The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1909-01-01

comment on beast and bird and tree
on forest stiffness and forest sounds
on life and the wild laws of life an
death governing the great out world
'twixt sky nd earth.
Somewhere in the woodland world
the crows were holding a noisy SEES
sion, and she told him that was the
Jury debating the degree of his guilt in
killing the birds.
Because you're guilty, Of course, .
she continued. Il wonder what yoCr
sentence is to beY'
'I'l leave it to YOU" he suggested
lazily
Suppose sentenced you to Stay no
more?"
/ 'Oh, I'd appeal
"No use. l am the tribunal Of last
resort"
''Then throw myself upon the mer-
! cy of the court"
"You do well, Mr.. Siward. This
court is very merciful. How much do
you care for bird murder? Very much :?
Is there anything you care for NOR?
Yes? And could this court grant it 20
you in compensation
He said deliberately, reused by the
level challenge of her gaze, THE court
Is incompetent to compensate the pris-
Oner or offer any compromise"
"Why, Mr.. Siward"
Because the court herself is already
compromised In her future engage
ments."
"But what has my engagement to
DO with
"You offered compensation for de-
priving me Of my shooting, There
eould be only one adequate compensa
ton"
"And thatT' she asked. coolly enough.
'Your continual companionship."
"But you have II, Mr.. Siward."
II have it for day. The season
lasts three months, you know"
And you and l are to play con-
tinuous vaudeville for three months?
Is that your offer"
Partly"
''Then one day with me is not worth
those many days Of murder?" she ask
ed in pretended establishment
TASK yourself why those many days
would be doubly empty" he said, so
seriously that the pointless game be
gan to confuse her.
'"Then"-she turned lightly from un
certain ground-''then perhaps we had
better be about that matter of the cup
NJ
Mr.. Siward? There is much to be
killed yet, including time, you know"
II am not sure" he reflected, Just
exactly what l should ask of you If
you insist on taking away"-he turned
and looked about him through the
burnt gold fohage-'if you took away
all this out of my life"
II shall not take 1t, because / have
nothing in exchange to offer, you say"
'he answered imprudently.
81 did not say So" he retorted.
you did, reminding me that the
court is already engaged for con-
inuous performance"
WAS 1t necessary to remind your
le asked, with deliberate malice.
She flushed up, vexed, silent, then
ooked directly at him with beautiful
hostile eyes, what do you mean, Mr..
,iward? Are you taking our harm
ess, idle badinage as warrant for an
unwarranted?"
"Have offended" he asked, so J
that fash of resentment
rought her to her feet angry and self
assessed.
"How far have we to goY she asked =
uietly. o
He rose to his feet, turned, hailing ! i
lie keeper, repeating the question. And :
the answer they both started for
ard, the dog ranging ahead through !!
dense growth Of beech and chestnut. x
yer a high brown ridge, then down,
ways down along leafy ravine to p
le waters edge-a forest pond set in G.
e gorgeous foliage of ripening naples.
II don't see," said Sylvia impatient "
, "how we are going to obey instruc- IL
pms and go straight ahead. There IL
ust be a stupid boat somewhere "
But the game laden keeper shook his
lad, pulled up his hip boots, and al
tinted out line of alder poles set in 81
e water to mark a crossing. -
Am expected to wadeT asked the CO
n anxiously.
This here" observed the keeper, sis m
one of the most
!: :: !: !: :: :: !:
A XVI sportin' courses
MA on the estate.
NN~eTWA Last season
NV WAE3 seen Miss Page 20
MANILI go through II
WMSQ like scared wi
HAE1 a deer-the young
II ~ VI y 4 lady, sir, that
y ~, / = took last sea- re;
ilANsMMNN01 sons cup" - In tn,
IMEI1 m explanation to sui
Sim VnAr Sfward, who vo
~ NK@W stood doubtfully lie