Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1893-09-21
A FRIEND AT COURT.

you, Robert-my ow.l dear Polly" and
as pretty AIillie Fanshaw bent once
more to caress her pet, who was perch
ed contidngly on Bob's arm, her plump,
round cheek was so temptingly near
his face that, as he often declared
afterward, it was mystery to him how
he ever refrained from slipping his dis
engaged arm around her waist. and
making her check still more rosy by
an impctuous kiss. But Bob, beside
being Il dittident young fellow, and by
no means assured that Millie favored
him to any greater etent than
she did the half score Of other beauS
who We're only too glad to avail tnem-
selves of every possible opportunity to
bask i'll the light CT her Smiles had
some old-fashioned notions Of honor
that are unfortunately rather rare now
adays, and which restrained him from
taking IN advantage which some other
young men in his position would have
considered not only eNcusablc, but quite
commcndahlc. But although his breath
came quick, and his heart thrObbed with
eager desire, she standing there in such
tempting proximity, was in her sweet
innocent girlhood as far removed from
any prcsumptuous touch or familiarity
Of his, as if there had been leagues be-
tween them, and he contcnted himself
with laying Il caressing hand on Polls
glossy plumagc, and answering in
voice not quite so steady as usual:
Indeed, l will take the very best care
Of her, Miss Mile! She sha'n't want
| for anything"
I'm sure Of that, Robert. And she
like home to her. 1t isn't as though l
it's awful good of you to be willing to
be bothered with her for five whole
weeks"
Bothered with her! AS if anything
that she owned or valued could be any
thing but Il welcome charge to him,
no matter how much labor. anxiety or
sacrifice its care might have entailcd.
He wanted to tell her this-to let it
| ulA OuC Ill ollC SsiNHAAA VI
eloquence; but she stood there with
that air Of perfect confidence which
long acquaintance had engendered and
at the same time with such apparent
,lnsuspiciousness of any such sentiment
in his mind that he could not bring
himself to disturb her perfect serenity;
and crushing back sigh. he said:
She'll be no bother at all, Miss Millie.
| NOI1-yO1 don't think yOn1l stay LONGER
than five weeks, do YOU"
II don't know-mayba" and Millie
flashed an arch glance at him as she
turned away. But if you get tired Of
Polly, you can send her over to Susie
Green-she offered to take care of her,
only l rather fancied having you do it,
as you were nearest. Good-by You dear
old love!" this last adiuration, it is
needless to explain, was addressed to
the parrot, and was accompanied with
Il kiss from the tips of her fingers.
II must hurry back. or the folks will
think l am lost The train is due in
an hour, and We, have just time to get
comfortably to the depot and with 4
farewell wave of her hand to Bob
this time. she trippeh away, leaving him
gazing after her with all the Dent-up
love and passion shining in his eyes.
Five whole weeks, Polly he MUIR
INJURED, once more caressing the bird s
plumy crest. How shall we ever
get along without her-you and l."
Pretty Polly!-pretty Polly! I'm a
beauty-Tm Il beauty responded the
bird promptly.
Il know you are" said Bob, smiling
sadly. Anything would be beautiful
to me that she had loved and fondled-
bless her! Will she ever know how
1 love her, wonder? Or will some
other man with a holder tongue and u
reader wit win her from me?"
Polly want a crackers" suggested the
bird, with an evident absorption in her
own comfort: and carrying his charge
indoors, Bob soon had her feasting to
her hearts content.
But those were happy weeks, albeit
lonely ones, for each one brought a let
ter from NIillie. full of solicitous in
quiries about her dear pet" until at
last came the one that announced her
return home. Poor Bob would not have
liked any one to know the foolish
things he did and said that day, but
when the hour drew near, he dressed
himself in his best, put around Polly's
neck the ribbon he had bought, SO that
her dear little hands might touch some
thing that he had placed there, even
though she took it off and threw it
away the next minute, and then sta
toned himself at the gate to watch
for the carriage. 1t came in sight at
last; Polly deserted her young mistress
wfcse bright face was thrust eagerly
out Of the carriage, and gave 4 raptnous
scream; and in a moment C.e. N1illie
had alighted and was flying forward
to greet her pet.
"Oh, how beautiful she looks! how
well you have kept her. never can
thank you half enough" she exclaimed,
in hutter of delight and animation
that was something unusual even for
her, while if Bob had only been sharp
or conceited enough to notice it, her
eyes rested full as often on his face
as they did on the bird that was now
on her hand, and responding to her
caresses in her own fashion. 80 good
of you to answer every one of my let
tiers to let me know that dear Poll was
well. You'll come in and see us by and
1