The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-02-05
THE EVENING STORY
Hunting with Dorothy.
by Littell McClung.l

Dorothy was a sportswoman from the
tip of her dainty pumps to the top OF
her aristocratic head. Never had owen
Compton met a girl in whom so many
delightful qualities were blended
That dashing creature known as the
athletic girP' he cordially dlSnkeo,
holding that young women were intend
ed primarily for coy corners.
So, when introduced to Dorothy, he
felt sure he would not like her bit:
Handsome she undoubtedly was, and
oueenly, too; but with her queenli-
ness Dorothy was vivaciousness itself.
She could ride with the skill of a cow
boy the widest pony that ever leapeo
a fence. She could shoot like an ex-
pert and row like a university oars
And after galloping gayly over the
fields on one of her papa's most dan
gerous young horses she would come
into the drawing room, and, with sym
pathetic touch, play a score of old
time melodies surcharged with senti-
ment.
Before many moons owen discover
ed that with all her athletic propensi-
ties Dorothy was as tender-natured
and as warm-hearted as any girl who
breathed the ozone.
The result was inevitable.
Therefore, when Dorothy looked UP
from the piano, a coquettish light in
her dark eyes, and asked: "Owen, when
are you coming out to shoot cartridges
with me?" owen replied that next
morning would find him ready with
cartridges and gun.
He appeared by sun-up, and Doro-
thy was awaiting him with her own
favorite setter and her own brightly
POLISHED little shotgun. In hunting
boots, short skirt, and a brown Jacket,
whose large collar fell back over her
shoulders disclosing her round, white
throat, she was a veritable vision OF
the forest.
"As 1 live, but you do look stunning!"
was Owens comment as he gave her
a rapid survey. Another Diana ready
for the hunt!-but whether it be birds
or hearts, it's hard to say!"
She laughed merrily.
1.-The former, of course. sir!'' she de-
clared. "At evening with moonlight
setting, you know. is the proper time
for wounding hearts. This morning in
the bright sunshine cartridges are to-
be our only consideration; please re-
member this!"
Agreed" he said, his eye flashing
Look, your dog is Just crazy to be Off"
Then down the long slope they
went, and out into the fields. The au-
tumn sun was a dull, golden disk that
seemed to cast it's color over. the leaves
and the rudy fruit. AS they made
their way through an. orchard, Owen
stopped and throwing a stick up into
the boughs. brought down several hne
With evident relish Dorothy set her
sharn teeth into one of the largest OF
these The appeal of the picture was
too much for Owen, and he began to
quote something about the droWsy
winds that-fanned ga heart ripe as the
apples grown in orchard lands Of long
ago."
She stopped him with a disapproving
started out to do?' she asked,
Yes, to shoot BIRDS not to talk
She nodded. and they pushed out
into the open fields again. The setter,
hundred yards ahead, was already
standing covey' OF partrldges- Iney
Ready" he asked, raising his gun.
Ready" she answered. You take
those 90 on ;I the en if fIs rieht t9oA a 'O
Burr-burr-b burr! and a dozen part
ridges rose obliquely and sailed over
the fields.
Bang, bangl echoed his.
Two birls dropped, one in line of
OWENS fire, the other over to the
right. ,, .,a 1ouo+,,,,
''It's a hit and a miss for each of us!
He sprang forward, and as the dog
brought up the dead birds he dropped
them into the sack he carried. sud
denly a hundred feet in front OF him
a partridge that had become separated
from the others ran out of the grass
and f1uttered off toward clump OF
bushes on the hillside.
He lifted his gun to his shoulder and
pulled both triggers; but the bro con-
tinued in it's fight. Then behind him
flashed Dorothy's gun, and the part
ridge dropped like a spent rocket
At the same moment sharp. singing
pain ran through owens left hand. In
stinctively he Jerked 1t up--it was COW
cred with b1oodi
His face grew pale, for he thought
that a good part Of the leaden load had
struck him. He raised his arm and
the blood ran down down in a tiny PI I,1 let
reached for his handkerchief to stop
the crimson flow. He was conscious
that the girl was running up to him.
4Good heavens!" she gasped, her
face white as chalk as she saw the
blood. "Fve shot you, Owen"
"Tm afraid you have he said. "but
not seriously, guess"
In a second her hand had hold of
the handkerchief and she was wiping
"Oh, it's not very serious!" she
breathed joyfully. Look, it's only
grazed the back of your hand-that is
all, thank goodnessi'
T<e looked closer and saw that what
she said was true.
''But it must be bandaged at once"
she affirmed In deeply sympathetic
tones. I'VE must get to some water. |
Come. there's little spring just over
the hill"
durIleQly she LleQ a knOL the -ldilu-
kerchief and they went over the ridge
In the direction indicated. Once at
the spring she became alert. Remov
ing the handkerchief from owens
hand, she soaked it in the water and
then bathed the wound thoroughly.
The blood had ceased to flow and
there was little pain. In fact, the cool
water and the pressure of her hands |
were decidedly pleasant.
Then she wrung the water out of the |
and tied 1t neatly around