Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-02-01

man could look. unmoved. upon a
twitching, blood soiled heap of feath-
ers at her feet.
Meanwhile Dawson. dog whip at sa-
lute,. stood knee deep among his rest
less settlers explaining the ceremony
with which Mr.. Ferrall ushered in the
opening of each shooting season.
Its our own idee, Miss Landis," he
said proudly. "Onc't season Mr.. Fer
rail- and his guests likes it for a mixed
bag. Ills a sort of picnic, miss. The
guns is in pairs, sixty yards apart in
line, an the rules is walk straight
ahead, dogs to heel until first cover is
reached; fire straight or to quarter,
never blankin' nor wipin' no eyes, and
ground game counts as feathers for the
Shotover cup
ooh! It's skirmish line that walks
straight ahead?' said Siward, nodding.
straight ahead, sir. No stoppin', no
turnin' for hedges, fences, water CT
rock. There is boats FIR deep water
and fords marked and corduroy FIR to
pass the Seven Dreens. Luncheon at
1, 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 bag is counted the
traps are ready to carry you home
again." And to Siward: "Will you
draw for your lady, sir? 1t is the GUS
TOM"
"Are you my 1adyY" he asked,
turning to Sylvia.
do you want me?"
In the smiling luster of her eyes the
tiniest spark flashed out at him,
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 emergeI cies.
I'm probably poor shot," she said,
looking smilingly straight into ST.
wards eyes. But if you'll take me-
81 will with pleasure" he said.
Dawson, do we draw for position?
Very well, then" And he drew
slip of paper from the box offered by
the head keeper.
mo. ~ 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 hill
line. Will you choose your dog. sir?"
you have your dog, you know" OBJ
served Sylvia demurely, and Siward,
glancing among the impatient settlers,
saw one white, heavily feathered dog
Straining at his leash and wagging
frantically, brown eyes fixed on him.
The next moment Sycamore was
free, devouring his master with Ca
resses, the glrI looking on IN SHINING
silence, and presently, side by side, the
man, the girl and the dog were stroll.
ing off to the starting line, where al
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, busily energetic and IN high
spirits, greeted them gayly, pointing
out the red disk bearing their num-
Der, Z, where it stood out distinctly
above the distant scrub of the fore
land.
'You two are certainly up against
itr' he said, grinning. There's only
one rougher line, and you're in for
thorns and water and a scramble
across the backbone of the divide"
rs it any good?" asked Siward.
"Good-if you've got the legs and
Sylvia doesn't play baby
"I?" she said Indignantly. Kemp.
you annoy me. And l will bet you
now" she added. flushing, that your
old cup is ours"
wait" said Siward. laughing. eve
may not shoot straight"
"You will Kemp, I'll wager what
ever you dare"
Gloves? neutrality-suspicious. ciga-
rette caseY' he suggested.
"DOne" she said disdainfully, NOV
ing forward along the skirmish line.
with a nod and smile for the groups
now disintegrating into couples-the
Page boys with Eileen Shannon and
Rena Bonnesdel, Marion Page follow
ed by Alderdene, Mrs. Vendenning 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 flag
lifted high in the sunshine, watching
the firing line until the last laggard
was in position.
Gall right, Gracew said Ferrall brisk
~. Down went the white flag. The
far ranged line started into motion
straight across country, dogs at heel.