Gilpin observer., 1905-02-02
time. and knows It will pe mors :
matter Of luck than skill II he win

~~>-'~~
out.
III there is falcon within twenty
leagues, Madame, 1t is yours" an
swered, ito take the place of yonder
bird"
DO you think I would accept aught
at your hands?" she cried.
Ere had time to reason with her
to whom she turned and began to tell
of the birds mishappening. She
spoke In French, thinking. no doubt.
the language unknown to me. l heard
that milady seeing me half asleep
coming down the path and thought to
have some fun at my expense. She
had fowled her bird after a trout, not
reckoning with either man or knife.
And, the result of their harmless bit
Of frolicsomeness, he was a-dead
pet.
When they had reviled me enough,
or so I thought, for their contempt
uousness made my ears to tingle,
said in the same speech and in as
gracious manner as | could com.
mand.
II would recompense you, Madame.
to the half of my estate-believe me,
it is yours"
"Recompense! Estate! You!" she
sneered. "A hut on my Lords land
with one wee pig is more like to be
your. estate"
She threw back her head and
laughed. while she took me in from
my head to my foot.
DO you hear that, Nurse Moffett!"
she continued. "Recompense! To the
half of my estate"
She mimicked me to a nicely and
then went off into throes of laughter.
Joined by her nurse.
waited with grave face until
her merriment had subsided. l saw
she was a maid of moods and fancies:
for now she sat quite down upon the
ground, unmindful of everything ex-
cept her dead pet. and tears fell from
her eyes in big drops.
What a hell of witchcraft lies in
the small orb Of one particular tear"
said William Shakespeare, a writer
of plays and sometimes actor of the
same. and I aver that he never spoke
truer words. He is dead these many
years. but his speeches are remsm-
bered. and plays still to De seen at the
theaters in London.
DO not, beg Of you, do not"
said as l dropped on my knees beside
her, and stretched out my hands to
take the dead thing from her.
The old dame as II desirous of keep
ing before her mistress my share in
the miserable business made the air
murky with her execrat!ons.
Inwardly cursed myself in being
so ready to cut and to slash. Perhaps
the lady read some of my contritioH
| in my face, perhaps she had changed
her mind as to my condition in life (;
| certainly she looked at me with lit
tie kindliness and there were Ques-
| tions written on her face.
She let me take the bird and place
it on the sward, and wipe her gown
where the gore had ruined it. So
much grace had-no more. Too
soon she remembered that had done
her an injury. Her eyes now flashed
| like steel. Her bow-shaped mouth
| drew itself into it's haughtiest curves.
l thought what a pity, love-light alone
ought to linger about those dimpled
corners. She arose and stepped back
with much imperiousness. strange to
see in one so young and petite out
side of royalty. | lowered head and
shoulders above her and could scarce
hide a smile at such behavior.
Get you gone to your-estate," she
drawled. bowling low before me. my
Lord Mayor of all you survey. Get
you gone, for II you happen upon
these grounds again. in spite of your
great estate, shall have you whipped
off,"
You believe at least that l regret
my act?" | stopped long enough to
ask. paying no heed to her mockery.
Regret! regret" she repeated "Oi
what use are regrets?"
| She turned her shoulders upon me-
Ito be continued.)