Hoof Beats 



Jerry stuck out his hand. 



"Fancy you, John, riding the Brook after all 

 these years. There's no use trying to thank you 

 about Jane, she's all I've got in the world, you 

 know, except that thoroughbred mare you were 

 on and two half-bred hunters. " 



A ripple of laughter followed. 



"I didn't know you were married, Jerry." 



Striving stared down the road. 



The girl looked up puzzled. 



"Married.^" the Master seemed distressed at 

 the thought. " Heaven forfend ! " 



Striving looked up at him quickly and then at 

 the girl. 



"And you're not going to be?" 

 Never ! ' ' There was no doubting the Master's 

 decision. It was convincing to say the least. 



The girl was beginning to understand and 

 turned her head away. Her shoulders shook and 

 she watched Striving out of the corner of her half- 

 closed eyes. Striving gave up in despair. 



"Then who, I demand to know, is this young 

 lady described as Jane, who says she loves you, 

 and who, you declare, is all you have in the world?'* 



Jerry put his hand over his mouth and guffawed. 



"That young person," he cried, pointing, "is 

 my sister, and if she gets into any more trouble 

 I'm going to take her home and spank her, though 

 80 



