New-York tribune., 1921-02-06

in the Swamp"
81 was after deer" said Proutt,
and when Westlcy remained silent,
Proutt added huskily: $50 was
Reck."
Westley cried: "That's lie" But
his own voice sounded strange and
unnatural in his ears. He would not
believe. Yet, he knew that other
dogs had chased deer in the past
and would again. He had himself
shot half a dozen. It was the law;
and he was the instrument of the
law. And this was the very bitter
ness of Proutt's accusation, for if it
were true then he must shoot Reck.
And Westley would as soon have
shot one of his own blood as the dog
he loved.
WESLEY did not know whether
" to believe or not, but he knew
that he was terribly afraid. He
told Proutt, "That's a lie!" And
Proutt, after d long moment, clucked
to his horse and started on. West
ley called after him, "Wait!"
Proutt stopped his horse, and
Westley asked, What are you going
to do?"
you're game warden" Proutt
told him sullenly. "Nobody around
here can make you act, less'n you're
mind to. But I've told you what's
going on"
Westley was sweating in the cold,
and said pitifully; "Proutt, are you
surew
"Yes," said Proutt; and Westley
cried, ''What did you see?"
Il had deer marked, - said Proutt
slowly He'd been feeding under an
old apple tree down there. I was
there before day this morning, fgur-
ing to get shot at him Crep' in
quiet. Come day, [ couldn't see
him. But after a spell 1 heard
smashing in the brush, and he come
out through an open, and was away
before l could shoot. And hot after
him came Reck."
How far away?" Weatley asked.
Not more'n ten rod"
90 You couldn't be sure"
Damn it, man, I know Reck. Be
sides, wouldn't want to say it was
him, would 1? He grand dog
"What did you do:" Westley
asked.
yelled at him to come in."
did he stop?"
stopped for one look. and then
one jump into the brush and away
he went"
Westley was almost convinced; he
turned to call Reck, with some curl
Gus and half-formed notion that he
might catechize the dog himself. But
when he turned he found Reck at
his side, and the setter was standing
steadily, legs stiff and proud like
dog on show, eyes fixed on Proutt.
There was no guilt in his attitude,
nor was there accusation. There
was only steady pride and self-re-
spect, and Westley, at sight of him,
could not believe this damning thing.
He said slowly: "Look at him.
Proutt. If this were true, he'd be
ashamed and crawling. You saw
some other dog"
Proutt shook his head. "He's a
wise, bold dog, is Reck. Wise as
you and me. He'll face it out If he
cam"
Westley pulled himself together,
dropping one hand on Reck's head.
i don't believe it, Proutt," he said.
But I'm going to make sure"
Il am sure" said Proutt. "You
can do as you please. But don't ask
me to keep my mouth shut. You
was quick enough to shoot Jackson's
dog when you caught her on that
doe"
81 know" said Westley, and his
face was white. ''I'll be as quick
with Reck, when I'm sure
You'll take pains not to get sure >"
Westley held his voice steady.
Did you ever have to call Reck off
of deer tracks?"
"No."
Then he's never been taught not
to run them?"
Neither had Jackson's dog"
What mean" said Westley sis
this. He doesn't know it's wrong to
run DEER
"That's no excuse"
I'm not excusing him.
Proutt swore. "Well, what are
you doing?"
I'm going to take him into the
Swamp and find DEER" said West
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