The San Francisco call., 1905-01-25
!: BREAK O. DAY +:
BY HARRISON SMITH.

finite chagrin he discovered that those
twelve motionless figures were canvas
decoys. two Of them with gaping sides
where his shot had told. He had
wasted his ammunition ON the decoys
while the ducks themselves had flown
away unharmed.
AS the ridiculous truth flashed upon
him Preston uttered a single word
explosively-a short, expressive word.
In fact, he said Damn" and the
manner in which he said it left no
doubt as to his meaning.
AS he turned disgustedly from the
pond peal of merry laughter echoed
from the underbrush. He made his
way toward the sound and beheld
Miss Cuyler seated on the ground,
gun across her knees and tears OF
merriment streaming down her face.
Preston stared at her in amazed help
lessness.
You here?" he muttered incredu-
lously.
The girl held her sides.
II made an early start for black
duck, too," she explained. land while
/ was waiting for the flock to come in
nearer, YOU came stalking along and
and" She went into another spasm
of merriment.
II camel saw-and oh! / heard!"
she gasped. breathless from laughter.
You heard?" Preston said in dismay.
I didn't really intend to say that. 1t
slipped out before I thought"
II see," she said mockingly. You'd
better get the punt and fish out those
damaged decoys or the story Of your
adventure may get around"
Preston turned to her questioningly.
Aren't you going to tell the story
to the camp?" he asked.
NO" she said smilingly.
He looked at her with undisguised
relief
You are trump!" he said emphati-
cally.
She laughed lightly.
so long as I've frightened all the
ducks out of the vicinity with my can
nonading, suppose we may as we'll go
back to camp for breakfast" he sug-
gested.
He helped her to her feet and they
trudged back through the underbrush.
Preston noted that she was doubly
pretty with her short skirt and shoot
ing jacket and the frosty air bringing
out the color in her cheeks. And, of
course, he told himself bitterly. it must
needs be before her, of all women in
of himself.
Half way back to camp the girl
turned to him impulsively.
I'm going to make a confession"
she said.
They paused under a tall pine. The
first rays of the sun were lighting the
tree tops.
You didn't blow holes in both those
decoys." she said. Il fixed the first one
just as YOU did, an hour before you
came 1t was very dark then. you see,"
she added by way of extenuation.
You took a shot at the decoys, too?"
he cried
She nodded slowly.
You are very generous to tell me
that he said with considerable
warmth.
Its only fair to tell you." she said,
and then added, You looked so funny
and 1t would make such a beautiful
story to tell the camp! Now you have
a story on me equally as good. That
will hold my tongue in check"
Preston looked at her gratefully.
"I'll tell you what let's do.' he said
suddenly. Let's pool our secrets"
Our duck secrets?" she asked.
"All our secrets" he said, taking her
hand and drawing her to him. Lets
establish a community of interests
for two"
The girls glance dropped.
Tiff you think best" she began.
ST do he declared earnestly. Now
We'll go back to camp and announce it.
1t will make almost as good a story as
the one they will never hear"
Copyright, 1905, by T. c. McClure)