The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser., 1900-06-01

| ness.
Finally the rcd barn of the Hodge
farm hove in sight and twist of the
whip over the pony's back made him
spurn the roadway dust more vigor-
ously. 1t was early enough to be sure,
but the earlier the better for anyone
with a longing to see good dog draw
down to point hard and fast by some
bunch of weeds or fence corner. At
the corner of q willow hedge where
another side road came into the main
highway there was second road cart
standing still, the driver Of which was
evidently uncertain as to where he was.
He was at that minute up on top of a
rail fence nearby, and was shading his
eyes while looking to the west. In his
cart was red setter dog, a gun, and
all the paraphernalia that distinguishes
the hunter. He was dressed in a regu-
lation suit OF brown duck clothing and
appeared to be a young fellow of some
twenty-six years. He caught sight of
the girl and sprang from his perch.
Lifting his cap he hailed her and said:
II beg a million pardons, miss, but
can you tell me where the Hodge farm
is?r
Diana Clark looked at him Tor full
minute before she replied. Here was
4 man who was going out there to
break into those bevies Of which the
Hodges had written to the Judge about.
Then the spirit of the hunter flashed up.
She smiled involuntarily; very sweet
smile it was, perhaps trifle of conf
cal regret in it, and said: "Straight
ahead two miles. | am going there
myself"
"Oh! l beg your PARDON" said the
young man. "You are going to hunt
today, too, l see."
1CS, Icpllcu blslu;t
"Well," responded the somewhat
embarrassed sportsman, Il don't want
to cut in and spoil your sport. have
an invitation from Mr.. Hodge to come
out aud take day at the quail" he
added
"After ALL" he went on, "we were
all good fellows who love field sports,
and you are very kind to give me the
direction. My name is Tom Wilson,
and l don't see why we can't hunt the
farm together. Of course, if you per-
mitted me, l should prefer to give you
the best shots"
"You are very generous rs to that, ="
replied Diana. MY name is Clark,
and l have often heard my father
speak of you as being very good
shot,
"Judge Clark" said Wilson, de-
lighted. 81 met the Judge in the
North one fall after canvasback"
So the two carts drove down the
road towards Hodges. As they
reached the next hedge the girl, who
was driving ahead, drew up with ar
exclamation. There sitting comfor-
tably in the hedge was splendid bevy
of quail, fully twenty birds, big and
handsome.
Il would like about fifteen shots at
that bevy," said Diana.
"Well," said her companion, you
take fifteen shots first and then Ill
begin"
"All right" responded Diana, as she
jumped out of the cart and hitched
her pony before Wilson could come
forward to assist her. The two dogs,
who had been making frantic efforts to
get acquainted, now came forward, and
after minute or two soon started in
to the covcy. The quail had slipped
through the hedge and were soon in a
pasture, overgrown with scattered
grass. They skirted the hedge and
soon Rex stitfencd to point. Diana
stepped forward and the bevy rose.
She picked an outside cock quail with
her right hand barrel and he came
down stone dead, the feathers flying
from him in cloud With her left
hand shot she covered a bird which
was swerving over the hedge and was
sure she had scored Wilson went
around the hedge with his dog and
found it all right.
81 wonder if that was an accident"
he thought to himself. Hang me if
she didn't draw down on that bevy
like veteran. 1t must have been 4
chance shot, that last Bird" he mused.
The bevy had crossed the hedge and
had gone into the cornfield. Diana
and Wilson climbed fence, and Viii
sons dog whirled to a 'button hook"
point almost as soon as he struck the
field. The bird got up and flew straight
through the corn. As the stalks were
very much broken down it was an easy
shot and Diana nailed it without any
trouble Wilson smiled pleasantly and
said, "three birds in three shots; you're
doing well, Miss Clark
As the corn grew higher there were
tufts Of grass here and there and in
these the dogs nude several points.
Diana missed the first single and then
made Wilson sad and anxious by kill
ing four singl IS and three sets of doubles
"A wful, awful he murmured, "why,
this GIRL can rive me cards and spades