Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1906-06-07
CHAPTER Xiii.
Dinner at NutWood.

said Winstanley, gravely, 81 shall end
my shooting early in the day | am
devoted to chestnuts Since you are
rash enough to tell me there are any
going, you mustn't blame me for the
result .
Her eyes danced dernurely, and he
thought the little dimple in her chin
the most delightful thing he had ever
beheld He was SO rapt in contempla-
ton Of ii that he started when the adj
iniraps shot addressed him Now,
then, Winstaniey, if you're ready, the
dogs are, and we'd better make a
start"
Winstanley shot but poorly that day.
The baron did far better, to his JOY.
He earned the commentator of the
keepers as "a straight shot for fur
riner, though a bit 'asty and rash"
Hc was so enraptured by his first day
among English cartridges that he half
forgot. the commission he had in hand.
He was the kind of tool that can be
worked by "a strong hand over it, but
is useless when left to act by itself.
The chief had not chosen with his
usual discretion when he took him for
such fine work.
Winstanley and he were seldom to-
gether, End then there was no chance
for speech. At lunch he was SO bent
on rel1ting his exploits to Mrs. Shut
tIewaite and Ursula, both Of whom lis
tened with polite interest to his story,
that he did not even attempt to make
his attack upon her. When he came
In to tea with the admiral, at the wan
Ing Of the gray AFTERNOON light, Win
stanley was lnaccountably missing,
and they both speculated where he
might be-. 1t was only when they
came past the 1ire-lit windows of the
drawing room, where the red flame
flung a food on wall and ceiling, that
their wonder was put to rest. There
sat the missing. man, on the bearslSin
ilearthrug, scorching his face and
burning his fingers with infinite zest.
He picked up chestnuts from the en-
beers and dropped them in haste again,
shaking his hand with rueful an
guish, while Miss Hamilton laughed by
his side. They were both as merry
and as happy as two children in the
nursery, and Mrs. Sluttlcwaite looked
or from behind the petticoat she was
knitting in mild complacency.
Halloa! What's come to your"
asked the admiral, as he fused into
the room behind his other guest. We
lost you over the brow of the hill and
thought you'd strayed. What is all
this? Dropped anything into the fire,
my dear, eh? Get the tongs to pull it.
out Don't let Winstanley burn his
fingers; that's ridiculous thing to
do
He likes it" said Ursula, demurely.
Or, at least, he says he does"
And I do, too! adore It'll" cried
the baron, Fastening forward. Let
me also burn mine"
by all means said Winstanley..
getting up and ostentatiously yielding
his place. You're just in the nick OF
time, then; Miss Hamilton has done
all she wants. You can burn your
fingers to the top Of your wishes
can't he, Mrs. Shuttlewaite? Mean
while, Miss Hamilton Is going to pour
out the tea for us and I'm going to-
carry It round Z
He had undoubtedly detestible
way with him, this generals aide-de.
camp. He carried the world as II It
belonged to him, and he was like q
wall OF adamant before one, whichever
way one turned. The baron found his
chestnut roasting pail when he was
left to enjoy it alone. He left the
hearthrug and came over to the low
chair beside the tea tray as soon as he
decently could
Winstanley had perforce to 90 and
talk to his hostess, since the baron
would not. He listened with divid-
I'd attention to her harmless talk about
missions and the new church they
were building IN Southsea. He was
aware OF answering with some absent
inindedness, and Of trying to catch
Uysula's words as she spoke to the
baron. That self-satisfed person
tilought he was making excellent
headway ia the good graces Of Miss
l5ainil ton. She was nuite al typical
sEng lish girl, unlike what one found
Il IN vSgh here else llea told himsaIf "a