"You shot him, Verty?"

Verty experienced,--he knew not why,--a feeling of extreme delight, on
hearing his name from her lips.

"Yes, I did so, Redbud," he replied, confidentially, "and I cured him,
too. Look at him, up there on the roof, coo-cooing! He was sailing
over the town, and I sent an arrow after him, and brought him straight
down."

"Oh, Verty! how cruel!"

"I never would 'a shot him if I had seen the name on his neck."

"The name--yes--"

"Yours, Redbud. There was a piece of paper, and on it--but here's the
paper."

And Verty took from his bosom the yellow scroll, and placed it in
Redbud's hand.

She took it, smiling, and read the words--"I am Miss Redbud's pigeon,
and Fanny gave me to her."

"Oh, yes," she said, "and I am glad he's come back; poor fellow, I
hav'nt seen him for days!"

"I had him," said Verty.