Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1907-03-23

putieu the IIlSSeT, ouc uSSaihS """iN
that directly in line with the bird at
which she had fired was brown coat
aud felt hat.
"Oh,". she gasped, and the little
20 gauge dropped from her hands.
The forceful remarks which the oc-
cupant of the coat had begun died
suddenly upon his lips as he turned
and caught sight of Jhe trim little
figure in short skirt, leggins and she'll
belt. He walked toward her, stopping
on the way to pick up the dead bird.
'Did-did l hit you?" Rosamond
faltered: ''you-you don't seem very
bloody"
The young man laughed. Rosamond
was conscious that it was a very
pleasant and well-modulated laugh,
and that his face was open and at
tractive.
"Oh. you hit me all right but No.
IL shot don't do much damage at 10
yards" he responded. None of them
went through my coat"
Gracious, goodness, but it scared
me-you see | didn't see you until
the BIRDS" Rosamond smiled You
see, | never went hunting alone be-
fore, and | wanted to be sure to have
q. something to bring home, or Uncle
Harry would tease me to death"
We'll, you might as we'll get some
more out of that covey-l watched
where they settled" the young man
aid bopdinu bar tho pun which he
had picked up Come on" he added,
Ia a matter of course voice, and much
to her establishment Rosamond went.
He allowed her to precede him by
a few yards. A minute later there
was a whir of wings, and quail rose
from beneath her feet, to drop at the
crack of her gun.
VERY good" he exclaimed, and
Rosamond flushed with a sense OF
pride 1t 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 a dozen birds, when she sudden
iy became aware that she was tired,
and turned back toward her uncle's
her physician had ordered her to the
country for month"; as though she
were being committed to the peniten-
tary, but a three days sojourn had
already convinced her that it would
be a most delightful vacation. Though
the air was brisk, the sun was de-
llciously warm, and she was conscious
that rosy color was Going into her
cheeks.
Isn't it fine?" she said, hardly
realizing that she was speaking aloud,
lust 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
aud rest?"
81 suppose it isl have always
been too busy" he said, slowly. "As
a matter Of fact, | should be cutting
cord-wood at this very minute, but
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.
NO, am sorry to say that I have
not the pleasure of knowing him; and
can't really say that live near 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 farmer by the name of Car
ter" he responded. by the way, my
name is Graham Malcolm Graham, If
you will permit me to introduce my
self haven't a card about me-" he
added with smile, and a glance at
the suit Of rough working clothes
which he wore.
Il am delighted to meet you, Mr..
Graham" she said with a little bow
of mock formality. Il am Rosamond
Grayson-and | haven't any identity
Ing documents either-oh, yes, there
is the nameplate 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.
''Tll tell you what we'll do" he said.
eagerly. IL have a gun, and Carter
has a good bird dog. I'll get day off
tomorrow and Wen go hunting right
Meet me at eight o'clock at that little
bridge we crossed awhile ago."
"All right Rosamond agreed It
seemed such a natural thing, some
how.
Don't be late" he cautioned, and
then, lifting his hat, he strobe away.
Bosamond hurried into the house,
aud. 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
have made an engagement to go hunt
ing with total stranger hired