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

So they laid aside the guns and thi
guides gamesack. and formed a chail
with their hands. and. bearing the cir
between them. they waded out along
the driven alder stakes. knee deep n
brown water
Her arm. lightly resting around his
neck. frightened a trife as the water
rose 10 his thighs; then the faint pres
sure relaxed as they thrashed shore
ward through the shadows, ankle deep
once more and landed among the dry
reeds on the farther bank.
Miles, the keeper. went back for the
guns. Siward stamped about in the
sun, shaking the drops from water
proof breecles and CATERS, only to be
half drenched again when Sycamore
shook himself vigorously
81 suppose" said Sylvia, looking
sideways at Siward, your contempt
for my sporting accomplishments has
not decreased I'm sorry. don't
Ike to walk in wet shoes even to gain
your approval
And as the keeper came splashing
across the shadows: Miles, you may
carry my gun, l shall not need it any
longer"
The upward roar Of bevy Of grouse
drowned her voice. Poor Sycamore,
pointing madly in the blackberry thick
ct all unperceived cast a dismayed
glance aloft where the sunlit air quiv-
cred under the winnowing rush OF
heavy wings. Siward flung up his
gun, heading a big quartering bird.
Steadily the glitterlng barrels swept
In the arc of fire, hesitated, wavered,
then the possibility passed. The young
fellow lowered the gun slowly, grave
~, stood a moment motionless with
bent head until the rising color in his
face had faded
And that was all for awhile. The
and Disguised keeper stared
into the thicket. The dog lay CULVER
ing, impatient for signal. Sylvia's
heart, which had seemed to stop with |
her voice, silenced in the gusty thun- |
der Of heavy wings, began beating too
last. For the ringing crack Of gun
shot could have spoken no louder to
aer than the giittering silence OF the /
suspended barrels nor any promise Of
his voice sound as the startled stiffness
now about her, for he had
made something a tr1he more than
mere amends r0r ms rudeness. He
vas OVERRIDING everything little.
He stood on the thicket's edge, alb
Iently unloading the weapon, scarcely
what he had done and
What he had not done.
A moment later a far hail sounded
ky figures moved distantly.
"Alderdene and Marion Page" said
iward. II believe we lunch y0ndeF,
0 we not, Miles?"
They climbed the hill In silence, ar
wing after few minutes to find 9TH
IS already at luncheon-the Page
oys, eager, enthusiastic, recOunting
1venture by food and field; Rena
0nnesdel, tired and frankly bored and
with more than her share Of
Iud; Eileen Shannon, very pretty, very
fective, having done more execution
it'll her eyes than with the dainty .
wiling piece beside her.
Marion Page nodded to Sylvia and
ward with a crisp businesslike ques-
On or two, then went over to inspect
cir bag, nodding appreciation as
lies laid the game on the grass.
Eight full brace" she commented. =
We have FIVE and an odd cock pheasant I
from Black Fells, l suppose. The a
'ople to our left have been blazing d
way like Coney Island, but Rena's e
Tide says the ferns are full of rGb- Ii
is that way, and Major Belwether c
MT hit fur afoot. You," she added
ankly to Siward, sought to take the r
D. The birches ahead of you are /
Il of woodcOck. II you don't How
Quarter will. He's into flight Of
* snipe, hear"
,iwards eyes had suddenly narrow
then he laughed, patting Saga
,re's cheeks. Il don't believe shall G
aot very steadily this afternoon" he
d, turning toward the group at
lcheon under the trees. II wish
arrier well with the cup"
Nonsenser said Marion Page curt
"You are the cleansst shot ever
ew." And she raised her glass to al
q frankly and emptied 1t with the 20
cision characteristic of her: 'Your SO
j! With all my hearth ne
I also drink to your success, Mr.. 81 of
rd," said Sylvia in low voice, lift Of,
her champagne glass in the sun
It. ITO the Shotover cup-if you
h it." Sc
/ the little gust Of hand clapping pu
laughter he turned again to Sylvia m'
lingly, saying under his breath, WI
though winning the cup would Gel
lpensate me now for losing i'll" IN
lie leaned involuntarily nearer, "You
In that you will not try for itY' az
1es" uo'
That is not fair to meg' lig
Why not?" str
I do not ask Il of hin