of hay, his hands clasped under his head, heard light and
uneven footsteps slowly approaching across the barn floor. He was
instantly alert in every sense, but he did not move.

"Betty dear," said a soft voice. Then a slender figure came into view
in the dim light, walking with a limp and painfully. A loose blue robe
trailed about her, and two long brown braids, curling at the ends,
hung over her shoulders. She came slowly into the stall and stood and
looked at Betty. Suddenly she put both arms around the mare's neck,
laid her cheek against the animal's face, and spoke to her.

"Poor Betty," she said, pitifully. "Did you fall into the hands of a
cruel girl, who hurt you for all the rest of your life? Can you
forgive her, Betty? She didn't mean to do it, dear. She was out of
temper herself, because she couldn't have her own way--when she didn't
_want_ her own way--Betty--can you understand? You were doing the best
you could--she made you act such a silly part. Dear little Betty--she
would stand beside you all night long, just to punish herself, if she
could--but----"

She leaned against the side of the stall, and sank slowly down to the
ground, with a hand pressed to her knee. Jarvis, on the hay, stirred
involuntarily, and with a little cry of alarm the girl struggled to
her feet again. At the next instant, as Jarvis spoke gently and his
face came into view in the lantern light, she leaned once more,
breathing quickly, against the side of the stall. Her face as she
stared at him was like that of a startled child.

"You mustn't stand, you're not fit," he said, anxiously. "You ought
not to have come. Let me help you back."

She gazed at him beseechingly. "Please let me stay a few minutes," she
said. Was this meek creature the willful young person of the morning?
"I can't sleep for thinking of her, and I want to make her understand
that I'm sorry."

"I think she does. If she doesn't, she at least appreciates the tone
of your voice. Even a horse might have sense enough for that. Let me
bring you something for a seat, if you will stay."

He found an empty box, covered it with a new blanket, and set it by
the side of the stall. She sat down and studied the arrangement of the
appliances for the keeping of the mare in the quiet necessary to the
healing of the broken leg. Jarvis explained it all to her, and she
listened eagerly and attentively. But when he had finished she asked
him abruptly:

"Did you hear what I said