He proved a valuable adjunct to Crimmins; rank was waived in the
stables, and a sincere regard sprang up between master and man, based
on the fundamental qualities of real manhood and a mutual passion for
horse-flesh. And if the acid little cockney suspected that Garrison had
ever carried a jockey's license or been track-bred, he respected the
other's silence, and refrained from broaching the question again.

Meanwhile, to all appearances, things were running in the harmonious
groove over at the Desha home. Since the night of Mr. Waterbury's
arrival Sue had not mentioned the subject of the overdrawn balance, and
the colonel had not. If the girl thought her father guilty of a slight
breach of honor, no hint of it was conveyed either in speech or manner.

She was broad-minded--the breadth and depth of perfect health and a
clean heart. If she set up a high standard for herself, it was not
to measure others by. The judgment of man entered into no part of her
character; least of all, the judgment of a parent.

As for the colonel, it was apparent that he was not on speaking terms
with his conscience. It made itself apparent in countless foolish little
ways; in countless little means of placating his daughter--a favorite
book, a song, a new saddle. These votive offerings were tendered in
subdued silence fitting to the occasion, but Sue always lauded them to
the skies. Nor would she let him see that she understood the contrition
working in him. To Colonel Desha she was no longer "my little girl," but
"my daughter." Very often we only recognize another's right and might by
being in the wrong and weak ourselves.

Every spare minute of his day--and he had many--the colonel spent in