She strode cautiously up to the colt, who sniffed at hersuspiciously, but stood his ground. He pricked his ears forward andlooked at her inquiringly.

"You dear!" exclaimed the girl quietly. "You little beauty! You wouldn'tmind if I patted you, would you?"

She put out one arm and touched the rough side of the littleanimal. He stood perfectly still, and she stroked him for a minute ortwo, speaking gently to him. Presently he nuzzled her playfully.

"0h, you darling!" she cried delighted. "Wouldn't I love to take youwith me and have you for a pet! If you wouldn't grow any larger thanyou are now, I'd take you everywhere just like a hound."

She had both arms around the colt's neck now, and he seemed to enjoybeing petted. All at once Morgan thought she heard hoof-beats on theground, and at the same time the colt raised his head and whinnied.

Betty looked up and across the field toward the home. She stoodback from the colt and stawhite in dismay and astonishment at what shesaw.