tree. It was from this shelter that she called her
greeting: "Howdy, folks, howdy!"

Frank went toward her with an outstretched hand. "Come, Madge," said he,
encouragingly.

"Reckon I'll have to," she assented, with a bashful smile and took a
step or two reluctantly. But she had never seen folk dressed at all as
were these visitors from the famed bluegrass, and her courage again
faltered. Instantly she realized how wholly her own efforts to be
elegant had failed. She hung back awkwardly, pathetically.

"Don't be nervous, Madge; just be yourself," Frank urged her.

"Free and easy? Well, I'll try; but I'm skeered enough to make me wild
and reckless."

Frank led her forward, while she made a mighty effort to accept the
situation coolly. "These are my friends, Madge. Let me introduce you."

She got some grip upon herself and smiled. "Ain't no need. Know 'em all
by your prescription." With a mighty effort she approached the Colonel.
"Colonel Sandusky Doolittle, howdy!"

The Colonel was delighted. Her knowledge of his name was flattering. He
had forgotten her strange costume the moment his glance had caught her
wonderful, deep eyes. "Howdy, howdy!" he said heartily, shaking her hand
vigorously. "Why, this is real Kentucky style!" It won't take _us_ long
to get acquainted."

"Know all about you now," she said. "Great hossman. Colonel, I'll have a
race with you, sometime."

"What, you ride?" said the delighted Colonel.

"Ride! Dellaw!" said she, with, now, unembarrassed animation. The
subject was that one, of all, which made her most quickly forget
everything beside. "Why, me and my pony takes to racin' like a pig to
carrots. Before he lamed himself, whenever th' boys heard us clatterin'
down th' mounting, they laid to race us back. Away we went, then,
clickity-clip, up th' hills and around th' curves--an' I allus won."

The Colonel realized with a great joy that he had found a kindred
spirit. "Shake again!" he said to her, after further most congenial
talk, and then turned to Frank. "My boy, you're right. She _is_ a
phenomenon--a thoroughbred, even if she hasn't any pedigree."

Up to this time the ladies had remained somewhat in the background,
watching the young mountain girl as the Colonel drew her out.

Madge now turned to Frank, but looked at Barbara. "Is that the young
lady from the bluegrass?" The girl was hurt and really offended by the
stranger's aloof manner. "Looks like she can't see common folks."