Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-01-22
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lContinued.)


astonished and ,lisgustcd keeper stared
into the thicket The dog lay CULVER
Ing, impatient for signal. Sylvia's
heart, which had seemed to stop with
her voice. silenced In the gusty thun-
der Of heavy wings, begun beating too
fast For the ringing crack OF gun
shot could have spoken no louder to
her than the glitterlnK silence OF the
suspended barrels nor any promise OF
his voice sound as the startled stiffness
sounded now about her. for he had
made something tr'fie more than
mere amends for his rudeness. he
was OVERRIDING everything little.
He stood on the thickets edge, alb
sently unloading the weapon. scarcely
understanding what he had done and
what he had not done.
A moment lNter far hail sounded
across the uplands. and against the
sky figures moved distantly.
"Alderdene and Marion Page" said
Siward. II believe we lunch yonder,
do we not, Miles?"
They climbed the hill In silence, ar.
riving aftev few minutes to lind 9TH
ers already at luncheon-the Page
boys, eager, enthusiastic, recounting
adventure by flood and field; Rena
Bonnesdel, tired and frankly bored and
decorated with more than her share OF
mud; Eileen Shannon, very pretty, very
effective, having done more execution
with her eyes than with the dainty
fowling piece beside her.
Marion Page nodded to Sylvia and
Slward with crisp, businesslike ques-
ton or two, then went over to inspect
their bag, noddlng appreciation AZ
Miles laid the game on the grass.
Eight full BRACE" she commented.
1--WE have Ave and an odd cock pheasant
from Black Fells, suppose. The
people to our left have been blazing
away like Coney Island, but Rena's
guide says the ferns are full of rab-
bits that way, and Major Belwether
can't hit fur nfoot. You," she added
frankly to Siward. fought to take the
cup. The birches ahead Of you are
full Of woodcock. II you don't How
ard Quarter will. He's into fisht OF
jack snipe, hear"
Siward's eyes had suddenly narrow
ed; then he laughed, patting Saga
more's cheeks. II don't believe shall
shoot very steadily this afternoon" he
said, turning toward the group at
luncheon under the trees. Il wish
Quarter we'll with the cup.
NONSENSE said Marion Page curt
ly. "You are the cleanest shot ] ever
knew" And she raised her glass to
him frankly md emptied 1t with the
precision characteristic of her: Your
cup! With all my hearth
Il also drink to your success, Mr.. 81
ward" said Sylvia in a low voice. lift
ing her champagne glass in the sun
light. ITO the Shotover cup-if you
wish it,
In the little gust of hand clapping
and laughter he turned again to Sylvia
smilingly. saying under his breath,
"As though winning the cup would
compensate me now for losing it,"
She leaned involuntarily nearer, You
mean that you will not try for 1T?
yes"
"That is not fair to me"
"Why not?"
Observation-Disclosures do not ask 1t Of
you"
You need not, now that know your
wish
"Mr. Siward, I-my-wish"-
But she had no chance to finish. AL
ready Rena Bonnesdel was looking at
them, and there was hint of amused
surprise in Eileen Shannon's mischie-
vous eyes. averted instantly. with ma
liciOus oStentatiOn.
Then Marion Page took possession Of
him so exclusively. so calmly, that
something in her cool certainty vague
ly irritated Sylvia. who had never liked
her. Besides, the girl showed too plain
ly her Indifference to other people.
which other people seldom find anus
ing.
stephen" called out Alderdene anx-
iously counting the web loops In his
khaki vest. what do you call fair
shooting at these ruffed grouse? You
needn't be civil about it, you know"
give shells to bird is good shoot
ing" answered Siward. Don't you
think SO, Miss Page?'
"You have a better score, Mr.. ST.
ward" said Marion Page, with a hos
tile glance at Alderdene, who had not
made good. Impatient to start, she
had turned her tailor made back to the
company and was instructing his crest
fallen lordship very plainly: You IRE
too quickly, Blinky. Two seconds is
what you must count when grouse
Pushes. You must say, Mark, right
or Mark, left, bangv"
And so the luncheon party, lord and
lady, twins and maidens. guides and
dogs, trailed away across the ridge,
distant silhouettes presently against
the sky, then gone. And after little
while the far dry, accentless report
Of smokeless powder announced that
the opening of the season had been re-
sumed and the birds were dying fast
in the glory Of perfect day.
care you ready, Mr.. Siward! She
stood waiting for him ut the edge Of
the thicket Miles resumed his game
sack and her fowling piece. The dog
came up, locking him anxiously IN the
eyes.
So he walked forward beside her
into the dapp!ed light Of the thicket.
Within a few minutes the dog stood