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 of the stuff that goes to make a man. What a pity; I suppose it was evil associations."

"A pretty girl is at the bottom of it, I understand. You know, 'whom nature makes most fair she scarce makes true.'"

The Major re-adjusted his hat, and breathed deeply.

"Ah! well, I don't believe in laying everything on women. Maybe it was something else. Has he had no other annoyance, vexations or sorrow?"

"Yes, he lost his mother in mid-winter, but I saw but little change in him; true, he alluded to it in a casual way," remarked Frost, lightly.

"But such deep grief seeks little sympathy of companions; it lies with a sensitive nature, bound within the narrowest circles of the heart; they only who hold the key to its innermost recesses can speak consolation. From what I know of Robert Milburn this grief must have gone hard with him."

Here they came upon the track where the trainer was examining a new sulky.

"Bring out 'Bridal Bells,' Mr. Noble. I want to show the gentleman some of our standard-breds."

The trainer's lean face lighted with native pride. With little shrill neighs "Bridal Bells" came prancing afield; she seemed impatient to dash headlong