The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-01-08
well; in fact. it's dead.

"Dead!" she exclaimed. "Well,
never. What did it die Off"
81 really don't know" | replied. II
died quite suddenly about week ago.
81 hope our Polly isn't going to fol-
low suit" she continued. "She has been
very dull and quiet the last few days,
but seems bit more lively this even
ing. l don't think she has spoken a
word all the week."
THANK goodness!"I inwardly ejacu-
lated.
Things were beginning to look bit
awkward, and cast about for some
thing to change the course of conversa-
ton. l am not a quick thinker, how
ever, and before could collect my wits,
Miss Travers continued:
Dear, dear, to think your poor Polly's
dead! Well, am sorry! sould be sorry
to lose you, Polly DEAR" she said, adj
dressing the parrot. But really, Capt.
Manley," looking me straight in the
face. Il can't make our Pollyout.
Sometimes | could almost believe she
d IL
seemed pleased to see me all the week
felt the blood rapidly rising to my
cheeks and forehead, but trusted to
my tanned complexion for it not to
show. feebly replied: Perhaps she's
moulting."
1t was an unlucky slip. We'll, now
l come to think" said Miss Travers, q
noticed that its tail looked much palel
after its bath the other morning. and
the water was quite red. Is that
sign of moultiug?"
YES, OFTEN used TO notice it about
ny own parrot"
But | thought your bird had no red
about it," she pursued.
"Confound the woman's persistence"
thought, but | stammered: 81 mean
that is to say-you see-I've noticed it
III all red parrots | have ever come
across. They shouldn't be bathed at
all, it injuries their constitution"
"Oh! thought you recommended it,"
she said.
So | had, dozens of times. only for
L
venient distinction on the spur of the
moment.
Miss Travers did not seem inclined to
pursue the subject further, much to
my satisfaction, and then there was
dead pause.
During the whole of our conversa-
ton the subject of it had not ceased
to continue its antics in the wire cage
Whether it was the sound of my voice
that caused it to be thus excited l do
not know, but at this opportunity it
burst in with Hi, hill"
was getting desperate, and could
think of nothing to change the subject;
and yet if l didn't say something |
was terribly afraid the parrot would.
A bicycle bell sounded down the
road.
"Are you thinking # getting BIZ
cycle, Miss Traverse" said.
mo, certainly not" she replied;
show can you ask such question:"
Another awful pause, during which
1 mopped the perspiration from my
brow.
"Ra-Ra-Rachel, love you'll" came
in clear tones from behind my back.
The wretched bird had caught the ex-
act tone of my voice.
Capt. Marley! Sir!" said Miss Trav-
ers, raising herself TO her full five feet
one and one-half inches. Ibid you ad
dress that remark to me, sir?"
had, however, utterly collapsed, and
burying my head in my hands, leaned
down on the little round table. Wheth-
er the sight of the poor old ship in dis
tress touched her tender heart don't
know, but she added, in softer tones:
"Ths is very unexpected, Capt. Man
ley"
l could hold out no longer
"Miss Rachel" cried, I'm a thun-
dering old hpyocrite. My parrot isn't
dead at all; there it is in that cage; it's
yours that's dead; shot it. | didn't
mean to. Can you forgive me for all
the lies | told your"
"All right! All right" said the sol
emn voice of the parrot behind me.
at was Polly that made that remark I
Just now, not |; but, believe me, she
speaks the truth, if don't Rachel.
do really love you"
l ventured to look up. Tears were
standing in her eyes, and the expression
OH her face made me hope that did not
look quite such big BOBBY in her eyes
as l felt did in my own.
Moving nearer, | clasped her hand.
and as it was not withdrawn, put one
arm gently round her ample waist.
"Now we shan't be long" said the
gray parrot.-Tit-Bits.