The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-08-30


rabbit" Mr.. Todd responded, looking
into his hat to avoid meeting the eyes
OF the lady, ssand I didn't have no call
to foller. He knowed how to run, I
reckon. Time Mr.. Harkless come out
the yard again we see him take across
the road to the wedge woods, near half
a mile up. Somebody else with him
then-looked like a kid. Must "a cut
across the field to join him. They're
fur enough toward home by this
.sDid Miss Helen shake hands with
you four or FIVE timesY' asked Briscoe,
chuckling.
mo. Whyg' said Minnie.
Because Harkless did. Ny hand
aches, and I guess Williams does tco.
he nearly shook our arms off when we
told him he'd been a fool. Seemed to
fdo him good. I tod him he ought to
hire somebody. to take shot at him
every morning before breakfast-not
that it's any joking matter" the old
gentleman finished thoughtfully.
81 should say not" said William.
with deep frown and jerk Of his
head toward the rear Of the house.
4<He Jokes about it enough. Wouldn't
even promise to carry gun after this.
Said he wouldn't know how to use it
never shot one off since he was boy,
on the Fourth of July. This is the
third time he's ben shot at this year,
but he says the others was at a.
what d he call it,"
eA merely complimentary range ;"
Briscoe supplied. he handed William
q cigar and bit the end off another him
self. minnie, yon better go in the
house and read, I expect, unless you
want to go down to the creek and join
those folks"
Aler She exclaimed. 'I know when
to stay away, guess. Do go and put
that terrible gun up
ssNo,'' said Briscoe lighting his cigar
deliberately. 'sIt's all safe; there's no
question of that. but maybe William
and better go out and take a smoke
In the orchard as long as they stay
down at the creek.
In the garden shafts Of white light
pierced the bordering trees and fell
where June roses b-.oethed the mild
night breeze, and here. l4ifc~ssa s''::i,:-
mer spells. the editor CT the iiei:-id
and the lady who had run TO EiE. at
The pasture bars stro.lsd down (: 18th
trembling with shadows to where ....e
creek tink!cd ever the rebaieS- -!
walked slowly. NIL. al al Il Deins
well accustomed tr4eEas and comrades
and for some reason it did not strike
either of them as unnatural or extraor-
dinary They came to a bench on the
bank. and he made great fuss dust
ing the seat for her with his black
slouch hat. Then he regretted the hat
1t was a shabby old hat Of Carlow
county fashion.
1t was long bench, and he seated
himself rather remotely toward the
end opposite her, suddenly realizing
that he had walked very close to her
coming down the narrow garden path.
Neither knew that neither had spoken
since they left the veranda, and it had
taken them long time to come
through the little orchard and the gar
den. She rested her chin on her hand
leaning forward and looking steadily
at the creek. Her laughter had quite
gone; her attitude seemed a little visit
ful and little sad. He noted that her
hair curled over her brow in way he
had not pictured in the lady OF his
dreams. This was so much prettier
He did no. care for tall girls. He had
not cared for them for almost half an
hour. 1t was so much more beautiful
TO be dainty and small and piquant
He had no notion that he was sighirc
In a way that would have put fur
0aee to shame. but he turned bis eyes
from her becaGse he feared that if he
looked longer he might blurt out Soiie
speech about her loveliness. HIS
glance rested on the bank. but its
diameter Included the edge of her white
skirt and the tip Of a little white, high
alSCiSN oi4HtIOA lhdt kCS SPCo OUt iiS-A'
beneath. and he had to look away from
that. too, to keep from telling her that
he meant to advocate law compelling
an wc,nen 10 wear crisp white gowns
and white kid slippers On moonlight
nights.
She picked long spear of grass
from the turf before her twisted it
absently in her fingers. then turned to
him slowly. Her lips parted as If to
speak. Then she turned away again
The action was SO odd, somehow, as
she cid it, so adorable, and the pre-
served silence was such bond be
tween them. that for his life he couid
not have helped moving half way Up
the bench toward her.
e<What is it," he asked, and he spoke
In whisper such as he might haze
used at the bedside Of dying friend.
He would not have laughed if he had
isncrn be did so She twisted the spear