“Of course—that’s what we came to see,” observed Jarvis, as the man disappeared. “Getting our load is a secondary matter.”
“Other matters are always secondary to the sight of a good horse,” retorted his companion. She was leaning forward and Jarvis did not miss the opportunity to look at her. He gazed intently at a certain conjunction of curves at the back of her neck—a spot which always tempted him tremendously whenever he saw it.
The freight agent appeared round the corner of the station, leading an animal the sight of which made Jarvis’ eyes light with pleasure. Agnes Farnsworth caught her breath softly and leaned still further forward.
The brown mare was led back and forth before them, the colts requiring a strong hand upon the reins as she caracoled in front of their exasperated eyes. Jarvis was obliged to give them his whole attention. But the girl slipped down from the wagon. She went up to the mare and laid a coaxing, caressing hand upon the velvet nose—a hand so gentle that the animal did not resent it. She spoke softly to her; inquired her name, and called her by it in a voice of music—Betty. Presently she asked for the halter, and the freight agent, somewhat doubtful, but too full of admiration for the near presence of beauty to refuse, gave it to her. Then, indeed, did Miss Farnsworth prove the truth of her assertion that she was accustomed to horses. In five minutes she had made love to the mare so effectively that the shy and hitherto somewhat disdainful creature was following her with a slack halter and an entreating nose. Incidentally Betty had allowed the slender fingers to open her mouth.
“Of course you are not selling her,” remarked Miss Farnsworth, carelessly, as she walked away to examine her freight.
“Well—had an offer of two hundred and fifty for her last week.”
She looked around with an astonished face. “And wouldn’t take it?”
“Why—no. She’s wu’th three hundred if she’s wu’th a cent.”
“You won’t get three hundred for her,” said the girl.
“She’s as sound as a nut,” declared the freight agent, with indignation. Miss Farnsworth laughed.