Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-06-11

IN The PINE WOOD
sy JOHN TRENT.

A scarlet tanagcr flashed through
the darkness OF the pine wood: there
came a shot that stopped il in midair
and sent il auttering 20 earth where il
lay very still.
Scott Clayton, dreaming idly on the
brown pine needles, leaped TO his feet
Mt sight Of the tragedy and with a cry
OF mingled anger and pity held the
dead bird in his hands.
There came the sound Of a gay whls.
tie and a girl stepped into view; she
wore a jaunty hunting costume Of nut
brown and a sun was tucked under
enc arm, over the other shoulder was
SiuRg a game bag She wore no hat.
The dark eyes searched the ground
ana discovered SCOTS tan shoes. In.
st2ntly the glance flew to his face and
then down again 10 the bird in his
hand.
All, YOU have found him." She
stepped forward with extended hand.
But Scott drew back a little and his
era! eyes expressed strong disapproval
OF the ialT huutTeSS.
1T was really you. them" be asked
i~ncTeduiolsly.
Why. Of course-is it so unusual
for a woman t hit the mark"
No. but ii seems extraordinary that
a woman should deliberately destroy
such a beautiful creature" Scott
strpEtd the scarlet OF the Hangers
wing.
She bit her lip ,houghtfully. My e1-
cuse IS 4 good Slc-you cannot deny
that. ! am collecting for the Grinnel
museum"
i beg your pardon" Scott laid the
dead bird III her outstrstched hand and
as he did SO a drop of blood. unnoticed
or the Scarle; feathers. stained her
hand. He took out a handkerchief and
would have removed the stain. but she
drew her hand quickly back and drop
ped TIE bird into her game bag.
Oh, | don't mind that-of course l
am accustomed to it" she said care
leSSly.
An uncomiort2bl bic silence had fallen
between them and Scott was on the
Point Of turning away TO his book and
his messy seat beneath the big PING
when there came a r~laintive call from
above him.
Scott lifted his glance to the tree
and saw the sober.hued dress of the
scarlet taHaser's mate. As he looked
the shot rang cut once more and then
the an ioUs mother bird had gone to
join her deed mate.
As the girl bent 20 pick the bird.
Scott's strong hand closed tightly on
her rounded wrist while ne snatched
the dsa2 unage. away with the other
hand. when he had dropped the bird
in The poke; 2t his loose coat he re-
Ieased her wrist and stepped back.
beg YOUR pardon, but it appeared
necessary under the circumstances"
How iare you?' she painted. How
dare you touch me-"
! have s~Pologized for the rudenesa
Il was necessary"
1t vas my bird brought it
down"
Il vas ny bird-you killed IT," was
his accusing answer
Your bird" she laughed ~scorrfully.
4 have explained &c you that | am a
collector for the Grinnel museum. |
wanted 4 pair OF scarlet tanagers and
;heir yoGng-I was to be well paid for
it-aRd | brought down the male bird
and this Il that you have taken from
is its mate. | have located the
been watching them for several days.
and now" she suddenly lost com
mand OF her voice and it trembIed
Glarmingly.
SCOTS grave eyes never left her
But they were my birds first" he
said gently. You see | am a student
of birds and these tanagers happen to
be one OF my charming studies. My
camera concealed there among the
brentwood has been trained on the
for TWO days. The book | am
writing is a plea for the lives OF our
birds-the pictures | am making will
only illustrate the book but will
be used in every schoolroom in the
country as a means to educate the
children in love and preservation OF
the lives OF our wild birds"
The girls face changed as she lis
tened TO his explanation. A wistful
look came into her dark eyes and her
lips Quivered so that she placed her
fingers against them.
\ am "ery sorry" she said In a low
tine. and without another word she
swiftly and disappeared down
the dark avenues Of pines.
Severa! days later, Scott Clayton,
tired and hot after a long tramp
through the woods in pursuit Of an
wood pigeon who persistently
refused TO pose before his camera,
came out on the edge OF a piney knoll
and discovered himself In a new coun-
try.
The woods ended here and before
HIN stretched the remains Of a fine
old plantation: an ancient orchard, un-
cultivated fields, a glimpse OF tumble
down negro quarters and amid tall