Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-01-18
those burs from his ears if you

''Of course / will. Look up here,
puppy! No! Don't try to lick my
face, for that is bad manners. Demon
strations are odious, as the poet says"
Its always bad manners, isn't itT'
asked Miss Lands.
"What-being affectionate?"
eyes, and admitting it."
Il believe it is. Do you hear that
Sycamore? But, never mind; I'll
break the rules some day when we're
alone"
The dog laid one paw on Siward's
knee, looking him wistfully in the
eyes.
''More demonstrations" observed the
girl. "Mr Siward, you are hugging
him! This amounts to a dual con-
spiracy in bad manners"
lawfully glad to admit you to the
conspiracy" he said. There's one
vacancy-if you are eligible"
81 am. l was discovered recently
kissing my saddle mare
"That settles it! Sycamore. give tho
young lady the grip"
Sylvia Lands glanced at the dog,
then. impulsively shifting the whip to
her left hand, held out the right and
very gravely the Sagamore pup laid
one paw in her dainty white gloved
palm.
''You darling." murmured the girl.
resuming her whip.
Il noticed" observed Siward, that
1 you are perfectly qualified for mem
bership in our association for the pro-
motion of bad manners-in fact.
should suggest you for the presi-
dency''-
81 suppose you think all sorts Of
things because l gushed over that
dog"
"Of course l do"
"Well, you need not" she rejoined,
delicate nose up tilted. 81 never kissed
a baby in all my life and never mean
to, which is probably more than you
can say"
Eyes; it is more than l can say"
''That admission elects you presi-
dent" she concluded. But after a mo-
ment's silent driving she turned partly
toward him with mock seriousness:
i L
to feel that way about babies-and
about people too? l simply cannot en-
dure demonstrations. AS for dogs and
| horses-well, I've admitted how l be-
have, and, being so shamelessly affec-
Tomato by disposition, why can't l be
nice to babies? I've haZy but dread
full notion that there's something
wrong about me, Mr.. Siward"
He scrutinized the pretty features
anXiously. Il can't see it," he said.
"But l mean it-almost seriously. /
don't want to be so aloof, but don't
like to touch other people. 1t is rather
horrid of me, I suppose, to be like
those silky, plumy, luxurious Angora
cats, who never are civil to you and
who always jump out of your arms at
the first opportunity"
He laughed, and there was malice
in his eyes, but he did not know her
well enough to pursue the subject
through so easy an opening.
1t had occurred to her, too, that her
simile might invite elaboration, and
she sensed the laugh in his silence and
liked him for remaining silent where
he might easily have been wittily 9th
erwise.
This set her so much at ease, left her
so confident. that they were on terms
of gayest understanding presently, she
gOSsiping about the guests at Shot
over House, outlining the diversions
planned for the two weeks before
them
"But we shall see little of one an
other You will be shooting most of
the time," she said, with the very
faintest hint of challenge-too delicate,
too impersonal, to SAVIOR Of coquetry
But the germ of it was there.
'Do you shoot?'
Eyes. WhyY'
81 am reconciled to the shooting
then"
She laughed and started to flick her
whip, but at her first motion the horse
gave trouble.
''The bit doesn't fit" observed 81
ward.
you are perfectly right" she re-
turned, surprised. Il ought to have
remembered. 1t is shameful to drive
a horse improperly bitted." And aft
er a moment: ''You are considerate to
ward animals. 1t is good in a man."
"Oh, it's no merit. When animals
are uncomfortable it worries me. It's
one sort of selfshness, you see"
what nonsenser' she said, and heI
smile was very friendly. why doesn't
a nice man ever admit he's nice when
told sop
1t seems they had advanced that far
for she was beginning to find this
young man not only safe, but pro1nis-
ing She had met nobody recently half
as amusing, and the outlook at Shot
over House had been unpromising
with only the overgrateful Page twins
to practice on, the other men collec-
lively and individually boring her.
And suddenly, welcome as mama
from the sky, behold this highly agree
able boy to play with-until Quarter