own babyhood was not far enough in the background for him to be
tolerant.

Peggy entered the paddock and Shashai at once nozzled her for his
morning lumps of sugar. For the first time in his memory they were not
forthcoming, and his great eyes looked their wondering reproach.

"Not yet, Shashai. "We must keep them for a reward if you behave well."
She slipped an arm over the beautifully arched neck and laid her face
against the satiny smoothness. Shashai approved the caress but would
have approved the sugar much more.

"Give me the saddle, Bud."

The little negro boy handed her the light racing saddle; a very
featherweight of a saddle.

"Steady, Shashai."

The colt stood like a statue expecting the girl as usual to spring upon
his back. Instead she placed upon it a stiff, leather affair which
puzzled him not a little, and from which dangled two curious
contrivances. These, however, she quickly caught up and fastened over
the back and their metallic clicking ceased to annoy him. The buckling
was a little strenuous. Hitherto a surcingle had served to hold the
blanket upon his back, but this contraption had TWO surcingles and a
stiff leather strap to boot, which Peggy's strong hands pulled tighter
than any straps had ever before been pulled around him. He quivered
slightly but stood the test and--a lump of sugar was held beneath his
eager nostrils, If THAT followed it was worth while standing to have