"Oh, yes, I see--Rarey's method. Now I never could make that work. Have

to lick 'em sometimes, but I'll remember Rocket. Good-day," and

gathering up his reins Colonel Tiffton rode slowly away.

Hugh rode back to Frankfort and dismounted at Harney's door.

In silence Harney received the money, gave his receipt, and then watched

Hugh as he rode again from town, muttering: "I shall remember that he

knocked me down, and some time I'll repay it."

It was dark when Hugh reached home, his flashing eyes indicating the

storm which burst forth the moment he entered the room where 'Lina was

sitting. In tones which made even her tremble he accused her of her

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treachery, pouring forth such a torrent of wrath that his mother urged

him to stop, for her sake if no other. She could always quiet Hugh, and

he calmed down at once, hurling but one more missile at his sister, and

that in the shape of Rocket, who, he said, was sold for her

extravagance.

'Lina was proud of Rocket, and the knowledge that he was sold touched

her far more than all Hugh's angry words. But her tear a were of no

avail; the deed was done, and on the morrow Hugh, with an unflinching

hand, led his idol from the stable and rode rapidly across the fields,

leading another horse which was to bring him home.

The next morning Lulu came running up the stairs, exclaiming: "He's done come home, Rocket has. He's at the kitchen door."

It was even as Lulu, said, for the homesick brute, suspecting something

wrong, had broken from his fastenings, and bursting the stable door had

come back to Spring Bank, his halter dangling about his neck, and

himself looking very defiant, as if he were not again to be coaxed away.

At sight of Hugh he uttered a sound of joy, and bounding forward planted

both feet within the door ere Hugh had time to reach it.

"Thar's the old colonel now," whispered Claib, just as the colonel

himself appeared to claim his runaway.

"I'll take him home myself," he said to the old colonel, emerging from

his hiding place behind the leach, and bidding Claib follow with another

horse Hugh went a second time to Colonel Tiffton's farm.




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