"If that's the little beast Wick was telling me about," said Morley,
"we are certainly not going to trust you on him."

The Colonel leaned back upon his knees where he knelt on the porch,
and glared at Morley.

"Who do you mean by we?"

"The conservative party of which I, for once, am a member. From all I
can hear of that colt, no girl could handle him."

"You are absolutely mistaken, sir! I taught my daughter to straddle a
horse before I taught her to walk. Handle him? Of course she can
handle him! Jimpson!" he roared in conclusion, "put the side-saddle on
Prince!"




CHAPTER II


The Cane Run Road lay straight ahead, now white under the full light
of the sun, now dappled with tiny dancing shadows from the interlaced
twigs overhead, new clothed in their garb of green. White and purple
violets peeped from the fence corners, and overhead the birds made
busy in the branches.

Two young people, flushed and smiling, drew rein and looked at each
other. In the eyes of each was a challenge.