The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1905-05-17
~ sen STGGD.'
BY FISHER AMES, JR.


y Of the heavens like a pene-
Ro< trable veil of radiant dust.
The swell of the great, or
ange-colored moon could be plainly
seen, with some Of those hazy veins
which scientists say are froSt-cracks
in her cold surface. Every dune and
bit of wreckage on the broad bar stood
out distinctly in her light, and clump
Of frowzy headed palms cast sharp
edged shadows on the sand. Those of
two boys walking along the hard
packed beach below high-water mark
hobnobbed in front of them with n
friendliness which the youths them
selves were not feeling at that moment.
"Pick up your feet Budr' exclaimed
the elder, in a long-suffering voice.
"You squitter like a girl in her first
long dress. Think we can catch any
thing with you making that squit-
squeak, squit-squeak" He initiated
with gross exaggeration the scuffing
of his brothers sneakers"
81 reckon l walk as well as you dor'
spluttered Bud deeply irritated by
the others choice of SMILES.
John sighed in a patient, virtuous
manner very difficult to bear
at doesn't look like you'd ever make
a hunter, Bud" he observed. with
certain meek JUNCTION.
Bud halted instantly, straight and
defiant.
"I'll go by myself, then" he said,
'and bring back as many eggs as you
dog
"Oh, come on said his brother re-
lenting.
But Bud stood his ground obstinately
''No. You're bossing, bossing all the
time. pity Grace Aline if you get her.
that's ALL"
Grace Aline of the romantic name
was a most particular friend of Johns
Twice week he sailed his utf-bowed
lugger across the three-mile stretch be-
tween the bar and the mainland, bring
ing an atmosphere of salt and shyness
to the little house among the orange
trees. The imputatlon stung him to
the quick. He turned on his heel and
strode Off, his chin very high.
"Huhw grunted Bud, with the air Of
one superior TO the soft passion
"Huhr'
He watched his brother until the tall
figure could no longer be seen Then
he picked up his pail and stake and
started toward the shelf of the beach.
His lean, shrewd face was no longer
smiling. There was a terrier-like CON
centration in its expression and in the
forward thrust of his head and as he
zigZagged swiftly over the stretch of
loose sand his movements had much
of the nervous deftness Of that gamy
little animal.
AS he trotted back and forth his stick
tapped the sand like a blind mans
staff. 1t had made perhaps a hundred
little pecks, when presently Bud
checked, and lowering the stick as deli
eately as If pricking blister, drew ii
up and inspected the tip. It was
gummy and glistening, and would have
offended most peoples noses,
"O-hov chuckled Bud. Teach a pei
ican to fish! Huh"
With deft, followed hands he uncov-
ered the leathery eggs. In the moon
light they looked like fat milk pearls;
125 Of them in two layers, with wad-
ding Of sand between. The clutch just
filed Buds pail and he set It well
above high-water mark, and resumed
his quarterng
When he came 10 She point where
John had turned up from the slope OF
the beach, he hesltated. considering the
chances of his brother having oyer
looked a nest. To get ahead of him hc
would have to walk at least half q
mile. The night was warm aud wind
less. and he was sweating profusply
under his loose shirt with q sigh OF
resignation he threw himself down OF
the sand his face toward the sea
There had been TO wind for seyera
days, and the sea hardly stirred in IT
sleep. Now and then its bosom llfte,
in a slow breath that sent q swell roll
ing in, 10 die upon the beach with
drawn-out sigh. film Of stale. iri
descent oil seemed to blanket the waite
thinly, flickering and passing from
green to saffron and from saffron I,
rose as the tranquil heaylng presente,
new surfaces to the moonlight
Right in the midst Of this subdue,
glitter and close in shore something
black and geshaped presently ap
peared 1t came without a ripple lli
the sodden rise Of a water-logged tin
ber. Then Bud saw it sink in the sam
stealthy fashion, as II it had withdraw
to weigh its estimate Of the prospeC
in secret. Only few moments elapse,
however, before 1t reappeared nearC
shore.
. = Bud lay as motlonless as the sand 4
self, and the turtle. after a long an
wary inspection Of the beach, swishe
through the shallow water ana bega
to ascend the slope.
1t was laborious work for the hug
turtle, but at last 1t gained the She
OF the beach and looked round wit
blear and weary eyes for suitabl
resting place. Then it saw Bud rlsin
from the sand, and shrank inward ini
its shell in qulvering apprehension.
long, dismal hiss escaped from i
horny blow-holes.
"Hello, old camel" mocked Blu
"I'm right glad | was in when yc
called.p Then he raped the shakir
head smartly with his stick, and h
high voice broke TO a threateniEg s
prano. "You squat stIil now ill