The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-28

kept them mainly for the convenience OF
Ann, the cook. Ann had a cunning eye
for a pigeon, and sometimes ventured
trifie OF her savings on a match; ana
though in masculine pride he never con-
suited her. Master Simon always teit
more confident on hearing that Ann had
put money on his bird. Now when
match took place at some distant town
or flying ground Ann would naturally De
anxious to learn the result as quickly a
possible and Master Simon, finding ihat
the suspense affected her cookery. aad
fallen into the habit Of taking hamper
OF carriers to all distant meetings and
speeding them back to Flowing source
with tidings of his success. Apart from
this office-which they performed Wei
enough-he took no special pride in them.
The offer of a pair OF his pet tGmblers,
worth their weight in gold, had cost him
an effort; and when Mistress Prudence,
ordinarily a clear-headed woman. Ge-
clared that she preferred carriers, she
could hardly have astonished lin more
by asking for pair OF stock doves.
oh. certainly" ne answered. ard went
home and thought ii over. Women were
a puzz.e: but he had a dim notion tnat
II he could lay hand on the reason why
Mistress Prudence preferred ordinary
carriers TO prize tumb.ers, he would hold
the key TO some of the secrets Of the sex.
He thought II over for three days. during
which he smoked more tobacco than %as
good for him. At about 4 O'Clock In the
afternoon of the third day smile en-
larged his face. He set down his pipe.
smacked his thigh, stood up. sat down
again. and began 10 laugh. He laughed
slowly and deliberately-not Ioudly-tor
the greater part of that evening, and
woke up twice in the night and shook the
bedclothes into long waves with bis
mirth.
Next morning he took two carriers from
the cote shut them in a hamper, and
rowed down to Ponteg.os with his gift
But Mrs Waddilove was not at home.
She had started early by van for Tregar-
rick fsaid the waitress at the Pandora's
Box) on business connected with her hus-
bands will. mo hurry at all" said
Master Simon. He slipped handful Of
Indian corn under the lid and left he
hamper with his respect"
Then he rowed home, and spent the
next two days after his wont: the only
observable difference being the position
OF his garden chair. II stood as rule
under the shadow Of the broad caves -
now Master Simon ordered the tap boy
TO carry ii out and set 1t by rustic
table close 10 the rivers brink. whence,
as he smoked. he could keep comfortable
watch upon the pigeon cote.
you'll catch a sunstroke.' said Ann
the cook II hope you're not beginning
10 forget how 70 take care of yourself"
We'll I hope so, too" Master Simon
answered. but did MOI bulge
On the morning OF the third day, how
ever. he saw that which made him step
indoors and mount 70 the attic under the
cote Having opened with much caution
A trap-door in the roof he slipped an crm
out and captured r carrier pigeon.
The bird carried a note folded small
ard bound under its wing with a threao
OF silk Master Simon opened the note
and read:
IF YOU loves me as loves YOU.
No knife can cut our loves IN two"
lie had prepared himself for a hearty
rhughta. S,,,t no h,,la ont With a r,ro-