxiously.
The mares gait showed improvement.
but there was still slight stiffness In
the forelegs.
They must have covered miles, back
and forth in the vicinity Of the club
house, when Pals walk began to appear
normal Glen stopped and lifted the
mares foreleg. bending it at the knee.
Pal sWished her tail and looked back
iongingly toward the stables.
He patted her. "All right. old girl.
Wen go home now"
rs sl1e--?n
JOS face was pale in the dim noon
light. her eyes two dark pits.
Better Glen said shortly
Back at the clubhouse, he led Pal TO
the watering trough, where she drank
thirstily. Glen stopped her before she
had taken too much.
That's enough for now, old girl.a
She willingly went into her stall, and
Glen covered her with blanket When
he had come out and closed the door. she
stuck her head through the opening and
let 10 pet her nose.
i do believe she forgiyes mel" 10
laughed shakily.
Il hope So
Glen purposely kept all sympathy out
OF his voice, although he knew the poor
child must be exhausted
We'll. then guess there's nothing to
do but go home Is there7"
NO" he replied. Nothing to do but
go home. Good night"
Good night" And then family, And
/ am sorry
(SLEN got into his car and drove away
without looking back to where her
/, car was parked. 1t would be just like her
IN hnryn ri, A,-a,. I'LL
And he didn't want to have to tow her
home.
But then there was Pal Had he re-
membered to cover her with blanket?
Pal mustn't catch cold He turned his
car around, telling himself firmly that 1t
was only because Of Pal
JOS car was right where she had left
1t. and 10 was nowhere in sight Won
deringly. he went down to Pals stall. He
stopped when he heard voice--a sweet
contrite little voice.
Il wouldn't have hurt you for the
world, darling. Nobody ever told me be-
fore that rules were important. And he
hates me now. Pal-and--" There
was little choking sob. "And I'VE gone
and f-faller in l-loye with himl'
Who's there?" asked Glen loudly.
The air was filled with sudden heavy
silence
How many times have told you not
to talk to yourself, Pail"
He opened the door Of the stall and his
J arms encircled trembling little figure
in white. He held her close her head
nestled against his shoulder, and he
could feel warm tears through his fan
mel shirt.
'Everything's all right, honey. Pals
going to get we'll Don't cry
She raised her head and looked at him
III wonder
And you don't hate me?"
If his heart had not already melted, 1t
would have melted now at the child-like
radiance in her face He had to swallow
lump in his throat, she was so beau
tiful in the moonlight.
!. No, darling, ! don't hate you. Is theirs
= any room for me in your collection?"
She smiled at him with starry eyes
7 never really liked collecting" she
said and added softly, I'D much rather
be collected
" Then he did the thing he had been
i wanting to do all evening. He kissed her.