The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-21
A TELLING SHOT
By Anne Allen

three seasons and said, GLOW mannish some
of the young girls are getting" And Mrs.
Peters clutched two of the small Peterses
who happened to be near and cried: "a gun.
Oh, my dear Miss CALDWELL don't point it
here!'
Margaret took the offending gun and went
up to her room. A little later she was look
ing out of her window and saw Tom, with
his clean clubs, starting for the links. His
face was nice and clean too. He looked so
handsome that she was sorry she had quar-
relied with him. She was just going to tell
| him that she would go along when she heard
Mabel's voice:
oh, Tom, wait minute! And then she
got nearer: "Did you know Margareths gun
! hath come?' She'th tho pleathed!" Then
! Tom glanced UP at the window and looked so
| black that the girl leaned out, calling mis-
chievously, "Pretty Tommy He turned on
his heel and walked away with Mabel
| That afternoon Mr.. Suydenham, over in the
cottage, lent Margaret his pigeon tray and
| colored boy.
"You can't hurt the trap" he said, "and
| Rastus can look out for himself
So Rastus set the trap up away over on
the shore. where no one goes 1t was the
hour when all the women were taking maps
| and the Peters children had gone with their
nurse to the village for ice cream.
| And Margaret started in to shoot clay
pigeons. She had shot a few clam shells
before but she knew this would be harder
because the shells still, while the pigeons
sail about in the air. The gun was little
beauty, light enough for her to lift easily and
firm against her shoulder. Rastus got down
behind his shelter He raised his black
| head above the boards.
| Better shoot while dey's high up. Miss
Marg'ret" he suggested and ducked again.
! "Ready!" she called in a loud, firm voice.
The DISLIKE object rose from behind the
| shelter and sailed away into the air. She
| followed its course with her finger on the
| trigger, but some way she did not seem to
| find the right time to fire. and the pigeon
| ioated unshattered to the ground.
! Rastus' head popped up again.
! "Nothing's the NATTER she said. est
| went rather fast. that is ALL Rastus
grin he disappeared was annoying and she
| called "Ready!' for the second time, deter
mined to shoot without fail and also to give
Rastus only 90 cents instead Of dollar. Up
| rose the second disk. and she followed its
| upward course. to where 1t began to descend
Just then she saw two people coming along
| the shore-Tom and Mable. Here was her
chance to show them what she could do.
| Down came the pigeon faster and faster
| She pulled the trigger, stepped back, her
| ankle turned. and down she went in a most
Tngraceful heap.
| The report of her gun. the twinge Of her
ankle and her fall all seemed to come at once,
and she thought, I've shot myself.'' and
| then tried to laugh she realized the gun
| die not shoot out of that end. Then every
| thing turned black and she felt no more pain.
| The next thing she heard was Tom talking
! in strange voice and in most peculiar way
| My darling,' he was saying, my own
| little girl" She thought he was speaking to
Mabel. She had Suspected
| Some way the pain in her ankle and the
thought of losing Tom-men ever are the
same good friends to you after they are
married; wives seem to make a difference-all
brought big bunch to her throat Then
she felt Toms face close to hers. and his
| voice sounded more natural.
| "Oh Marsaret!' he said. "Look at me.
| Open your eyes, sweetheart And she opened
her eyes to find that he had been talking to
her all the time Womanlike she did not
let him know she had heard anything, but
murmured, ''Where is my gum"
| Tom said, "Confound the gun!' And Ma
bel seemed annoyed about something too.
Rastus and Margaret were the only cheer
full ones. Rastus said You done hit de
pigeon, Miss Narg' ret in a comforting tone.
Tom was still on his knees beside Margaret.
The latter exclaimed. my ankle pains me
quite a. bit, but if you will help me up,
Tommy I think can hobble back to the
inn So Tom raised her gently, and she
smiled sweetlv at Mabel over his nice broad
shoulder. Then she gave a little moan.
LET me carry you, Margaret Tom said.
Mabel bit her lip.
"I'm afraid I am dreadfuily heavv.' Mar
saret murmured, but It does hurt so. y
Then, as Tom lifted her in his arms, she said
sob, Mabel, DEAR if you don't mind( will
be eyre so much oblised-wll you carry my
gun?"