Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-08-01
BOOK III-THE FLOWER.
CHAPTER II-continued.

and yet look pretty as b picture. ASA
iaunty little hunting hat was tipped
with an eagles feather. She wore
brown sweater of the finest heavy wool
over her jacket The corduroy skirt
came to the knees, and she had on the
most remarkable pair of wading boots
he had ever seen. They were made OF
brown cloth-covered rubber and cut
to the shape of the leg like the old
fashioned leather boots of ancient
knights.
Stuart helped her down the gang
way and took his seat by her side In
the tender. In five minutes they were
towed to the blind the old guide had
selected for the days shooting
The blinds are made of cedar bushes
stuck into the mud in such way that
the little cunning boat just fits inside.
When the tide ebbs enough for the
ducks to reach bottom they come in to
feed on their favorite wild celery.
The guide took the tender to keep
the ducks moving and left them alone.
He had scarcely gone when a pair
of black ducks started for the decoys.
Just as they were about to settle, in
spite Of Stuarts warning, Nan popped
her head over the bushes to see where
they were.
Quick as a flash they leaped hun
dred feet into the air and left for parts
unknown at the rate of a hundred miles
an hour.
That's great!" Stuart cried, in dis
gust.
I'm sorry, Jim," she said, contrite-
ly. II won't do it again. But, you
know, I'm glad they got away after
ALL"
"Yes?"
Because they were mates; didn't
YOU see the beautiful colors on the
drake's head? And what a yell he
gave to his girl when he saw me?
Aren't you really glad they got away?"
81 am mott" he answered, emphati-
cally. Don't you dare to do that
again"
Il won't, honest. I'll kill the next
one myself. Tell me just when to get
up; I'll shoot him just like do a clay
pigeon at the trap, without sighting.
just by instinct"
Exactly, but please remember you
are not shooting clay pigeons. A duck
has an eye that can see the movement
of your hand three miles away, re-
member that-keep your head down,
there comes one now!"
"Where?"
Ssh! keep down, tell you!"
"I am-but where, which side, where
is he?"
Again Mans big eyes slowly peered
over the top of the blind and the ca
gle's feather in her hat moved.
With a sharp cry the duck swung
out of range and was gone.
"Oh, Jim, l didn't do that. l declare
l didn't move! He squawked just for
nothing and flew away"
Yes. of course, he dreamed he saw
an eagle after him. Ducks often go to
sleep flying and have nightmares"
II won't do it again, please don't
get cross now" She laid her hand on
his. He smiled and said nothing.
You're not angry, Jim?" she asked,
peeping around shyly. She was sitting
i'm the front of the boat with her back
toward him.
How could any man get angry at
such a wonderful shot. You never
cripple them, they just drop at the
crack of your gun. l think, however,
they die of fright We will know to-
night when we eat them for dinner
whether the shot killed them or you
Just scared them to death"
Don't be nasty, Jim I'll let you shoot
the very next one. I won't move"
She had scarcely spoken when
Stuart seized her arm with sudden
fierce grip.
"Sh-now, as still as DEATH" he
whispered. Don't you dare move or
speak or whisper, or breathe aloud"
II WON'T" Nan groaned, crouching
low.
He's circling the blind, but he's
coming in sure" he whispered.
Just then the live decoy goose raised
his head, saw his friend in the air, and
broke into a shrill cry that rang like
a trumpet over the smooth waters OF
the bay.
Nan sprang to her feet crying:
It's a goose!"
Yes, two of them, one right here in
the blind!" Stuart laughed.
NO, no! There he goes, Jim!
Look, isn't he a big one?"
"A very fine goose, but not nearly
so plump and nice as the one we have
here"
Nan looked puzzled moment, blush
ed and sat down.
Jim, think you're awfully mean.
He was going the other way when
saw him. l didn't scare him. You
know l didn't.
Certainly mott" was the scornful
answer. He just turned around and
went back to pick up a feather he
dropped. He'll call again some day
Nan peeped around to see if he were
angry. deliberately rose, turned and
sat down on the bow of the boat facing
Stuart, smiling at him, mschievously.
Let's not shoot today, JIM" she
pleaded.
I'VE won't" he answered, dryly.
You know think this blind is such
a cute little house, with the blue sky
above and the STILL beautiful waters
stretching away into the mists around
us: isn't it,"
dangerously beautiful to mere NOR
tails. I'm afraid Nam" he answered
soberly.
Not if they are sensible, as you ana
|. Come, you can't be angry today.
I'm too happy. You don't really care
AnNfout ducks anyhow, do you? | want
N talk. I'm i'm fairylamd alone with
old sweetheart of my girlish
Irralns! And you're ten times better
1,uking than you were then, Jim"