54 JUSTIN MORGAN 



When she finally gave up his rein and turned away, 

 the young horse followed, drawn as by a magnet and 

 dragged the groom with him, scarce seeming to feel the 

 boy pulling at the halter. 



A murmur of polite laughter made Mistress Lloyd 

 look back. 



Smiling sweetly, she turned and stroked True's broad 

 forehead with her magic hand, and, telling him softly, 

 to "go back and be judged," she reminded him he was 

 at a Fair. 



Indeed he needed reminding, for so absorbed had he 

 been in her loveliness that he had forgotten all else ! 



The groom then gave a gentler tug at the halter and 

 True consented to be led before the Judges, who had not 

 yet told the people he was the finest Three-year-old in 

 New England. "The Hartford Wits" and their friends, 

 the Maryland Lloyds, watched the consultation of Judges, 

 hoping the ribband would be given to "Figure." 



In a few moments one of the committee came and 

 spoke a few words to Mistress Lloyd ; she smiled with 

 pleasure, and nodded her pretty head in assent. 



In another moment True heard the sound as of leaves 

 in an autumn forest, and there she was, beside him once 

 more, a fillet of blue in her hand. 



Daintily she reached the headstall of his halter and 

 firmly she tied it on — all the while talking to him, oh, 

 so sweetly : 



"And so 'tis yours ! I knew 'twould be, you beauty ! 

 You're far lovelier than your father, even, and you must 

 always be a good colt and make everybody love you as 

 you've made me !" 



Somehow, True did not mind being called a "colt" by 

 her, it seemed more like a caress than patronage ; but 

 had the Coxcomb^ standing by, done it he would have 

 been tempted to take a whirl at him. 



