Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-09-14
HUNTING BIRDS
NESTS
BY H. B. MARRIOTT WATSON
f.IoIscLAIM all responsibility for the

f,I0ISCLAIM all responsibility for the
events; they were the direct and
immediate outcome of that tempestu-
GUS and careless tomboy, Aline. and. in
a way, think may say, of Miss Deigh-
tons imprudence. You see, she should
have known her sex better. | assume
that she also was once as Aline, and
none so long ago | never was. and
could not be expected to know. Never
theless, did have misgivings. Perhaps
| ought to have communicated them 70
but, in any case, how was to guess?
The trouble really started when we
entered the park, though the begin
nings were small. You can go through
a heavy gate or you can cross a stile into
the park Miss Deighton and thought
the gate was locked, and so we mounted
the stile. At least she did, and pausing,
looked back on the green valley.
How beautiful" said she, in a med
itatiye voice.
Charming" | assented, my eyes
just then that Aline discovered that the
gate was not locked. but we did not no.
tiee her or IL, as we were exchanging
some fanciful thought about the view,
Miss leighton gracefully, but not too
securely, seated on the gatepost. My
gaze was the first to leave the prospect
and come about. Aline had pulled back
the gate to its utmost limit, and now, in
full sail, was gathering force as she
swung sweeping home like a circus.
The cumbrous gate creaked into its
place, | gave a cry and Miss Deighton
went backward.
| caught her just in time as you may
gather when | say that one of her feet
took me on the chin. She was rufiied
and red and a little scared when she
came to the perpendicular again.
"Aline!" she cried. angrily. What
on earth-?"
Sorry" said the tomboy, frankly.
and her penitence disarmed further
criticism.
Thank you 80 much" said Miss
Deighton to me graciously. | helped
her to the ground and we resumed our
way but the thread of that admirable
companionship had been enjoying had
been broken. Aline recovered in about
two minutes; at least. she was babbling
of linnets before we had gone hundred
yards.
Il know where there's an owls nest.
but it's hard to get at" she remarked,
pensively
Perhaps l could reach it?" | sug-
gested. calamity
Aiine regarded me obviously. ''You
don't look as if But perhaps you
could" she amended. hopefully. It's
over a pool and you have to creep out
On rather rotten branches"
To say the truth. this did not sound
inviting | wondered If had enjoyed
such things when was a boy and why.
Miss Deighton's discomposure lasted
until we emerged on the heath. with its
blaze of furze bloom
You can get out just down there" |
Aline assured us. There's path there.
and there are sure TO be lots more lin /
nets nests"
j don't think Miss Deighton cared 1
about the linnets' nests. but she ala /
care about the.path. and we pushed our /
way toward IT, The ground was very /
uneven, and we stumbled several times. /
Also the furze was very thick. I heard /
my name, and found Miss Deighton 4
looking at me pathetically over a huge. /
spreading bush. What am / 70 dog" /
she asked, weakly. / guided her round /
IT, took two more followers" Of her
dress and pulled her out Of a hole into /
which she had fouudered.
This is dreadful" she complained. f
gasping "Aline. wherever is the /
PATH
Aline was our only guide, and we /
had 70 cling 10 her She pushed 4
ahead vigorously, and we followed 4
through the underground.
For goodness sake, let her find il
and show it 10 US, and then let's 60"
murmured Miss Deighton to me-. And /
this is birds nesting" /