The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-07-30

SO much that had not the heart to send him back.
We had worked up half the wood. and had a
couple Of brace of pheasants my credit when Mars
ran back, wagging his tail violently. "Set hang
you!" L shouted
ooh, Mr. Shove" said a voice. "Shame on you
to swear at the poor dogge because he goes to meet
friend" I turned and there was Patricia calmly
walking along through the dead leaves
We'll" 1 said, "a dog shouldn't run away from
his duty even for you. could forgive man for it.
What do you out here Patricia?"
''oh. just heard the firing and thought I'd come
and see whether you could shoot
"0f course shoot"
''You all shy that My cousin Archie ONeill said
so, but the birds he brought home week dead
and came from Carmore.'
well my birds still warm,' 1 said, and 1
called Willie Donnell to show them to her. She
looked at them and nodded
81 shoot. you know" she said.
Indeed! said L Perhaps you would like to
show me how well you do it now?"
''You don't believe me- but 1 can"
''Ill believe anything you tell me- Patricia"
~Ah, Larry she said. you're good creature and
wouldn't deceive you for the world. Give me the
gun"
1 handed it to her and she looked to see that the
cartridges all right confessed to myself that
she handled the thing In busnesske way and not
as most girls do though they were afraid it might
go off unexpectedly I sat down the trunk of
tree and looked Patricia. % 81.
"Sit down." l said land get your nerves under
control and think what you'd like to shoot at"
She stood before me with the gun on her shoulder
part Of the barrel being hidden by her loose hair
felt that my gun happy.
'What do you think I'd shoot at but bird?"
ooh, comet" / said.
She turned scornfuy on her heel and called the
dogs followed. watching her sure step on the I'M
wit oiiOhf Suddo
dead, head down, tail steady. mark" 1 whispered
In moment a cock pheasant and rocketed up
into the bare branches Patricia sighted with the
utmost GOODNESS, fired, and the bird fell.
Bravo" said 1. 81 should have missed that.
Considering that my guns far long you it was
magnificent
''YOu forget" she said 'that I'm a big girl
GLOW could L forget with you standing there be-
fore me? If L live to be cid Bddy Mcguire I'll
remember how you look at this moment Patricia
All child" added q felt that might call her child,
being four years her senor) 'if you'd only believe
how you're always before me. night and day"
She blushed and turned her dark eyes aside; 1
think her breath caught At that moment Willie
Donnell shouted and another bird was up Patricia
fired and missed
'The other barredI" I cried.
Larry, it isn't loaded" said she. looking at me
with the prettiest penitence.
you're nice sportswoman," said 1.
''You should have loaded it for me-"
"Well, admit that, But what made you mssP
1t easier shot than the other"
"YOu were talking to me-" she said.
Patricia, put down that stupid gun and sit here
by me; it's spring. We've shot enough
for today and Willie Donnen can go back with the
dogs"
81 must be going H." she said.
Nonsense" said /. s'St down. child and make
happy"
"Oh. if that will make you happy" and she sat
down tree trunk and looked across the fields to
the mountains that green and gray beyond.
you could make happy forever Patricia, If
you liked
Indeed" said she. Then she turned her face to
me and laughed softly. You think 1 could" she
went on; ''but what can girl do, even big girl?
TITS easy talking. Larry"
"Giye me your hands," said T. "and I'll tell you"
She gave me her ungloved hands and 1 held them
for time without speaking looking into her won
derful, deep eyes She met my gaze as steadily as
q child
Patricia. you love me-" said at last.
81 do love you Larry"
l shook my head.
That's not the way mean; you must love me
1 love you"
"And hows that?" she asked
$50 much that the sight of you makes me sick
with happiness; to hold your hands like this is
heaven and to kiss you would be a kind of absol,l-
ton"
81 don't think 1 love you like that But you may
kiss Larry. if you like You used to kiss me
when little girl and now I'm only little girl
grown up"
"Yeu must kiss WELL"
Eyes, she said.
So kissed and for moment 1 had my arm
about her. Then she on her feet crimson as
some of the dead leaves under her.
81 didn't mean that kind of kissr' she cried
I'm sorry" said l. 'You should have told me
the kind you meant My dear. If you knew my heart
you would forgive me-
She stood looking the ground, kicking little
hole in it with the toe of her shoe. She was not
really angry. L could see that; but / could not be
what her trembling lips meant or why her eye
lashes were wet with tears. l did not realize then
what the first lovers kiss symbolizes such girl
Patricia girl compounded of fire and pride and
utter nobleness of blood.
After time she gave me her right hand again
and said quietly, 81 forgive you"
I stopped and touched her fingers with my lips
not a lovers kiss, but one Of simple reverence