The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-02-15

you're welcome to thatl But q gun!
My dear, among other things on this
place | have a $4,000 bull A stray
rife ball
why not a shotgun Dudley sug.
gested Penny objected SO adroitly
that Mr.. Mixter was presently In the
position of urging on his daughter the
advantages Of a weapon he dotestod
M well as feared She finally conced-
cd that a shotgun would do II she
could have II at once.
An hour later she was on her way
TO town 70 make her selection and or.
der her suit, She had declined TO try
the n until the other had been sent
up, a week Inter. Then she came
proudly down the front steps for the
benefit OF Dudley and her father.
feather and gun at exactly the dashlng
angle, and beamed frank satisfaction
Al them from q pose on the graveled
walk,
Come on, Duo" And so volatile
are a lovers spirits that this alb
hreyiation OF his name set Dudley
On a pranning high horse for a day
and q night,
Don't 20 near the bull pasture
called Mr.. Mixter after them,
Penny fired her first shot, then sat
down on a log, a hand against her
right shoulder, her face dubious.
"lt's-very loud" she said. did |
bit anythingg'
"You will do splendldly when you
learn not TO shut your eyes" said bud
ley, happy In the correct placing Of
her hard, little. sun.browned hands. "A
little nearer this time. Ready7" Pen.
ny rose to q second attempt, and at a
third began to show enthusiasm. BY
the end of an hour she could almost
hit things" as she proudly explained
TO her father.
you will be glad Of Il yet" she
told him. Some day | may ave your
life!"
"H'm." said Mr.. Mixter. 81 hope
you lock the dogs up when you 20
out"
penny's Workmanship improved 30
rapidly that presently she began TO 20
out shooting by herself, a course which
Dudley opposed with outward disinter.
estedness and inner chagrIn It seemed
Impossible to get any hold on this
cheerful and friendly young woman,
who never appeared TO feel anything
deeper than amusement, lie began to
find out from the inside the meaning
of many old. familiar phrases, among
them the psalmlst's sick of To- e"
Three times he grimly mounted his
horse and rode oyer TO take his refusal
and say good.hy. The third time she
had last been e e going off TO the
woods with her gun and he set out on
foot after her. determined that an.
other sun should not so down on his
misery of false hope.
fie found her sitting on a stump
with her gun across her knees. rage in
her face; at a little distance. cuwed,
humble, but as determined as herself.
crouched Rajah.
THAT old fool won't go homel" was
her indignant greeting. Il have yelled
at him, I've chased him I've hit him.
he Just looks like a Christian martyr.
and won't bulge. Goat" She threw 4
handful of twlgs at the ancient setter.
who drooied apology, but did not stir.
Don't shoot today. walk with nne
instead" Dudley urged. Il want to
talk to you, Penny"
Il started 10 shoot, and I am going
10 shoot" said Penny. Then her face
cleareF'. Il tell you--you take Rajah
back. sie will always go with you"
pudIs.s stood. with hands In his coat
pockets, and bent head. chilled. hurt,
discouraged.
Il suppose | seem to you ms tiresome
and persistent as Rajah.v he said. after
pause. Perhaps he believes you
really do want him. In spite OF your
actions. \ know I have been trying to
think that though without much sue.
LU1-|.I..E EF-NI II ~. M.-NN EHrn a-