"'It fitted her exactly,'"murmured Jewel."They always say so in fairy stories.
"Look here,"said her grandfather.He put his hand into the stirrup and drew out a folded bit of paper.He handed it to the child,who began to wonder if she was dreaming.
DEAR JEWEL (she read),--I believe you expected Divine Love to send you a horse.I have come to belong to you,and my name is STAR.
It was astonishing what a large,round penmanship the pony possessed.
There was no possibility of mistaking a word.
Jewel read the note over twice as she stood there,the long,scant skirt,making her look tall.Mr.Evringham stood watching her.His part in the comedy was played.He waited.
She looked up at him with eyes that seemed trying to comprehend a fact too large.
"Grandpa,have you given me this horse?"she asked solemnly,and he could see her hands beginning to tremble.
"Oh,am Ito get some credit for this?"returned the broker,smiling and twisting his mustache."I didn't expect that."He knew her lack of motion would not last long,and was bracing himself for the attack when,to his surprise,she pulled up the impeding skirt and made a rush,not for him,but for the pony.Hiding her face on the creature's satin shoulder,she flung her arm around his throat,and seizing his rippling mane,sobbed as if her heart would break.
Mr.Evringham had not spent weeks in selecting and testing a horse for his granddaughter without choosing one whose nervous system would be proof against sudden assaults of affection;but this onslaught was so energetic that the pony tossed his head and backed to the end of his tether.
His new mistress stumbled after him,her face still hidden.She was trying heroically to stifle the sobs that were shaking her from head to foot.
"Jewel,Jewel,child!"ejaculated her grandfather,much dismayed.
"Come,come,what's this?"
He drew her with a strong hand,and she deserted the pony,much to the latter's relief,and clasping Mr.Evringham as high up as she could reach,began bedewing his vest buttons with her tears.
"Oh,gra--grandpa,I c--can't have him!"she sobbed."There isn't any roo--room for him in our--our fla--fla--flat!""Well,did you expect to keep him in the flat?"inquired Mr.
Evringham,stooping tenderly,his own eyes shining suspiciously,as he put his arms around the little shaking form.
"N--no;but we--we haven't any bar--barn."
The broker smiled above the voluminous,quivering bows.
"Well,hasn't some good livery man in your neighborhood a stable?""Ye--yes."Jewel made greater efforts to stop crying."But I--I talked with mo--mother once about cou--could I ha--have a horse sometime before I grew up,and she said she might buy the horse,but it would cost so much--much money every week to board it,it would be error."Mr.Evringham patted the heaving shoulder.
"Ah,but you don't know yet all about your horse.In some respects I've never seen a pony like him.""I--I never have,"returned the child.
"Oh,but you'll be surprised at this.This pony has a bank account."Jewel slowly grew quiet.
"Nobody has to pay for hisboard and clothes.He is very independent.He would have it that way.""Grandpa!"came in muffled tones from the broker's vest.
"So don't you think you'd better cheer up and look at him once more,and tell him you won't cry on his shoulder very often?"In a minute Jewel looked up,revealing her swollen eyes."I'm ashamed,"she said softly,"but he was--so--be--autiful--I forgot to remember.""Well,I guess you did forget to remember,"returned Mr.Evringham,shaking his head and leading the child to her pony's side.
He lifted her into the saddle and arranged her skirt,brushing away the dust.
"Grandpa!"she exclaimed softly,with a long,quivering sigh,"I'm so happy!""Have you ever ridden,Jewel?"
"Oh,yes,a thousand times,"she answered quickly;"but not on a real horse,"she added as an afterthought.
"H'm.That might make a difference."Mr.Evringham loosed the pony and put the white bridle in the child's hands;then he led the pretty creature down the woodland road.
"I'm sohappy,"repeated Jewel."What will mother and father say!""You'll be a regular circus rider by the time they come home."As the broker spoke these words Zeke appeared around the bend in the road,riding Essex Maid.His face was alight with interest in the sight that met him.
Jewel called to him radiantly."Oh,Zeke,what do you think?""I think it's great,"he responded."Hello,little kid,"he said,as he came nearer and perceived the signs in the child's face."Pony do any harm,Mr.Evringham?"he asked with respectful concern.
"No;Jewel cried a little,but it was only because I told her she could not sleep nights in Star's manger."The child gave one look of astonishment at the speaker's grave countenance,and then shouted with a laugh as spontaneous as though no tear had ever fallen from her shining eyes.
"See Essex Maid look at my pony,grandpa!"she said joyously."She looks so proud and stuck up.""Look away,my lady,"said the broker."You'll see a great deal more of this young spring before you see less."Zeke dismounted.
"Now then,"Mr.Evringham looked up at the child."I'm going to let go your bridle.""I want you to,"she answered gayly.
