Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1908-02-07

"al AsAs
-Because-because ! do not ask IL Of
you
-You need not. now that know YOU
wish"
Mr.. siward, I-my-wish'-
But she had no chance 10 finish. A!
ready Rena Bonnesdel was looking nj
them. and there was n hint OF amused
surprise In Eileen ShannOn's mischie-
vous eyes. averted instantly. with ma
liclous ostentation.
Then Marion Page took possession oil
him SO exclusively. so calmly. that
something In her cool certainty vague
ly irritated Sylvia. who had never liGec
her Besides. the girl showed too plain
ly her Indifference 20 other people
which other people seldom hnd anus
Ing.
Stephen" called out Alderdene anx
iously counting the web loops In hi
khaki vest, what do you call IAN
shooting at these ruled grouse: lor
needn't be civil about II, you know.
Five shells 10 bird is good shoot
ing" answered Siward. Don't you
think SO. Miss Pager
"You have a better score. MIR. 81
ward" said Marion Page. with a hos
tile glance at Alderdene. who had mol
made good. Impatient TO start, she
had turned her tailor made back 10 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, bang!"
And SO the luncheon party. lord and
lady, twins and maidens. guides and
dogs, tralled away across the ridge,
distant silhonettes 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.
Are you ready. Mr.. Siwardi' She
stood waiting for him at the edge OF
the thicket. Miles resumed his game
sack and her fowllng piece. The dog
came up, looking him anxiously IN the
eyes.
So he walked forward beside heI
into the dappled light OF the thicket.
Within n few minutes the dog stood
twice. and twice the whirring twitteI
Of woodcock startled her, echoed by
the futile crack OF his gun.
BEG pardon, sir"
"Yes, Miles" with CLINT OF humor.
"Overshot, sir. excusin' the liberty,
Mr.. Siward. Both marked down forty
yard to the left II you wish 10 start
'em again"
Miles" he said. my nerve is gone.
Such things happen. I'm all In Come
over here, my friend, and look at the
sun with me-"
The discounted keeper obeyed.
"Where ought that refulgent lumi'
nary to scintillate when ! face Osprey
Ledger
"SirT
"The sun. How do hold it,
"On the pint OF your right shoulder
sir. You amt quittin. Mr. Siward
sir" anxiously. THAT Shotover cur
Is easy yours. sir" eagerly. "Wot's 4
miss on old drummer, Mr.. Siward
Wot's twice overshootin' cock. sir
when a blind dropper can see you are
the cleanest. fastest. hard shootin' sho
In the hull county,
oh Il,
absent glance at the dog, and motioned
the astonished keeper forward.
Lime the easiest trail for u.s." he
said. II think we are already trifle
tired. Twigs will do in short cover
Use a Ratchet In the big timber. And
! 60 slow till we join you"
And when the unwilling and per
picked keeper had started. Siward. un
locking his gun, drew out the smooth
yellow cartridges and pocketed them.
! Sylvia looked up as the sharp metal
lie ciicK OF the locked Dreech rang out
In the silence.
"Mr. Siward" In quick dispeasure.
Eyes"
"What you do for your amusements
! cannot concern me-
Right, as usual he said. 80 gayly
that a reluctant smile trembled on her
/ lips.
Then why have you done this? 1t is
unreasonable II you don't feel as dc
about killing things that are having Il
good time in the world"
! He stood silent absently looking al
the fowllng piece Graded In his left
arm. shall we sit here moment and
talk 1t overT he suggested listlessly.
Her blue gaze swept him. His vague
smile was indlfrerently bland.
IF you are determined not to shoot
We might as well start for Ospre!
Ledge" she suggested. otherwise
what reason Is there for our being here
together. Mr.. Siward"
Awaiting his comment. perhaps ex
pecting counter proposition. she lean
ed against the tree beside which he
stood. and after awhile, as his absent
minded preOccupation continued:
do you think the leaves are dry
enough to sit on?'
He slipped of his shooting coat ant
placed 1t at the base Of the tree. She
seated herself. and. as he continued t,
remain standing, she stripped off hel
shooting gloves and glanced up at hin
inquiringly. We'll. Mr.. Siward, | an
literally at your feet
(Which redresses the balance a lit
tle." he said, finding place near her
He sat there. chin propped OH hi
linked fingers. elbow on knees and
though there was always the hint of {
smile In his pleasant eyes, always tn,
indefinable charm of breeding In voic,