Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-03-06
HuntingW
Dorothy.
BY LITTELL M'cLUNG.



Dorothy was a sportswoman from
the tip OF her dainty pumps to the top
OF her aristocratic head. Never had
Owen Compton met girl In whom so
many delightful qualities were blend
ed
That dashIng creature known as "the
athletic glrl' he cordially disliked,
holding that young women were In
tended primarily for coy corners.
So. when introduced to Dorothy, he
felt sure he would not like her bit.
Handsome she undoubtedly was, and
qucenly, too. but with her queenllness
Dorothy was vlvaciousness itself. She
could ride with the skill Of "A cowboy
the widest pony that ever leaped n
fence. She could shoot like an ex-
pert and row like university oars
man.
And after galloping gayly over the
fields on one OF her papas most dan
gerous young horses she would come
into the drawing room and. with SYM
pathetic touch, play score Of old
time melodies surcharged with senti-
ment.
Before many moons Owen discover
I'd that with all her athletic propensi-
ties Dorothy was as tender natured
and as warm hearted as any girl who
breathcd 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 meT Owen replied that next
morning would find him ready with
cartridges and gun.
He appeared by sunup. and Dorothy
was awaiting him with her own favor
itc setter and her own brightly pol
ished little shotgun. In hunting boots.
short skirt and brown jacket, whose
large collar fell back over her shoul-
ders, disclosing her round. white
throat she was a veritable vision Of
the forest.
"As live, but you do look stun
ningr was Owens comment as he
gave her rapid survey. Another
Diana ready for the hunt, but whether
It be birds or hearts It's hard to say!"
She laughed merrlly.
"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
remember this"
agreed" he said, his eye flashing
back the challenge. Lets strike out
Look, your dog Is just crazy to be
or"
Then down the long slope they went
and out into the fields. The autumn
sun was dull, golden disk that
seemed to cast its color over the leaves
and the ruddy fruit. AS they made
their way through an orchard Owen
stopped and, throwing stick up into
the boughs. brought down several fine
apples.
With evident relish Dorothy set her
sharp 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 famed "a heart ripe as the
apples grown In orchard lands OF long
ago"
She stopped him with disapprov-
ing glance. do you remember what
we started out to do?" she asked.
eyes, TO shoot birds. not to talk SEN
tlment."
She nodded. and they pushed out
into the open fields again. The setter.
hundred yards ahead. was already
standing covey OF partridges. They
hurried up close.
"Ready?" he asked. raising his gun.
"Ready." she answered. you take
those on the left: I'll look after those
that fly up on the right"
Burr-burr-burr. and dozen par
trIdges rose obllquely and sailed over
the fields.
Bang, bang, spoke Dorothy's gun.
Bang. bang. echoed his.
Two birds dropped. one In line OF
owens fire. the other over to the
right.
"Honors are event. cried Dorothy.
"It's n 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. Sudden
~ n hundred feet In front OF him a
partridge that had become separated
from the others ran out Of the grass
and fluttered of toward clump Of
bushes ON the hillside.
lie lifted his gun to his shoulder aud
pulled both triggers. but the bird con
tinued ia its blight Then behind him
flashed Dorothy's gun. aud the par
fridge dropped like a spent rocket.
AT the same moment sharp. sting
Ing pain ran through Owens left hand.
InstInctlvcly he Jerked IL NJ. II was
covered with blood.
His face grew pale. for he thought
that good part Of the leaden load
had struck him. He raised his arm.
A.. a.I.....l ~ast Aasats tiny