Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-01-20
The Fighting
Chance. ess5 s, y:
Copyright 1906 Curtis Publishing Company
by w.
BY >.
ROBERT w.
CHAMBERS.
Copyright, 1905, by tho Curtis Publishing Company.
Copyrieh. 1905, by Robert w Chambers.

pass the Seven Dreens. Luncheon ut
l, miss, an hours rest. then straight
on over hill, valley, rock and river to
the rondyvoo atop Osprey ledge. You'll
see the poles and the big nests, sir.
It's there they score for the cup and
there when the bug is counted the
traps are ready to carry you home
again." And il Siward will you
draw for your lady, sir? 1t is the Gus
TOM"
Are you my LADY," he asked.
turning to Sylvia.
.Do you want me?"
In the smiling luster of her eyes the
tiniest spark flashed out ut him, a
hint at defiance for somebody, perhaps
for Major Belwether. who had taken
considerable pains to enlighten her as
to Siward's condition the night be-
fore; perhaps also for Quarter, who
had naturally expected to act as her
gun bearer in emergencies.
.'rm probably poor shot" she said.
looking smilingly straight into ST.
wards eyes. But If you'll take me-
II will with pleasure" he said.
"Dawson, do we draw for position?
Very well. then" And he drew q
slip Of paper from the box offered by
the head keeper.
"No. 4" said Sylvia. looking over his
shoulder. "Come out to the starting
line, Mr.. Siward All the positions are
marked with golf disks. What sort
Of ground have we ahead, Dawson"
kind O. stiff, MISS" grinned the
keeper. PITY your gentleman amt
drawed the meadows an Sachem bill
line. VIII you choose your dog, siry"
you have your dog. you know" OBJ
served Sylvia demureiy. and Slward.
glancing among the impatient settlers,
saw one white, heavily feathered dog
straining at his leash and wagglng
frantically, brown eyes fixed on him
The next moment Sycamore was
free, devouring his master with ca
resses. the girl looking on in smiling
silence. and presently, side by side, the
man, the girl and the dog were stroll
ing of to the starting line, where III
ready people were gathering in groups.
selecting dogs, fowling pieces, COM
pairing numbers and discussing the
merits of their respective lines OF ad-
vance.
Ferrall, Dusily energetic and in high
spirits. greeted them gayly. pointing
out the red disk bearing their num-
Der, z, where 1t stood out distinctly
above the distant scrub of the fore
land.
you two are certainly up against
itv' he said, grinning. There's only
one rougher line, and you're in for
thorns and water and scramble
across the backbone Of the divide"
as it any good?" asked Siward.
"Good-lf you've got the legs and
Sylvia doesn't play baby
"IY' she said Indignantly. Kemp.
you annoy me. And ] will bet you
now" she added. flushing. that your
old cup is ours"
"Wait," said Siward, laughing. I'VE
may not shoot straight"
"You will. Kemp. I'll wager what
ever you dare"
"Gloves? Stockings-aga ciga'
rette casey' he suggested.
"Done" she said disdainfully, NOV
ing forward along the skirmish line,
with Il nod and smile for the groups
now disintegrating into couples-the
Page boys with Eilee shannon and
Rena Bonnesdel, Marie Age follow
ed by Alderdene. Mrs. ,denning and
Major Belwether and the Tassel girl
conveyed by Leroy Mortimer. Farther
along the line. taking post. she saw
Quarter and Miss Caithness. Captain
Voucher with Mrs. Mortimer and 9th
ers too distant to recognize moving
across country with glitter and CLINT
of sunlight on slanting gun barrels.
And now Ferrall was climbing into
his saddle beside his pretty wife, who
sat her horse like boy, the white fiaa
lifted high in the sunshine, watching
the firing line until the last laggard
was In position.
"All right GraceW said Ferrall brisk
ly. Down went the white flag. The
far ranged line started into motion
straight across country, dogs at heel.
From her saddle Mrs. Ferrall could
see the advance strung out far afiel6
from the dark spots moving along the
FEELS boundary to the two couples
traversing the salt meadows to north
Crack! A distant report came family
over the uplands against the wind.
voucher" observed Ferrall, 'proba
bly, a snipe. Hark! He's struck them
again, Grace"
Mrs. Ferrall, watching curiously
saw Siward's gun fly up as two big
dark spots foated up from the marsh
and went swinging over his head
Crack! Crack! Down sheered the
black spots, tumbling earthward out OF
the sky.
"Duck," said Ferrall. "a double fol
Stephen. Lord Harry! How that man
can shoot! Isn't it a pity that
He said no more His pretty wife
astride her thoroughbred, sat silent
gray eyes fixed on the distant figures
of Sylvia Lands and Siward, now
shoulder deep in the reeds.
"Was it very bad last night?" she
asked in q low voice.
Ferrall shrugged. HE was not Of
fensive. He walked steadily enough
upstairs. When I went into his room
he lay on the bed as If he'd been
struck by lightning, and yet you see
how he Ia this morning."
AFTER awhile" his wife said, ut is
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