The Black Swans 



eral character he stood out somewhat 

 from the common herd. And he, like 

 Splash, was not assigned promiscuous- 

 ly. He was one of those face-cards in 

 the pack, apparently held up his sleeve 

 by Harry, to be dealt only to some one 

 who had first demonstrated a capacity 

 for really enjoying his good points. 

 This chanced to be Lucile. Now Lucile 

 had not been just fortunate in the 

 original draw. Her first one was too 

 slow, and Prince had proved a surly, 

 heady brute, always looking for a 

 chance to get the bit between his 

 teeth and go. White Man, a little the 

 worse for wear perhaps, but still with 

 much in his favor, was the next candi- 

 date, but one day he had the mis- 

 fortune to fall flat, so still another was 

 requisitioned. The lady had through 

 all this clearly established her claim 

 to better treatment, and thus it came 

 to pass that Blaze was duly awarded 

 her, and so far as I know ridden hap- 

 pily ever after. 



[78] 



