The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1889-09-26

subject. for I had my suspicious, and
they we're sOon changed to certainty.
Where does Mr.. Dynley lvep' I
asked Of my neighbor, prettyish In
sipid girl. who went regularly to the
museum to copy casts.
''In Russell square. Mrs. Dynley is
great friend OF ours" she answered,
she is so fond OF BIRDS"
just what thought! Russell square
that truculent bird fancier had said.
or course there are more parrots than
one, but much smaller proportion of
fools who would give twenty pounds
for one. It might not be the same, but
1 shrewdly surmised it was. But after
all. who was to know any thing? Only
remembered with some misgivings
that my fair Alice had most abnormal
attachment to candor. and had over
and over again apropos des bottles
declared she could forgive any thing
rather than deceit. My little stratagem
of course did not deserve that name,
but after asserting I had paid twenty
pounds for specific bird of the first
water, it would certainly be most an
noying if it turned out by any mishap
that the real transaction came to light.
At this moment heard Mrs. Dynley,
who had a masculine voice. we'll assort-
ing with the rule she exercised over
her husband, asserting that her parrot,
sent her by a friend, who was an
amateur fancier q breathed freely
again), was wonderful bird. To
whom Mrs. Hillstone replied, smiling
broadly:
"Ah! my poor Polly is as charming
its a famous bird-and I shall al
ways thank Mr. Philton for having
given it to me. Yates. bring it in"
yates was a page of preternatural
precocity. and much trusted by the old
LADY,, ''ani let US hear it talk"
We were in the dessert stage now,
and the wine. l must say. was really
very superior to that a good deal farther
West, SO that the assembled company
were in a leisurely and appreciative
mood. Young Ruggle smiled sarcas-
tically when Mr. Hillstone wasn't
looking. and Alice him and flashed
one scornful glance him which much
delighted me. For had a sort of q
notion that he had an idea of trying to
win that exquisite girl, and he was GER
tainly richer (and we'll he might be,
grubbing over some business about
sugar from morn till nightly than /.
His chief diversion was foot bali, a
rough. laundering pursuit which alb
horred, as mine was billiards, when
pool of fellows with a few sovereigns
about them can be made. But this is di-
gression, only mention it to show how
very antipathetic we were, for he had
a blunt style of conversation which he
called honesty as he called diplom-
acy "trickery," 80 that we loved each
other like couple of rival terriers.
In marched Yates, the big cage in
his hand. which he placed near his
mistress chair. '.Poor Polly" said
Mrs. H. soothingly. running her finger
over the wires, which Polly with great
agility made a spring at, with the evil
dentintention of biting as uncompromis-
ingly as she could. Poor Polly" re-
peated the old lady caressingly, while
Polly sat with glittering eyes fixed on
her, but deigned no response. "She does
not seem very loquacious,' was heard
in Mrs. Dynley's contralto tones. Alice
looked vexed, and Mrs. Hillstone
looked at Mrs. Dynley somewhat acid
ly, while Dynley himself drank his port
surreptitiously, glad that his wife's
eyes were off him for the time and on
his hostess.
Where did you buy this bird, Mr..
Philton?" said the lady to me.
I hesitated, but made virtue of
boldness: "From an old acquaintance
of NINE" l said; she is a splendid lin
guist.''
''Just now she seems to think silence
is golden" said Mrs. Dynley, with a
litter. And the parrot gave screech
that set all ones nerves on edge, and
called out, "I'll warm yer!' phrase,
I 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 vile temper.
DO you know said Alice, with
charming sympathy. Il begin to think
you've been imposed on, Mr.. Philton,
by that wicked bird fancier; but,' with
smile that was enchanting, whether
or not, think it so kind of you to
please poor mamma So"
took my courage in both hands,
though thrill of fear ran through me
at her first words. "Ah, Alice" I
said tenderly, don't you think I'd do
any thing to please her, if it pleased
you."
She blushed, not displeased, and let
me retain her hand q moment. IL
wish,' 1 went on, Il might tell you all
lfeel-you have long been the only
thought 1Or--
MIR. Ruggle," said Yates, throwing
open the drawing room door, and in
came that lout with grin as he saw
} me drop Alice's hand and spoiled our
tete-a-tete. She greeted him in her
usual stately fashion, and much more
friendly than necessary, as thought;
and, by the way, remembered at that
moment her once saying she liked him
, despite his want of polish, for he was
$50 genuine So he was-a genuine
, cub in society, whatever he was in the
Poultry.
'.And how's the wonderful Pollyp''
, said he after few minutes to my great
annoyance.
''She still holds her tongue sale