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 thing war is. But do you really think that Palo'mine is all right? Is he just as good as ever?"

Halsey threw back his head and laughed in his old boyish manner and the sound of his mirth made a great lump come in Peggy's throat. It was good to know that he could still laugh after these four dreadful years.

"Good as ever," cried Halsey, "Why he is better than ever. I even believe he could lower his old record for a mile and an eighth in the sweepstake. I am going to try him again next year, if we have luck, and you can sit in the grand stand and watch Palo'mine and me clean up the field."

"But are you all right, Halsey? You are looking fine." Again the trooper laughed in the glad boyish way.

"Fit as a fiddle," he cried. "Never felt better in my life. Hard as nails and ready for anything."

"But Halsey, oh, oh, what is that dreadful scar on your neck?" The girl reached up with trembling fingers and turned back