The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-09-21

n hOIc uIu you Ouy Ohlo Dliu Nhi'
i Philton?" said the lady to me.
/ hesitated, but made virtue of
boldness: From an old acquaintance
OF mine,' l said; she is a splendid lin
guist."
Just now she seems to think silence
is golden" said Mrs. Dynley, with a
4 litter. And the parrot gave screech
4 that set all ones nerves on edge, and
4 called out, I'm warm yer!' a phrase,
II suppose, picked up from the mater
| nal endearments of her former locality.
".
Poor Polly" as Mrs. Hillstone af-
fectionately called her, did not for
some days add any thing to the vulgar
remark which is just chronicled, and
she and Alice were untiring in their
efforts to make her talk, but she said
nothing and showed a vile temper.
s"Do you know" said Alice, with
,icharming sympathy. Il begin to think
you've been imposed on, Mr.. Philton,
by that wicked bird fancier; but" with
a smile that was enchanting, whether
or not, l think it so kind of you to
please poor mamma so.
l took my courage in both hands,
though a thrill of fear ran through me
at her first words. "Ah, Alice" |
said tenderly, don't you think I'd do
any thing to please her, if it pleased
v0u."
Sfv~'N' 'shedf not displssssd- aud Let.
'be retain her hand a moment. n
wAh,' went on, Il might tell you all
l feI-you have long been the only
though for"
"MrsRuggle," said Yates, throwing
open te drawing room door, and in
came tat lout with a grin as he saw
me droAAlice's hand and spoiled our
tete-a-tee. She greeted him in her
usual stdely fashion, and much more
friendly han necessary, as l thought;
and, by tie way, remembered at that
moment Ter once saying she liked him
despite his want of polish, for he was
$50 genuile." So he was-a genuine
cub in society, whatever he was in the
Poultry.
"And how's the wonderful Polly?"
said he after few minutes to my great
annoyance.
She still holds her tongue" said
Alice, as her mother entered.
YES" sad the poor old lady, "she
is very naughty bird. But that's not
Mr.. Philton's fault, is it Polly??"
Dear me-" said that football fend
with sham commisseration; ''it's rather
hard on you, Philton. Twenty pounds
you gave, think you said?'
Il did say so, Mr.. Ruggle," an
swered, coldly, and, thought l, that $
a correct answer anyhow"
'Have you seen Mrs. Dynley's par
| rot, Mrs. Hillstone?" he said, with an
equal amount Of sham enthusiasm.
No." said she, tartly, land l don't
want to-" much to my inward relief.
"Ah!' said Ruggle, "she's splen-
did bird, talks French and English,
and sings songs; you ought to see her. "
| i really don't know which 1 most
wished to murder, Ruggle, that &C
! cuFsed bird moping on his perch, or
wretch at Bethual Green. AT
Ile$St he promised me bird that could
talk for my two pounds. But l dis
sembled and sat Ruggle out. When he
had gone | saw, much to my regret,
that the poison had begun to work on
Mrs. H., who began to show her envy
of Mrs. Dynley, though vowing she
wouldn't please her by going to see
her parrot. Soon she left the room,
and l took up the running again.
Alice, think, pitied me for my dis
appointment, and was proportionately
charming. At last got so far as to
actually tell her loved her and she
babe me wait a week for an answer,
though from her blush and smile
had not much doubt as to what her
answer would be.
..In week then, dearest may hope
for your answer I'm going to East
bourne to see my cousins for that time,
and then--O, Alice! Ihope you Il make
me happy" l said as | pressed her
hand and went away. As closed the
door Polly screeched out again, 'I'll
warm YER"
did not go to Eastbourne, nor ever
meant to, for l hate my cousins, but il
sounded we'll. But l stayed away
from Bloomsbury. A night or two
later [ was dining at well-knowr
restaurant, when Mr.. Dynley, who had
got rid of his wife for a few hours
came in and sat at the next table. We
got into conversation.
'.Do you know" said he. 'our par
rot is a wonder? Everybody admire'
her. She was we'll worth the money
} gave"
II thought" said I with hideou
forebodings, your wife had hers as ;
xift from an amateur"
.'Ah." said he smiling, ''that was I
! little ruse. My cousin Jim, poor fell
: low, is not in her good books, so by
4 buying the bird and giving it to hin
S to present to my wife I've bettered hi
position. But l bought her in Bethna
' Green for EGO, just what you gave fol
l yours"