The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1905-02-17

larger fish. Baxter grinned ironically
at the forbidding black letters on the
fence and climbed over it.
Halfway down the field was little
clump of pines through which the
stream flowed. Baxter entered the
shadows of the trees. and scarcely had
lie cast wien his reel whirred merrily
and the line cut the water sharply.
His pulses quickened. Here was fish
ing worth talking about The line
siackened and he began to reel in
gently.
st that moment the bushes behind
him cracked. and a calm voice said:
Pardon me, but have you a per-
mit?"
Baxter gave no heed until he had
landed the trout; then he turned to
find himself face to face with a young
woman. She was regarding him stead
lily. with a little frown of d.sdpproval
\ creel hung from a broad strap across
her shoulder, and she carried an I'M
joined rod in a leather case
Baxter had momentarily forgotten
the warning on the fence. Now her
words recalled it to his mind. He was
evidently caught fedhanded at his
poachng, and the only thing to do was
to frankly admit it. He looked at the
girl before him. She was tall, well
formed and undeniably attractive. In
deed she was quite striking as she
stood there calmly awaiting his reply.
You have a permit, of course?' she
asked again.
Baxter smiled quietly.
Il regret to state" said he, 81 am a
deep dyed poacher"
The girl lifted her brovs
You must have noticed the signs"
she said.
II noticed one" said he, "but the
stream was too tempting to man who
had landed but four small trout during
the morning. am very sorry that my
zeal got the better of my discretion, and
offer every apology for my unwar-
ranted intrusion. Whatever the dam
ages are I'll settle. l plead guilty"
Il should be inclined to follow the
signs" she said. land prosecute you to
the fell extent of the law but for the
way you just landed that trout. 1t was
splendid and shows you to be an expe-
rienced angler. If you'd bungled it l
should have let the law do its worst.
If you promise not II trespass again
you're quite free to go this time"
Baxter bowed.
You are very generous" he de-
clared. (which makes me doubly
ashamed of my trespass. Rest assured
l shall not repeat the offense. May
ask to whom I'm indebted for allowing
me to go unmolestedY
Something in his eyes made the girl
flush.
"Oh-it's-it's all rightw she said
haltingly. Now please goat once"
Still Baxter hesitated. He was not
given to pretty speeches nor to staring
at young women whom chance threw
in his way but some indefnable charm
about the girl made him do the latter
and regret his inability to do the for
mer.
I'm very grateful" he said lamely
enough. "and-and"-
"And what?" she said almost sharp
ly.
I'D like very much" said he "some
time i'm the future to express nv graft
sude to you when we stood on an equal
footing-that is. you understand, when
I'm not poaching your stream
He spoke so earnestly that the girl
flushed again.
ITS all right" she reiterated. you've
been quite grateful enough. Now
please go!'
Baxter, trying vainly to think OF
some plausible excuse for prolonging
the conversation, reeled up his line and
began to unjoint the rod.
Suddenly man came crashing
through the bushes and stood before
them. The girl gave little startled
cry of dismay. Baxter noticed the mar