The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-03-22

The little coyey Of quail flushed
prettily. and Rosaraond brought her
gun to her shoulder. Just as she
pulled the trigger, she became aware
that directly In line with the bird at
which she had freq was a brown coat
and felt hat.
Obi she gasbed, and the little
20 gauge dropped from her hands.
The forceful remarks which the oc.
cupant 81 the Chat had begun died
suddenly upon his Inns as he turned
and caught sight Of the trim little
ngure IN snort Skirt, ieggins and she'll
Deil- he walked toward her. stopping
on 2 way 70 Pick up the dead bird.
"Did-did / hit you?', Rosamond
#faltered: "you-you don't seem very
bloody"
Inc young Than laughed. Rosamond
was conscious that 1t was a very
peasant and well-modulated laugh,
and that his face was omen and at.
tractive.
"pn, you fit me all right, but No.
IL mo donf do much damage at 1870
yarus, ne responded. None of them
went through nv coat"
Gracious goodness. but IT scared
me--you sch | didn't see you until |
pulled the Trigger, ! was SO intent on
the birds Rasamond smiled. You
see, / never vent hunting alone be-
1 YGr0 and II - 4. I--n
sometnlhg to bring home. or Uncle
Harry would tease me to DEATH
Well. You might as we'll Get some
more otYt OF that covey--I watched
where they settled" the young mar
sald. handing her the gun which he
had plcKedl up. Come on" he added,
IN 9 matteri OF course voice, and much
70 9 astojnishment Rosamond went.
ne allow9ed her to precede him by
Ais Yards. minute later there
was a whir of$Mngs. and a quail rose
from beneath her feet, to crop at the
crack of her gun.
Rosamond flushed with a sense of
pride. It somehow seemed good to be
praised by this clear-eyed young man.
The strolled about the fields for an
hour, and her bag had amounted to
half q dozen birds, when she sudden
ly became aware that she was tired,
and turned back. toward her uncle's
farmhouse. Rosamond had felt, when
her physician had ordered her to the
country for a month, as though she
we're being committed to the peniten-
tiary, but a three days sojourn had
already convinced her that 1t would
be a most delightful vacation. Though
the air was brisk, the sun was de-
liciously warm, and she was conscious
that rosy color was Going into her
cheeks.
isn't 1t fne?" she said, hardly
realizing that she was speaking aloud,
"just Simply glorious, not to have to
make a call, or be at home to people
who bore you, or go to any silly ball.
or dinner, but just to enjoy yourself
and rest?"
Il suppose 1t isl have always
been too busy" he said, slowly. "As
a matter of fact, / should be cutting
cord-wood at this very minute. but l
couldn't resist the temptation to loaf
for a while"
you live near here? You know my
uncle. Mr.. Marshall, do you not?"
Rosamond asked.
mo, ! am sorry to say that l have
not the pleasure of knowing him; and
I can't really say that l live lear here.
My place of abode is not a fixed one
by any means; it is wherever my
work calls me. At present / am work
ing for a farmer by the name Of Car
ter" he responded. by the way, my
name is Graham, Malcolm Graham, II
you will permit me to introduce my
self haven't a card about me-" he
added with a smile, and a glance at
the suit of rough working clothes
which he wore.
Il am delighted to meet you, MI.
Graham" she said with a little bow
OF mock formality. Il am Rosamond
Grayson-and / haven't any identify
ing documents either-oh, yes, there
is the name-plate on my gum" she
smiled, and held up the stock for him
to see.
When they had reached the fence
surrounding her uncle's house, he
paused.
I'll tell you what we'll do" he said,
eagerly. Il have a gun, and Carter
has a good bird dog. I'll get a day off
tomorrow, and we'll go hunting right
Meet me at eight o'clock at that little
bridge we crossed awhile ago"
'All right" Rosamond agreed. 1t
seemed such a natural thing, some
how.
Don't be late" he cautioned, and
then, lifting his hat, he strobe away.
Rosamond hurried into the house,
and, after leaving her birds with the
cook, to her room. Here she placed
herself before her mirror, and stared
into the astonished eyes reflected
therein.
"Rosamond Grayson! What do you
mean?" she demanded. Here you
--. o-~- a,uasr as,s