ng
excitedly, while his friends jumped or swam through the cool waves.

Jewel was eager that her horse and dog should become acquainted; so, when
late in the afternoon Essex Maid and Star were brought out at the customary
hour, saddled and bridled, she performed an elaborate introduction between
the jet-black picture pony and the prince among dogs. Star arched his neck
and shook his wavy mane as he gazed down at the golden dog with his full
bright eyes. He had seen Topaz before; for the collie had spent the night
in the barn, making sunshine in a shady place as he romped about the man in
the checked suit.

"Oh, grandpa!" laughed Jewel, as Star pawed the ground, "he looks at Topaz
just the way Essex Maid used to look at him when he first came. Just as
_scornful_!"

She knelt down on the grass by the pony, in her riding skirt, and Topaz
instantly came near, hopefully. He had already learned that by sticking to
her closely he was liable to have good sport; but this time business
awaited him. Mr. Evringham watched the pony and dog, with the flaxen-haired
child between them, and wished he had a kodak.

"Now, Star and Topaz, you're going to love one another," said Jewel
impressively. "Shake hands, Topaz." She held out her hand and the dog sat
down and offered a white paw.

"Good fellow," said the child. "Now I guess you're going to be surprised,"
she added, looking into his yellow eyes. She turned toward the pony, who
was nosing her shoulder, not at all sure that he liked this rival. "Shake
hands, Star," she ordered.

It took the pony some time to make up his mind to do this. It usually did.
He shook his mane and tossed his head; but Jewel kept patting his slender
leg and offering her hand, until, with much gentle pawing and lifting his
little hoof higher and higher, he finally rested it in the child's hand,
although looking away meanwhile, in mute protest.

"Good Star! Darling Star!" she exclaimed, jumping up and hugging him.
"There, Topaz, what do you think of that?" she asked triumphantly. For
answer the golden dog yawned profoundly, and Mr. Evringham and Jewel
laughed together.

"Such impoliteness!" cried the child.

"You must excuse him if he is a little conceited," said the broker. "He
knows Star can't sit up and roll over and jump sticks."

"Oh, grandpa." Jewel's face sobered, for this revived a little difference
of opinion between them. "When are you going to let me jump fences?"

"In a few more birthdays