Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1910-12-14

HUNTERS GARB. the oak. Then he
flung himself at its trunk and stretch
ed his limbs upon the earth TO rest.
For q minute she studied the in
truder, debating in her mind the best
means of acquainting him with her
prior occupancy of that retreat. Sud
denly q spirit of mischief overcame
her, and she let fall an oak ball she
had plucked from nearby twig. The
small green globe struck the man
squarely on the head.
Instantly he sprang to his feet
caught up his rife and began peering
up through the live oaks branches.
"You can't challenge me that way
Mr.. Squirrel" he said, pointing the
rifle upward; mot with impunity."
Leila gave little cough. DOM
shoot me, please" she called down. 81
plead guilty"
She encountered pair of surprised
brown eyes looking up at her. Drop
ping his rifle to his side, the man lifted
his hat politely.
81 never shoot dryads," he answered
II suppose" she said, a smile hoy
ering on the lips, that you are per
fectly familiar with dryads."
Hardly" he answered, smiling VI
at her. II know very little except
they are said to live in trees. Are
the other live oaks in this canyon in
habited by your cousins|'
i,,ly Il, TIT hA 1pu
blue eyes. Possibly" she returned
''you know we have family trees"
do they all have turquoise eyes like
this one?" he asked.
A frown crossed the dryad's face
but the mans good natured playing
quickly banished it, and she said: "Oh
yes, and their color is beryl," lookina
at her sage-green sweater.
81 don't believe" he pursued, THAT
the woods would reveal another just
like you II one looked all day"
mot likely" she replied, continuing
the play, II think all my kind turned
into topaz when the forest became
petrified."
The dryad, thinking the play had pro
crossed quite far enough, made no an
swer. The man started toward the
spring, whistling. Suddenly he wheel
ed about and called back:
Miss Dryad, not being familiar Will
your code OF etiquette. ! hope Won wi
pardon me II l have seemed overprc
sumptuous. Having no cards with me
TIL intro6uca r,ycaIf l,y tallip0 Won
am the mining engineer from the Cop
per knight property. ] came over to
the mines to do some construction
work, but the men deserted me for 8
holiday, so in self defense | turned
nimrod and found a dryad"
From her leafy perch the dryad
watched the man as he went whistling
away over to the spring. There was
something in his half playful speech
and the easy swing of his gait that
seemed strangely familiar to her.
He was building fire between some
rocks when he called to her.
IF the dryad will look III show heI
how to cook game without pot or pan
An Indian guide showed me-" he ex
planned.
Over fire of dry bark and twigs he
fixed some green mesquite sticks t.
which the game was carefully sus
pended The aroma of the broiling
rabbits was sufficient to cause the
dryad to descend, for the ride across
the foothills had given her a vigorous
appetite.
81 will spread the table," she an,
nounced, spreading paper napkins over
smooth rock. Here are beef sand
witches, olives, cheese, crackers. fig
waters and one large apple" she con
tinued, taking the various articles
from her lunch bag and arranging them
on the improvised table.
"a feast fora dryad." said the man.
"And a nimrod," She added, meeting
the boyish smile on his face with con-
fidence. 1T will be unique Christ
mas dinner"
ut will be the most delightful one
ever eaten" recklessly declared the
man, deftly turning the broiling game.
When the game was done the two
sat down and ate together with no
constraint and with real congeniality.