144 ONLY THE MARE 



thoughts when I heard the rattle of a trap on the 

 road ; it speedily approached, and the moonlight 

 revealed the jolly features of old Tom Heathfield, a 

 friendly farmer. 



" Accident, sir ? " he asked, pulling up. " What ! 

 Mr Yaughan ! " as he caught sight of my face. 



" What's the why 1 that ain't the mare, sure- 



lie .? " 



All the neighbourhood was in a ferment of ex- 

 citement about the races, and the sight of Little 

 Lady in such a place at such a time struck horror 

 to the honest old farmer. 



" Yes, it is — I'm sorry to say. Miss Peyton 

 has met with an accident. I was going for the 

 doctor, and unfortunately there was nothing else in 

 the stable." 



" You was going to Oakley, I s'pose, sir ? It'll 

 be ruination to the mare. Miss Peyton hurt her- 

 self ! I'll bowl over, sir ; it won't take long ; this 

 little horse o' mine can trot a good 'un ; and I can 

 bring the doctor with me. The fences, there, is 

 mended with wire. You'd cut the mare to pieces." 



" I can't say how obliged to you I am " 



" Glad of the opportunity of obliging Miss Peyton, 

 sir ; she's a real lady ! " He w^as just starting 

 when he checked himself. " There's a little public 

 house about a hundred yards further on ; if you 



