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

there was q lit
Ssa1 tie laugh be-
Bearing the gfrl be- tween them. She
ftoecu them. they stepped daintily
1odod out across the stones
to the waters edge. instinctlvely gath
ering her kits In one hand.
miles and | could chair you over"
suggested Siward.
"ls that fair-under the rulesr'
"Oh. yes, miss, as long as you 60
straight" said the keeper.
So they laid aside the guns and the
guides gamesack, and formed chair
with their hands. and, bearing the girl
between them, they waded out along
the driven alder stakes, knee deep In
brown water.
Her arm. lightly resting around his
neck. frightened trifie as the water
rose 10 his thighs; then the faint pres
sure relaxed as they thrashed shore.
ward through the shadows, ankle deep
once more. and landed among the dry
reeds on the farther bank.
Miles. the keeper. went back Tor the
guns. Siward stamped about In the
sun, shaking the drops from water
proof brooches aud CATERS. only to be
half drenched again when Sycamore
shook himself vigorously.
81 suppose" said Sylvia, looking
sideways at Slward. your contempt
for my sporting accomplishments has
not decreased. I'm sorry. don't
like to walk in wet shoes even to gain
your approval
And as the keeper came splashing
across the shadows: miles, you may
carry my gun. shall not need II any
longer"
The upward roar Of bevy Of grouse
drowned her voice. Poor Sycamore,
pointing madly In the blackberry thick.
ct all unperceved, cast dismayed
glance aloft where the sunllt air quiz
cred under the winnowing rush OF
heavy wings. Slward flung up his
gun. heading big quartering bird.
Steadily the glittering barrels swept
in the arc Of fire. hesitated. wavered,
then the possibility passed, The young
fellow lowered the gun slowly, grave
ly, stood a moment motionless with
bent head until the rising color In bis
face had faded.
And that was all for awhile. The
astonished and disguised 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, began beating too
fast. For the ringing crack Of a gun
shot could have spoken no louder to
her than the glittering 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 trihe more than
mere amends for his rudeness. He
was OVERRIDING everything a little.
He stood on the Tickets edge, alb
sently unloading the weapon. scarcely
understanding what he had done and
what he had not done.
moment later far hail sounded
across the uplands. and against tho
sky figures moved distantly.
"Alderdene aud Marion Page" said
SiSu.u. Il ur..e,u We iuiicn yOnuer,
do we not. Miles,"
They climbed the hill In silence, ar.
| irving after u few minutes to tind 9TH
ers already at hiucheon-the Page
boys. eager. enthusiastic, recounting
adventure by food aud 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
Siward with u crisp, businesslike ques-
| ton or two then went over to inspect
their bag, nodding appreciation az
Miles laid the game on the grass.
Eight full brace" she commented.
| I'VE have five and an odd cock pheasant
from Black FEELS, l suppose. The
people to our left have been blazing
away like COney Island, but Rena' 8
guide says the ferns are full Of RAD
bits that way, and Major Belwether
can't hit fur afoot. YOU" she added
frankly to Siward, fought to take the
cup. The birches ahead Of you are
full Of woodcock. If you don't How
ard Quarter will. He's into a fight of
jack snipe, hear"
Siward's eyes had suddenly narrow.
ed; then he laughed, patting Saga
more's cheeks. Il don't believe shall
shoot very steadily this afternoon" he
said. turning toward the group at
luncheon under the trees. Il wish
! Quarter well with the cup"
"Nonsense!' said Marion Page curt.
ly. You are the cleanest shot ever
knew" Aud she raised her glass to
him frankly and 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 clappina
and laughter he turned again to Sylvia
smilingly. saying under his breath
"As though winning the cup would
! commensurate me now for losing itp