New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-17

no was once more on the move. He came a'oh6
yery slowly and cautiously now. was ne susp'
cious? trusted not. However, l Determined
IN sit silent for a minute or two. in the peiiei
that NV apparent GOODNESS might rouse hii" W
increased ardor Nor was | mistaken NJ
sooner did I rccommence my caterwaullne ina"
his own redoubled in warmth and volume.
could almost distinguish the meaning OF HIS
mnassoned pleadngs. He seemed to ehtrea'
me not TO deprive him of the rapture OF listening
TO nv voice which, he appeared to say wa"
music to his ears | could not, therefore, uhue'
these romantic circumstances. remain long Oh
durate to his pleading or turn a dear ear ~ HIS
ardor and affection. / cIterwaued again. I''o''
Justify than ever!
"Within a very few moments became aware
that my friend or relative, or lover-hot uhue'
standing the drift OF his remarks. cou'u "o'
I've sure az to what was the exact relationship III
which stood toward him-had approached qui'e
close and could but see him. must no" oe
within easy range OF my gun. But alas! IL WAS
still pitch dark and could no more discern any
object AT a distance Of twenty five yards IMAM
could take To myself wings and fly over the pine
tops.
"EdGing the open space around my ampus"
was the usual cover. chiefly pine trees WIN oil
occasional cump of low bush. made up my
mind that my companion was ensconced bciiihu
a certain donsc patch Of scrub which had no
ticed while there had been light from the 'lre'
This patch lay at a distance OF about thrv
yards from my own position and II the o'her
lynx should be so unkind and suspicious as u
refuse To cross the open in search oi HE "
solved that as soon as could see so iar "ou'u
hazard a shot. trusting that at least one or wv"
Of the sugs which went TO make up the charse
In my smooth bore might find billet.
THE duet continued meanwhile. He would
address an amorous but gently rcproachiuI re-
mark t. me and | would reply with soft an
swcrs designed to turn away wrath. fcrhapS
told him | had a game leg and could not Walk
or that was busy over delicious meal oil mare
which | dare not leave on account Of the known
dishonesty Of the dcnizcns OF this part or the
forest | don't know what | said. but whatever
IL may have been he would not move. but only
repeated the arguments which, even though |
could not understand them. were, fclt. growing
exceedingly stale. lie Was a very uniinaginatlVe
lynx and scarcely varied the monotony OF his
remarks from beginning to end Of our long con
ycrsalion. neither did l. Of course. but. then. !
had At least the grace 10 be heartily ashamed OF
the samoncss OF my observations.
This sort Of thing continued till presently
the light had increased sufficiently TO AFFORD
All ndstinct View OF the surroundings. no."
carefully weighed the chances. could take IN"
risky cours. 81 hazarding blind shot into the
bush on the OF chance Of killing the animal sup
posed 10 be lurking behind 1t. or could creep
along until | reached his ambuscadc. then jump
up and perhaps secur" running shot at my
friend. though being lynx II was exceedingly
unlikely that ne would wait for me there. After
much meditation al last decided upon plan
Of action. ! resolved to make "A movement OF a
portion Of the small bush behind which lay.
In the hope Of so exciting the ardor of my friend
opposite 10y this sign OF He that hc would be
unable to resist the impulse to rush across the
open and ny a. 1t were. to my arms
NO sooner thought Of than carried out.
Stretching out one foot stirred the branches
In such way to give the impression that
an animal was moving behind them. catcrwaul-
Ing Justify the while.
'"rhen OF "A sudden. n most awful thing hap
pencd deafcning report rang out from the
direction OF tho scrub opposite. while at the
same instant distinctly heard and almost felt
the whistle and rush Of "A charge OF slugs which,
though they did not actually touch me. passed
within AN inch or two Of my ears. I sprang to
my feet with yell. while n dusky form which
was not that OF a lynx. rose from behind the
patch Of bush opposite and running
across toward me. Will you believe me-" old
Stepan ended. when assure you that II was
that confoundcd poaching backyard Simeon
not yet "A keeper at that time? And the most
annoying part OF the whole business was that
had tuurh him all his LYNX calling myself