The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1914-08-25
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IN THE PINE WOOD
BY JOHN TRENT.

scarlet tanager flashed through
the darkness of the pine wood; there
came a shot that stopped It in midair
and sent it fiuttering to earth where it
lay very still.
Scott Clayton, dreaming idly on the
brown pine needles, leaped to his feet
at sight OF the tragedy and with a CRY
OF mingled anger and pity held the
dead bird In his hands.
T.sre came the sound of a gay whis-
the and a girl stepped into view; she
wore 5aunty hunting costume Of nut
Drown and a gun was tucked under
one arm; over the other shoulder was
sfung game bag. She wore no hat.
The dark eyes searched the ground
and discovered SCOTS tan shoes. In
stantly the glance few to his face and
then down again to the bird in his
hand.
All, you have found him?'' She
stepped forward with extended hand.
But Scott drew back little and his
gray eyes expressed strong disapprovai
OF the fair huntress.
1T was really you, them" he asked
fncredulously.
why OF course-is it so unusual
for a woman to hit the markT"
No, but 1t seems extraordinary that
woman should deliberately destroy
such a beautiful creature" Scott
stroked the scarlet of the tanager's
wing.
A red flush stained the creamy skin.
Why not, since men have set the
example?" she fiared-
One expects acts of wanton cruelty
from some men, but from women
none at ALL" was his quiet answer.
She bit her lip thoughtfully. my ex-
cuse Is a good one-you cannot deny
that I am collecting for the Grinnel
museum"
7 beg your pardon" Scott laid the
dead bird in her outstretched hand and
as he did 30 drop of blood, unnoticed
on the scarlet 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 the bird into her game bag.
"Oh. / don't mind that-of course l
am accustomed to It'll" she said care
lessly, but Scott noted that she shud-
dered little beneath her armor of
hardihood.
An uncomfortable silence had fallen
hnfWnnp
point OF turning away to his book and
his messy seat beneath the big pine
when there came q plaintive call from
above him.
The girl heard 1t at the same time.
Scott lifted his glance to the tree
and saw the sober-hued dress of the
scarlet tanager's mate. AS he looked
the shot rang out once more and then
the anxious mother bird had gone to
Join her dead mate.
AS the girl bent to pick the bird,
SCOTS strong hand closed tightly on
her rounded wrist while he snatched
the dead tanager away with the other
hand When he had dropped the bird
in the pocket OF his loose coat he re-
leased her wrist and stepped back
Il beg your pardon. but it appeared
necessary under the circumstances"
Her face was white as snow and her
eyes blazed angrily.
How dare your" she painted. How
dare you touch met"
Il have apologized for the rudeness
1t was necessary"
1T was my Bird brought it
down."
1T was my bird-you killed II" was
his accusing answer.
Your birdl" she laughed scornfully.
Il have explained to you that am a
collector for the Grinnel museum. 1
wanted a pair of scarlet tanagers and
their young-I was to be well paid for
it-and l brought down the male bird
and this one that you have taken from
me Is its mate. l have located the
nest with the young-and well, have
been watching them for several days,
and now" she suddenly lost COM
mand of her voice and It trembled
alarmingly.
Scott's grave eyes never left her
face.
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
brushwood has been trained on the
tree for two days. The book l am
writing is plea for the lives of our
birds-the pictures l am making will
not 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.
Il am very sorry" she said in a low
tone, and without another word she
turned swiftly and disappeared down
the dark avenues of pines.
Several days later, Scott Clayton,
tired and hot after a long tramp
through the woods in pursuit Of an
elusive wood pigeon who persistently
refused to pose before his camera,
came out on the edge of piney knoll
and discovered himself in a new coun-
try.
The woods ended here and before
him stretched the remains of a fine
old plantation; an ancient orchard, un-
cultivated fields, a glimpse OF tumble
down negro quarters and amid tall
oaks could be seen the chimney OF a
house.
AT least can get drink of water"
unused Scott as he hid his camera
among some vines and slid down the
pine needles into the orchard.
The way through the orchard led
among tall grasses and wild tangle
Of strawberry vines At last he came
to a small and thriving kitchen garden
and walking between rows of sweet
corn he came TO a tumbledown de-
tached kitchen.