Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-03-21
The Dark Room.
BY EDWARD ELLIOTT.

arrive at.
He played his cards very well. he
thought. during the days that followed
days in which Gilbert had plenty Of
opportunities for finding himself with
a bad headache. as he watched John
making secret love to the girl he cared
for SO much.
The men started early one morn
ing for an outlying cover that was
generally supposed to produce rock
eters. and that was kept as a bonne
bouche for the end of the weeks
shoot. The ladies were to drive out
to lunch, and Dorothy and Miss Green,
who were rival photographers. were
to send their cameras out in the lun-
cheon carts.
On arriving at the side of the wood
Mr.. Ridge. the head keeper had few
minutes conservation with Lord Har-
! ley, and then set about placing their
guns.
"Will you get through that gate. if
you please. Mr.. Beasiey. and stana
at the end of that hedge and you, Mr..
Hurst, If you please, will you stop
about where you are now?" and Ridge
hurried off to place the great men
of the party at the corner OF the CO.
vert, at which point the birds were
expected to break. Lord Harley taking
middle place.
| Soon silence reigned in the ranks;
it was perfect early winter day and
as Gilbert turned his head and looked
/ IL
scape his thoughts were far more of
Dorothy than OF pheasants. and it was
not until a great hare had come lop-
| ing out of the covert and had run al
| most between the feet of the keepers
son, who. weighed down with impor-
tance and cartridges. was acting as
loader, that he turned his thoughts
| to the business before him. Soon
something more than the "tap-tap" of
| the stops could be heard. and a
| sound as though Bedlam was let loose
gave the pheasants and the guns an
| idea that it was time to be up and
| doing.
few shots at some stray birds,
then muttered Here they come"
was blazing away.
Contrary to Ridges expectation, the
| birds broke John Beasleys end of the
| covert, and not only did that gentle
| man let fly at everything that came
| his way. but he had a turn at every
thing that was rightly Gilbert's-a
more systematic robbery was never
perpetrated; and Lord Harley, who was
not getting much shooting, had plenty
of time to see what was going on. and
to wonder. as Lady Harley had Won
dered, why he had asked John to
stay with them.
Gilbert, though a very good shot.
had lest his temper and had shot
badly; he swore at the lad for not be-
ing quicker with the cartridges. and
could have kicked Baasley when he
sauntered uD to him after the beaters
were through. and remarked
Not quite up to the mark today.
Hurst you let lot of these birds get
away. Heavily handicapped, not hav-
ing good loader; my man is capi-
tai chap. was with Lord Greystone,
you know. six years. and has been
tive with me-ought to know some
thing about it,"
81 am afraid you were not very
we'll placed Hurst said Lord Harley,
coming up and casting a glance full
of meaning at John; I'VE must look
after you better next time" and there
was a kindly ring in the old mans
voice that did much to soothe Gil
bert's ruffled temper.
Dorothy and Miss Green came out
before lunch to enable them to see
drive down in the low ground. AS
the guns were placed behind a high,
struggling hedserow John was sorely
tempted to ask Dorothy to stand by
him to witness his skill and prowess,
but prudence conquered. and Miss
Green was selected as his companion.
will you stand by me. Miss Lane?"
asked Gilbert. :" am afraid you will
not see any brilliant shooting. but
will do my best. Let me unroll your
waterproof and can make you COM
Portable seat here in these dry leaves,
| and you will be sheltered from the
wind"
Il am so afraid" said Dorothy,
scanning the sky that had become
somewhat overcast since morning.
that it will be too dark for photog-
raphy. and | wanted so to get a
group; it is getting late. too. and the
beaters seem long time getting into
line"
She kn~lt down in the leaves that
carpeted the side of the hedge. and
peered through a small opening.
"Oh. | can see them now quite
plainly. Just look-they are down by
the osiers. and will soon be here"
Gilbert knelt by her side. and held
back some brambles that intercepted
his view- his heart beating furiously
and his hands trembling as he found
his face so dangerously near to Dor
othy's.
A L..