The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1905-06-02


dead leaves-more noise, he thought,
than one mans feet could possibly pro-
duce. The eligible bachelor had never
before had an opportunity to play
knight Grant, but he suddenly felt
HIMSELF longing to- kill the scoundrel
who had frightened this girl.
There was another scurry of leaves,
and then-A playful yearling calf stood
before him, prancing in the awkward
way peculiar to sporting calves, with
an expression in its eyes that seemed
to wink at the man and ask If he didn't
see the point of the joke.
The eligible bachelor stared, then let
his gun fall to the ground.
GOOD Lordw he howled. "Was that
what frightened your"
The girl had wriggled out of his arms
and stood behind him, peering around
him for safe glimpse of the'enemy.
IF he had already knocked you
down once and was trying to do it
again I don't suppose it would be so
funny to you" she said resentfully. ev-
Identity not approaching his ecstasy of
mirth.
He sent the calf down the road with
a few warlike gestures and turned to
look at her, amusement still lurking in
his eyes.
She had seated herself on stone
and was pinning up a torn place in
her skirt
Some people can laugh at nothing"
she said Jelly, fitting the edges of the
torn place together.
The man looked at the small face,
rosy from the frosty morning air, and
noticed the short brown. hair that
made little curls around her forehead.
I'm a brute to laugh" he said pen
itently, "but it was so-er-sudden.
He was in danger of offending again.
He took his handkerchief to brush
the mud from her dress.
"You are evidently not accustomed
to them?" he queried, smiling.
n have never had such close ac-
quaintance with one before" she said.
y live in the city and am down here
TO get strong. l am boarding at the
farmhouse just above here"
I'm down here on a little hunting
IN" he said, not adding that he was
AIsO taking a rest from being hunted
oUing the season by maneuvering
mAmmas. 81 wonder if they would
&Fe me dinner at your farmhouse"
I'm sure they would" She ex-
oil fbo of N In
eQNntry. Its the first house you
conc to, and they are named Jones
yQQ can't forget it If your memory is
any good at all. I'll tell them you
are coming to the 1 o'clock dinner"
She had repaired the damage to her
h<'It as best she could and stood up
~ 10. 2,
Wll bring some rabbits if 1 can
tA ale good for invallds," letting his
r41- again on the little, short, boy
NAeq. !; that made him wonder If she
He'e e teen or twenty. Maybe you
WHY Receipt them as a peace Offering
anN forgive me for laughing"
mint Of shyness in her eyes made
nlM understand that her resentment
Was really a reaction from the embar-
kAssment Of having rushed into his
arms, now that her fright was over
and the cause at distance seemed so
ftlfial.
ne gave a regretful look at the
tQln place in her skirt. II never shall
QH able to mend 1t SO it won't show"
s1n said as she left him.
he eligible bachelor was medita-
xfXe as he climbed the stone wall to
W1ge war on the rabbits.
Vow, wonder" he unused, IF that
iiffle girl is SO poor that torn place
g blue serge skirt can worry herr
&tN a shamew He strobe through the
gle of briers and dead weeds
1hghtfully.
ext day the eligible bachelors valet
It back to town, and his master es-
ished himself as a boarder at the
NAes farm, with only gun and suit
e for baggage.
Pc gun was in small demand. There