The Girl Behind The Mask

beginning," Miss Marie said to he

Following a sudden impulse, she entered the paddock and, pulling a handful of clover, invited the creature to come and eat. Thi

f. "I am not your master, and you rebel. Ne

She took no notice, but plaited the daisies and sang on as if he was not there. This seemed to pique the petted creature, for, slowly approaching, he came at length so close that he could smell her little foot and

restrain himself any longer and, leaping the wall, came to join the group, saying, with mingled admiration and wonder in countenance and voice, "Good morning, Miss Marie. If I had no

who has not betrayed my faith in him. Your trainers did not know

r hand on Hector's neck while he ate the grass

has rejected all friends but his master. Will you give him his mornin

with eyes so bright and beautiful in expression that

. He is a lonely fellow, for he scorns his own kind and

Anderson?" And a softly compassionat

's sake. Younger sons have no position so they have to mak

." And Miss Marie paused, as if rememb

t mind me. You thought I was the heir, perhaps

is name, nor observe him enough to discover who he was. I s

sentence better than any words. He was still a boy, in spite of him being twenty-one years,

ful little airhead. My mother's ill health and Emily's devotion to her have prevented our attending to her education before. Next wi

ying myself here. When one has been ill and shut up a long time, the country is so lovely o

id as they walked toward the house, while Hector followe

can arrange flowers prettily, which annoys me, for Mamma is so fond of them and cannot go out herself. You have charming taste," she said, examining t

her a daily bouquet; for I will find real delight in doing it, if it would please her." You are very kind! Of course it would please her. I'll