, yes," the colonel replied, while Hugh continued: "And,
colonel, you'll--you'll be kind to Rocket. He's never been struck a blow
since he was broken to the saddle. He wouldn't know what it meant."

"Oh, yes, I see--Rarey's method. Now I never could make that work. Have
to lick 'em sometimes, but I'll remember Rocket. Good-day," and
gathering up his reins Colonel Tiffton rode slowly away.

Hugh rode back to Frankfort and dismounted at Harney's door.

In silence Harney received the money, gave his receipt, and then watched
Hugh as he rode again from town, muttering: "I shall remember that he
knocked me down, and some time I'll repay it."

It was dark when Hugh reached home, his flashing eyes indicating the
storm which burst forth the moment he entered the room where 'Lina was
sitting. In tones which made even her tremble he accused her of her
treachery, pouring forth such a torrent of wrath that his mother urged
him to stop, for her sake if no other. She could always quiet Hugh, and
he calmed down at once, hurling but one more missile at his sister, and
that in the shape of Rocket, who, he said, was sold for her
extravagance.

'Lina was proud of Rocket, and the knowledge that he was sold touched
her far more than all Hugh's angry words. But her tear a were of no
avail; the deed was done, and on the morrow Hugh, with an unflinching
hand, led his idol from the stable and rode rapidly across the fields,
leading another horse which was to bring him home.

The next morning Lulu came running up the stairs, exclaiming:

"He's done come home, Rocket has. He's at the kitchen door."

It was even as Lulu, said, for the homesick brute, suspecting something
wrong, had broken from his fastenings, and bursting the stable door had
come back to Spring Bank, his halter dangling about his neck, and
himself looking very defiant, as if he were not again to be coaxed away.
At sight of Hugh he uttered a sound of joy, and bounding forward planted
both feet within the door ere Hugh had time to reach it.

"Thar's the old colonel now," whispered Claib, just as the colonel
himself appeared to claim his runaway.

"I'll take him home myself," he said to the old colonel, emerging from
his hiding place behind the leach, and bidding Claib follow with another
horse Hugh went a second time to Colonel Tiffton's farm.

CHAPTER XIV

MRS. JOHNSON'S LETTER

The spring had passed away, and the warm June sun was shining over
Spring Bank, w