The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1906-08-23
HUNTING BIRDS
NESTS
BY H. B. MARRIOTT WATSON

LnEI I'zzlE1z'' lslzsllY
a.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 10
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 med
itative voice.
Charming" assented. my eyes
drifting with hers. II must have been
just then that Aline discovered that the
gate was not locked, but we did not no.
tice her or it. as we were exchanging
some fanciful thought about the view
Miss Deighton gracefully, but not too
securely. seated on the gatepost. My
gaze was the first 10 leave the prospect
and come about. Aline had pulled back
the gate TO its utmost limit. and now, in
full sal. l.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.
l caught her just in time as you may
gather when say that one of her feet
took me on the chin. She was rnffied
and red and a little scared when she
came to the perpendicular again.
"Alinel" she cried. angrily. What
on earth-?"
Sorry" said the tomhoy. frankly,
and her penitence disarmed further
criticism.
mann 9ou ~ HiuNus Sdiu 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 | could reach it?" | sug-
gested. gallantly.
Aline regarded me dubiously. "You
don't look as if But perhaps Won
could" she amended. hopefully. It's
over 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 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 a path there
and there are sure to be lots more lin
nets nests"
I don't think Miss Deighton cared
about the linnets' nests. but she did
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. heard
my name, and found Miss Delrhton
looking at me pathetically over a huge
spreading bush. What an to doe"
she asked. weakly. I guided her round
it. took two more Followers" on her
dress and pulled her out of a hole into
which she had lioundered.
This Is dreadful" she complained.
gasping. Aline, wherever is the
path?1
Aline was our only guide. and We
had to cling to her She pushed
ahead vigorously. and We followed
the underground.
For goodness sake, let her find it
and show it to us. and then let's 20"
Miss Deighton to me And
this IS birds-nestingin