ch the doubt, however,
was fast clearing. "Oh, say; are you-uns r'ally glad to see me?"

"No one could be more welcome," he assured her, and the honest pleasure
in his eyes convinced her that he did not speak for mere politeness'
sake.

And now Miss Alathea, recovering from the shock of all that had preceded
the girl's unexpected appearance, went to her cordially. "We are more
than glad, my child," she told her.

"Glad's no name for it," the gallant Colonel said, advancing in his
turn.

There could be no doubt of the sincerity of any one who, thus far, had
expressed a welcome for her; but the voice which now came coldly from
Miss Barbara was less convincing. She did not approach the mountain
girl, but sat somewhat superciliously upon a bench and spoke frigidly.
"It is an unexpected pleasure."

Madge, not trained to hide her feelings under softened words, turned on
her angrily. "Humph! I wasn't askin' you," she said. Then, to the
others: "I didn't know but what my droppin' in, permiskus like--"

"A Kentuckian's friends," said Frank, "are always welcome."

"Friends from the word go, remember," said the Colonel.

"Thankee, Colonel," said the girl. "We'll have that race, some day; but
I won't ride agin you if you ride Queen Bess. Oh, wouldn't I like to see
her go!"

"So you shall," said Frank. "Neb, is she ready?"

"Yessuh; all saddled, sur, an' bridled."

"Oh, let me bring her out," cried Madge. "I'd love to."

"Lawsy, honey," said the negro, "you couldn't bring her out. She's dat
fretful an' dat nervous dat she'd kill yo', suah."

"Get out, Neb!" Madge cried, scornfully. "I ain't afeard of her. Wild
things allays has made friends with me. I've never seen a horse so
skeery that I couldn't manage him--couldn't make him foller me."

She pushed the hesitating Neb out of her path and went into the stable.

Layson, who was for the moment, at a distance, had not heard all her
talk with Neb, but saw her as she went into the stall where none but he,
himself, and Neb, dared go, and it was stable talk that, soon or late,
Queen Bess would prove to be a man killer!

"Neb, stop her! She'll be killed!" he cried.

Neb ran, as fast as his old legs would carry him, into the stable; Frank
hurried to the stable door.

"Madge! Madge!" he cried, and then: "Why--look! The mare is following
her as might a kitten!"

He stepped aside and Madge came from the stable with Queen Bess behind
her, ears pricked forward eagerly as