she kept her eyes on Madge's pursed
up, cooing lips, head dropped, neck stretched in graceful fashion,
lifting her dainty feet as proudly as ever did the queen whom she was
named for.

"Come on, you beauty!" the girl cried. "Oh, it would be like heaven to
ride you; and I could do it, too!"

"Take her to the track, Neb," Layson ordered. "I'll follow and give her
her exercise."

Madge, unable to resist the impulse which was thrilling her with
longing, motioned Neb away as he approached to take the mare. "Go 'way!
Go 'way!" she said. Then, to the mare: "Come on, you dear, come on." She
went on slowly, while the mare, in calm docility, trailed after her. The
spectators, who knew the beast, gazed spellbound.

Constantly the girl's pleased eyes were on the beautiful creature
following. Never had she seen so perfect an animal; never had she known
one giving such plain signs of high intelligence. The mare's big eyes,
broad forehead, delicate muzzle, arching neck, strong withers, mighty
flanks, and slender ankles marked her, to the veriest novice, a
thoroughbred of thoroughbreds; her docile and obedient march showed what
seemed like an almost magic power in the delighted mountain maid. Every
drop of blood in the girl's body tingled with excitement, all her
muscles thrilled with mad desire to mount the wondrous beast and be away
as on the wind's wings. She could imagine what the mare's long strides
would be, she could imagine how exhilerating she would find the steady,
perfect motion of the mighty back.

"Oh, I can't stand it!" she exclaimed, at length. "I've got to do it!"

She paused, and eagerly the mare stepped up to her, nuzzleing her
caressing hand. Then, with a bound, the girl was on the graceful
creature's back, landing in her place as lightly as a wind-blown
thistle-down, as gracefully as a fairy horsewoman.

"Heavens!" cried Barbara. "She's on Queen Bess!"

"She'll be killed!" Miss Alathea screamed, in terror.

The Colonel, only, recognized her instantly as a born horsewoman. His
expert eye observed with rare delight the ease with which she mounted,
the perfect poise with which she found her seat, the absolute adjustment
of her lithe young motions to the movements of the mare beneath her from
the very moment she had reached her back.

"No danger; she rides like a centaur."

With the others he had stopped, with eyes for nothing but the girl
before them and the splendid animal she rode. "Ah, what a jockey she