Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-02-18

indoors 10 get MS supply VI HeCeSSdrles
for the evening, and, turning to me,
Miss Travers commenced:
"By-the-by, Capt. Manley, how is
your parrot2 L have not seen it out in
the garden lately"
I felt my heart beating @ bit faster,
but with every semblance of outward
calm, said:
"No-the fact is, it's not been at all
we'll; in fact, it's dead"
"Deadl'' she exclaimed. well, l
never. What did it die Off"
81 really don't know" l replied. ut
died quite suddenly about n 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. 1 don't think she has spoken a
word all the week"
"Thank goodnessl"I inwardly ejacu-
lated.
Things were beginning to look bit
awkward, and I cast about for some
thing to change the course Of conversa-
ton. am not quick thinker, how
ever, and before I could collect my wits,
Miss Travers continues:
"Dear, dear, to think your poor Polly's
deadl Well, am sorry! sould be sorry
to lose you, Polly DEAR" she said, adj
dressing the parrot. But really, Capt
Marley" looking me straight in the
face, "I can't make our Pollyout.
Sometimes I could almost believe she
was q different bird. She hasn't once
seemed pleased to see me all the week"
I felt the blood rapidly rising to my
checks and forehead, but trusted to
my tanned complexion for it not to
show. 1 feebly replied: Perhaps she's
moulting."
1t was an unlucky slip. well, now
I come to think" said Miss Travers, 81
noticed that it's tail looked much paler
after its bath the other morning, and
the water was quite red. Is that a
sign of moulting?"
eyes, often used to notice it about
my own parrot"
"But I thought your bird had no rcd
about it," she pursued.
"Confound the woman's persistence"
1 thought, but stammered: 81 mean
that is to say-you see-IYe noticed it
In all red parrots 1 have ever come
across. They shouldn't be bathed at
all, it Injuries their constitution"
"Oh!.I thought you recommended it"
she said.
So I had, dozens of times. "Only for
the gray ones,"I said, forming q con-
vcnient 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 q
dead pause.
During the whole Of our conyersa-
ton the subject of it had not ceased
to continue it's antics in the wire cage.
Whether it was the sound of my voice
that caused it to be thus excited do
not know, but at this opportunity it
burst in with eli, hill"
I was getting desperate, and could
think of nothing to change the subject;
and yet if I didn't say something !
was terribly afraid the parrot would.
A bicycle bell sounded down the
road.
care you thinking of getting a BIZ
cycle, Miss Traverse" I said.
mo, certainly not" she replied;
show can you ask such question:"
Another awful pause, during which
I 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 Manleyl Sir!" said Miss Trav-
ers, raising herself to her full five feet
one and ope-half inches "Did you adj
dress that remark to me, sir?'
I 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:
"This is very unexpected, Capt. Man
ley"
Icould hold out no longer
'AIiss Rachel" cried, I'm thun-
dering old hpyocrite. My parrot isn't
dead at all; there it is in that cage; it's
yours that's dead; l shot it. l didn't
mean to. Can you forgive me for all
the lies 1 told your"
"All right! All right" said the SOL
emn voice of the parrot behind me.
at was Polly that made that remark
just now, not I; but, believe me, she
speaks the truth, if don't. Rachel, |
do really love you"
I ventured to look up. Tears were
standing in her eyes, and the expression
oil her face made me hope that did not
look quite such big BOBBY in her eyes
as felt did in my own.
Moving nearer, I 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.-Tt-Bits.