animal.

"Shelby, Shelby, how did it happen? Oh, how did it?" she cried as she
lifted the horse's head to her lap. The panting creature looked at her
with great appealing, terror-stricken eyes, as though imploring her to
save the life-spark now flickering so fitfully.

"God knows, miss," answered the foreman of the paddock. "We did not find
her until a half hour ago. If I'd a-found her sooner it would never a-
come to this. We ain't never had no such accident on the estate since
_I_ been on it, and I'd give all I'm worth if we could a-just have
missed THIS one. Some fool, _I_ can't find out who, left them hedge
shears a-hanging wide open across the gate and the gate unlatched, and
she must a run foul of 'em, 'cause we found 'em and all the signs o'
what had happened, but we couldn't find HER for more 'n hour, and then
THIS is what we found. I sent Bud for you and Jim for the Vet, but we've
all come too late." The man spoke low and hurriedly, and never for a
moment ceased his care for the mare. The veterinary who had arrived but
a few moments before Peggy stood by helpless to do more than had already
been done by Shelby, the veteran horse-trainer who had been on the
estate for years, and who loved the animals as though they were his
children. It was evident that the Empress' moments were numbered. She
had severed one of the great veins in her flank and had nearly bled to
death before discovered. Her little foal stood near, surprised at his
dam's indifference to his needs, his little baby face and great round
eyes, so like his mother's, filled with questioning doubt. As Peggy bent
over the beautiful dying mare's head, tears streaming from her eyes, for
she had cared for her and loved her since colthood, the little foal gave
a low nicker and coming up behind the girl, thrust his soft muzzle over
her shoulder and nestled his head against her face, trembling and