Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1908-05-01

T. IL
from Black Fells, | suppose. nc
people to our left have been Dlazins
away like Coney Island, but Renas
guide says the ferns are full OF rap
hits that way, and Major Belwether
can't hit fur afoot. You," she adaeu
frankly to Siward, fought to take Tue
cup. The birches ahead OF you are
full of woodcock. If you don't HOW.
ard Quarter will. He's into fight OF
jack snipe, hear"
Siward's eyes had suddenly narrow
ed; then lie laughed, paNing saga,
more,s cheeks. Il don't believe ] shall
shoot very steadily this afternoon" ne
said, turning toward the group at
luncheon under the trees. i wlsn
Ouarrier we'll with the cup"
"Nonsensey' said Marion Page curt
ly. "You are the cleanest shot ever
knew" And she raised her glass TO
him frankly and emptied 1t with the
precision characteristic OF her: your
cup! With all my heart!
Il also drink to your success, Mr.. 81
ward" said Sylvia in a low voice, hit
ing her champagne glass In the SUM-
light. ITO the Shotoyer cup-if you
wish it,
In the little gust of hand elapping
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 itY'
"Yes."
"That Is not fair to me-"
"Why not!'
Because I do not ask it Of
you"
"You need not, now that know your
WISH
''AIr. 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 ostentatlon.
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 better score, Mr.. 81
ward" said Marion Page, with 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 fire
too quickly, Blinky. Two seconds is
what you must count when a grouse
iushes. You must say, Mark, right,
or Mark, left, bang!"
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.
"Are you ready, Mr.. SlwardY she
stood waiting for him at the edge or
the thicket. Miles resumed his game
sack and her fowling piece. The dog
came up, looking him anxiously In the
eyes.
So he walked forward beside her
into the dappled light Of the thicket
Within a few minutes the dog stood
twice, and twice the whlrrlng twitter
of woodcock startled her, echoed by
the futile crack of his gun.
"Beg pardon, sir"
eyes. Miles," with CLINT Of humor
"Oyershot. sir, excusin' the liberty,
Mr.. Siward Both marked down forty
yard to the left If you wish to 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
Ledge?
"Sir?'
"The sun. How do hold it?"
"On the pint of your right shoulder,
sir. You amt quittin', Mr.. Siward,
sirp anxiously THAT Shotorer cup
is easy yours, sir?' eagerly. "Wots a
miss on q old drummer, Mr. Siward
Wot's twice overshootin' cock. sir,
when q blind dropper can see you are
the cleanest, fastest. hard shootin shot
in the hull county,?
But Siward shook his head. with an
absent glance at the dog. and motioned
the astonished keeper forward.
Line the easiest trail for u.s." he
said. II think we are already a trifle
tired Twlgs will do in short cover.
Use Ratchet in the big timber. And
20 slow till we join you"
And when the unwilling and per-
picked keeper had started. Siward, IN
locking his gun, drew out the smooth
yellow cartridges and pocketed them.
Sylvia looked up as the sharp metal,
lie click of the locked breech rang Out
In the silence.