e were more questions Marjorie would have liked to ask, but the
subject was evidently a very painful one to her new acquaintance, for
Grace had grown rather pale, and there was a look of horror in her eyes.
So she said no more, and the two girls went downstairs, where they found
the family assembled, and where Marjorie was introduced to Harry
Patterson--Grace's brother--a pleasant-faced boy of seventeen.

The Pattersons stayed to luncheon, and Marjorie liked them immensely.
Grace soon recovered from the momentary depression, caused by recalling
painful memories, and Marjorie was quite ready to endorse Beverly's
opinion that "she was one of the jolliest girls going." They had a very
merry morning, and after luncheon it was proposed that Marjorie and
Beverly should ride home with the Pattersons, who had come over on their
ponies.

"Marjorie is pining for a gallop, I know," said Beverly, laughing; "she
is as wild about horses as you are, Grace, and trained a colt when she
was nine."

"How jolly!" cried Grace; "you and I can have some fine rides together,
Marjorie. I haven't had a girl to ride with since--" Grace did not
finish her sentence, but Marjorie knew by her suddenly heightened
color, and the glance she gave Beverly, that she was thinking of her
cousin Barbara.

"I declare they've brought Nelly Gray for you to ride!" whispered Grace
to Marjorie, as the two girls stood on the veranda, waiting to mount. "I
didn't know any one rode her now."

"She's a beauty," said Marjorie, with an admiring glance at the handsome
little chestnut mare, which was being led up to the door by a groom.

"Oh, she's a love! She was Babs's pony, and Babs loved her dearly. I
remember she taught her to take sugar out of her pocket."

Nelly Gray certainly was "a love" and Marjorie enjoyed that ride as she
had enjoyed few things since leaving her Western home. It was a
beautiful afternoon, and Nelly herself appeared to enjoy it almost as
much as her rider. They took the longest way round to the Patterson
home, and when they had left their friends, Beverly proposed that they
should ride a few miles farther, and come home by a different road.

"I think I could ride all night without getting tired," laughed
Marjorie. "This is an adorable pony."

"She was my sister's pony," said Beverly.

"Yes, I know, your cousin told me. It was awfully good of you and your
mother to let me ride her."

Beverly said nothing, and they rode on for a few mo