The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1908-01-30

BY AaMI0ER BARCLAY
(Copyright.)

II S osAoSuou "a tipping SOOu
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
Maggie, so he just said sax hundred
wf'out wasting mair breath.
Strachan (aside) What an ass
was to come! Well be lucky II we get
a dozen brace to-day!
(Mrs. Grayson, pretty little woman
In pleated tartan edged with leather,
comes out of the breakfast room, -four
ishtng new ashore in a reckless
manner.)
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 it a
perfect day? The girls are simply wild
with excitement at the idea of shoot
ing real grouse. We've only had some
practice at few fowls as yet.
Strachan (blanching)-Are Miss
Kent and her friends going to-
Mrs. COT course they are! May
has such dinky 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 (perspiring)-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 a 20.bore with a
stock that is obviously too long for
herr
Grayson-Hello! Where have the
others got to? We ought to be off.
It's nearly II.
McFay-Tm thinking it's just a sim
~ waste o. guild time stopping in the
hose. The birds have all had their
bite O. heather and wull be waiting for
We.
May-Heather! You don't mean to
say that they eat it?
Gwen (who has healthy appetitel
Not raw?
McFay-Ay, my leddie. Just heath
,, er and sup o. dew; nae mair.
(Capt. Roche. Freddie Champion
and the Hon. Arthur Prfestly, the
three male guns of the party, make
their appearance.)
Grayson-Come along, my boys. It's
: time we were off.
(He 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 Kents
got Colt with the magazine jam full
up! Look at her; she's carrying it by
i the foresight now!
Both men-Ye gods! fThey look at
one another uneasily.)
Strachan-There's only one thing to
; be done. We must lose 'en, or some.
body II be murdered.
Roche-But how?
Strachan-Make the pace, as hot az
we can, and leave 'em behind.
Priestly-Thanks. I don't want to
be shot in the back!
Strachan (frritably) -Wel1, can YOU
suggest anything else?
Champion (reftective1y) = What
about clearing out at once?
Strachan-We can't do that. Gray
sons decent chap. Look here, leave
1t 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 q
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.
Gas he speaks convey gets up with
in 20 yards. Gwen, at the extreme
left, shuts her eyes, lets fly and
misses. May gives little scream as
her Colt goes of before she expects it.
Grayson brings down a "cheepev."
Mrs. Grayson, with her gun at safe, y
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 Tin a hoarse whisper to
2ricstly. 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 Gas he ejects)-Hadn't
we better wait for them?
Strachan-Man! This is our chance
Edge away to the left and we'll be out
of sight in three minutes. CAS- he
speaks two quick reports follow one
another, and something sings through