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

NQz, Might a99i1 !. S Sss
No, cont shoot It," watch itY'
She seated herself soundlessly among
the dead leaves He sank into place
beside her, laying his gun aside
Rather rough on the dog" he. said,
with grimace.
II know. 1t is very good of you, Mr.,
Siward. to do this for my pleasure.
Oh-hi Do you see? Oh, the little
beautyr
The woodcock had risen, plumage
puffed out, strutting with wings bowed
and tail spread, facing the dog The
sudden pygmy defiance thrilled her.
Brave, brave" she exclaimed, en-
raptured, but at the sound of her voice
the bird crouched like a fash, large
dark liquid eyes shining, long bill
pointed straight toward them
Hell fly the way his bill points"
said Siward Watch"
He rose. She sprang lightly to her
haE There came q whirring 6utter, a
iwittering shower of sweet notes, soft
wings beating almost In their very
faces, a distant shadow against the
sky, and the woodcock was gone.
Quieting the astounded dog, gun
Graded In the hollow of his left arm,
he turned t. the girl beside him. THAT
sort Of thing wins no cups" he said.
cit wins something else, Mr.. ST.
ward-my very warm regard for YOU"
There is no choice between that and
the Shotover cup" he admitted, con-
sidering her.
lido you mean itP
"Of course dol"
"Then you are much nicer than
thought you. And, after all, II the
price Of cup Is the life of that brave
little bird l had rather shoot clay
pigeons. Now you will scorn me, l
suppose. Begin"
my ideal woman has never been a
life taker," he said coolly. "Once
when / was boz there was a girl,
vary lovely, my first sweetheart.
saw her at the traps once just after
she had killed her seventh pigeon
straight, pulling 1t down from over
head, you know, very cle-er. The lit
tie thing was breathing on the grass. |
ana II maze s0uhus"- lie shrugged |
and walked on. "She killed her TWEEN I
ty-first bird straight. 1t was hand !,
some cup too"
And after a silence, $50 you didn't |
love her any more, Mr. Siward T"
mOckingly sweet.
They lau, he'd, and at the sound of
laughter the tall stemmed alders echo
ed with the rushing roar of a cock
grouse laundering skyward. Crack!
Crack! Whirling over and over through
cloud of floating feathers, a heavy
weight struck the sprlngy earth. There
ay the big notified bird, splendid silky
'uffs spread. dead eyes closing, a sim
gle tiny crimson bead twinkling like
'uby on the gaping beak. /,
"Dead!' said Siward to the dog who
lad dropped to shot. Fetch" And,
ignaling the boy behind, he relieved
he dog of his burden and tossed the ,
lead weight Of ruffied plumage to- !
yard him. Then he broke his gun,
nd as the empty shells few rafting q
ackward slipped In fresh cartridges,
ocked the barrels and walked for
Yard, the flush Of excitement still /
tanning his sunburned face.
You del death mercifully," said
he girl in a low voice. II wonder
that your l-devant sweetheart would
link of you"
"A hunger had better stick to the
APPS" he scented, ignoring the badI
age.
II am wondering" she said thought
lily, "wha | think Of men who kill"
He turned sharply, hesitated, shrug-
I'd. wild things lives are brief ut
'st-fox or flying tick, wet nests or
ink, owl, hawk, weasel or man. But
e death man deals is the most mer-
full. Beslles," he added, laughing,
urs is nol a case Of sweethearts."
my argument is purely In the alb
ract, Mr.. Siward. | am asking you
neither the death men deal is more
stihable than q womans gift of y
ath."
oh, well life taking, the giving OF s
e-there can be only ole answer to to
} mystery and cont know it." he er
,lied, smiling.
I do" su
Tell me, then, he said" still amused.