Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1907-02-14

you're welcome to that! But gun!
My dear, among other things on this
place I have $4,000 bull. A stray
rife ball"
"Why not shotgun" Dudley sug
gested. Penny objected so adroitl,
that Mr.. Mixter was presently in the
position of urging on his daughter the
advantages of weapon he detestet
as well as feared. She finally conced
ed that a shotgun would do II she
could have 1t at once.
An hour later she was on her way
to town to make her selection and or
! der her suit. She had declined to try
/ the one until the other had been sent
up, a week later. Then she came
proudly down the front steps for the
benefit of Dudley and her father,
feather and gun at exactly the dashing
angle, and beamed frank satisfaction
at them from pose on the graveled
walk.
Come on, Dud." And so volatile
are a lovers spirits that this alb
breviation of his name set Dudley
on prancing high horse for a day
and night.
Don't go near the bull pasture"
called Mr.. Mixter after them.
Penny fired her first shot, then sat
down on log, a hand against her
right shoulder, her face dubious.
"It's-very loud" she said. did !
hit anything?"
"You will do splendidly 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. Ready?" Pen
ny rose to 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 1t yet" she
told him. Some day / may save your
life!"
"H'm!" said Mr.. Mixter. II hope
you lock the dogs up when you go
out"
Penny's Workmanship improved SO
rapidly that presently she began to go
out shooting by herself, course which
Dudley opposed with outward disinter-
estedness and inner chagrin. 1t seemed
impossible to get any hold on this
cheerful and friendly young woman,
who never appeared to feel anything
deeper than amusement. He began to
find out from the inside the meaning
of many old, familiar phrases, among
them the psalmist's sick of love-"
Three times he grimly mounted his
horse and rode over to take his refusal
and say good-by. The third time she
had last been seen going off to the
woSds with her gun, and he set out on
foot after her, determined that an
other sun should not go down on his
misery of false hope.
He found her sitting on a stump
with her gun across her knees, rage IN
her face; at little distance. cowed,
humble. but as determined as herself.
crouched Rajah.
THAT old fool won't go home!" was
her indignant greeting. II have yelled
at him, I've chased him. I've hit him
he just looks like Christian martyr.
and won't bulge Goat!" She threw a
handful Of twigs at the ancient setter,
who drooled apology. but did not stir.
Don't shoot to-day. walk with me
instead" Dudley urged. Il want to
talk to you, Penny"
81 started to shoot. and am going
to shoot" said Penny. Then her face
cleared. II tell you-you take Rajah
back. He will always go with you"
Dudley stood. with hands in his coat
pockets, and bent head. chilled. hurt.
discouraged.
Il suppose seem to you as tiresome
and persistent as Rajah," he said. after
pause. Perhaps he believes you
really do want him, in spite of your
actions. ! know have been trying to
think that. though without much sue