Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-02-08
"This here


tlUccn them, they stepped daintily
IOGded out. across the stones
to the waters edge, instinctively gath
ering her kits in one hand.
miles and | could chair you over"
suggested Siward
lis that fair-under the rules?'
ooh. yes, miss, as long as you go
straight" said the keeper.
So they laid aside the guns and the
guides gamesack, and formed a chair
with their hands, and, bearing the girl
between them, they waded out along
the driven alder stakes, knee deep in
brown water.
Her arm. lightly resting around his
neck, frightened a trif1e as the water
rose to his thighs; then the faint pres
sure relaxed as they thrashed shore
ward through the shadows, ankle deep
once more. and landed among the dry
reeds on the farther bank.
| Miles, the keeper, went back for the
guns. Siward stamped about in the
sun, shaking the drops from water
proof breeches and CATERS, only to be
half drenched again when Sycamore
shook himself vigorously.
~ suppose" said Sylvia, looking
sideways at Siward, 'your contempt
for my sporting accomplishments has
not decreased. I'm sorry. | don't
| like to walk in wet shoes even to gain
your approval"
And as the keeper came splashing
across the shadows: "Miles, you may
carry my gun. shall not need it any
longer"
The upward roar of a bevy Of grouse
drowned her voice. Poor Sycamore,
| pointing madly in the blackberry thick
ct all unperceived, cast a dismayed
glance aloft where the sunlit air quiz
cred under the winnowing rush Of
heavy wings. Siward flung up his
gun, heading a big quartering bird.
Steadily the glittering barrels swept
in the arc of fire, hesitated, wavered,
then the possibility passed. The young
fellow lowered the gun slowly, grave
| ly, stood a moment motionless with
bent head until the rising color in his
face had faded.
astOnished and Disguised keeper stared
into the thicket The dog lay CULVER
ing, impatient for signal. Sylvia's
heart, which had seemed to stop with
her voice, silenced in the gusty thun-
der of heavy wings. began beating too
fast For the ringing crack of q gun
shot could have spoken no louder to
bor fbou t[,O erIi+toriDoe ciIoDoo Of fI1es
suspended barrels nor any promise Of
his voice sound as the startled stiffness
sounded now about her, for he had
made something d trifle more than
mere amends for his rudeness. He
was OVERRIDING everything little.
He stood on the thicket's edge, abb
sentIy unloading the weapon, scarcely
understanding what he had done and
what he had not done.
A moment later a far hail sounded
across the uplands, and against the
sky figures moved distantIy.
"Alderdene and Marion Page" said
Siward. IT believe we lunch yonder,
do we not, MileST
They climbed the hill In silence, ar.
irving after few minutes to find 9TH
ers already at luncheon-the Page
boys, eager, enthusiastic, recounting
adventure by flood and field; Rena
Bonnesdel, tired and frankly bored and
decorated with more than her share Of
mud; Eileen Shannon, very pretty, very
effective, having done more execution
with her eyes than with the dainty
fowling piece beside her.
Marion Page nodded to Sylvia and
Siward with a crisp, businesslike ques-
ton or two, then went over to inspect
their bag, nOdding appreciation as
Miles laid the game on the grass.
Eight full BRACE" she commented.
1--WE have five and an odd cock pheasant
from Black Fells, / suppose. The
people to our left have been blazing