Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1908-04-09

BY ARMIGER BARCLAY
(Copyright.)

Archie Strachan Ca topping good
shot, to keeper)-I understand Mr.
Grayson to say that the moor was good
for 600 brace at least.
McFay-Ay, We ken the lads very
Disseminating He didna' want to
haggle, so he just said sax hundred
wiout wasting mair breath.
Strachan (aside)-What an ass
was to come! Wen be lucky If we get
a dozen brace to-day.
(Mrs. Grayson, a pretty little woman
n a pleated tartan edged with leather.
comes out of the breakfast room, flour
ishing a new 2S-bore in reckless
manner0
Mrs. Cob. here YOU are. Mr..
Strachan (excitably). I'm just dying
TO kill something.
Strachan (steps aside hurriedly)-
You look killing, Mrs. Grayson; but If
you don't mind
Mrs. Cob, I'm so sorry! I'm
afraid ! don't hold my gun properly
yet covers McFay with it,. Isn't 1t
perfect day? The girls are simply wild
with excitement at the idea of shoot.
ing real grouse. We've only had some
practice at a few fowls as yet.
Strachan (blanching)-Are Miss
Kent and her friends going to-
Mrs. G.-Of course they are! May
has such a dinlSy little gun-an Ameri-
can thing that goes off one, two, three,
| four-just like that She says she's
bound to hit something.
Strachan (persprng)-I shouldn't
wonder. (Aside) I've let myself in for
something cheerful!
(Grayson comes out with the girls.
They are very Smart and in high
spirits. May has Colt repeater under
her arm, and Gwen 20-bore with
stock that is obviously too long for
her)
Grayson-Hellol Where have the
others got to? We ought to be off
It's nearly II.
McFay-I'm thinking it's just sin
fu waste o guild TYNE stopping in the
hoose The birds have all had their
bite o. heather and wull be waiting for
ye.
May-Heatherl You don't mean 70
say that they eat it?
Gwen (who has a healthy appetite)
Not raw?
McFay-Ay, my leddie Just heath
err and sup O. dew nae mair.
Capt. Roche, Freddie Champion
and the Hon. Arthur Priestly, the
three male gums" of the party, make
their appearance)
Grayson-Come along, my boys It's
time we were off.
Gle leads the way. As they walk
down to the lodge Strachan falls back
to the other men)
Strachan (solemnly)-I say, you
fellows, do you know that those girls
have never shot before? Miss Kent's
got a Colt with the magazine jam full
up! Look at her; she's carrying it by
the foresight now
Both men-Ye gods, (They look at
one another uneasily)
Strachan-There's only one thing to
be done We must lose EN-, or some
body Il be murdered
Roche-But how?
Strachan-Make the pace as hot as
we can, and leave EN- behind.
Priestly Thanks, ! don't want to
be shot in the back
Strachan Grritably) can you
suggest anything else?
Champion (refectively) What
about clearing out at once?
Strachan-We cant do that. Gray
sons a decent chap. Look here, leave
it to me. I'll arrange something with
McFay
Catches up with the keeper and
talks to him aside. On the moor, five
minutes later McFay puts them in a
line with the ladies on the left)
Grayson-Keep your gun straight,
Connie. That's right. Look out when
you get to that patch of heather.
CAS- he speaks a covey gets up with
in 20 yards. Gwen, at the extreme
left. shuts her eyes, lets fly and
misses May gives a little scream as
her Colt goes off before she expects It,
Grayson brings down a "cheeper."
Mrs. Grayson, with her gun at safe, =
pulls the trigger Intellectually
Grayson-Bravo, girls! Don't be
down-hearted If you don't kill every
time.
Mrs. Good heavens! What's the
matter with Gwen?
Gwen (who has stopped and Is feel
ing her shoulder tenderly)-I believe
I've broken something (Faintly) Do
come and see, Mr.. Grayson.
The Graysons and May run to
her)
Strachan lin a hoarse whisper TO
PIiestly who is about to follow them)
Keep straight on. It's all right. She
pulled both triggers at once and got
kicked that's all.
(covey rises on the left, and five
birds fall TO the three men,
Champion (as he ejects)
we better wait for them?
Strachan-Manl This is our chance
Edge away TO the left and Wen be out
OF sight in three minutes. CAS- he
speaks two quick reports follow one