Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-03-31

down the path of his own garden in his
dot and carry one style, and, seeing me
over the fence, he CRIED
"Hello, captain! You're quite stran-
ger. What's been, upp Rachel has been
talking about coming in to inquire after
your health, as she was afraid something
must be wrong"
eyes, have been a bit poorly" said 1.
Oh, how easily the words slipped out, al
| though had been as right as ninepence
why that particular sum should be en-
dued with more rectitude than its fellows
| have never been able to discoyer--this by
the way.
| IA bit Of cold, perhaps" said Captain
| Travers. "Well, come over the fence and
| have dish of tea in the summer house,
and Rachel shall come in afterward and
make you good glass of something stiff
for a nightcap."
I inwardly tremhled, but l knew that
sooner or later the plunge would have to
be made, SO put as good face on the
matter as l could and promised to be
there.
Punctually at o'clock I donned my
| sprucest attire and with smart flower in
| my buttonhole-gay dog that was-slip-
ped over the fence. Miss Rachel was there,
looking as fresh as spring cabbage with
| the dew on it--which I consider a very
| pretty simile-and she babe me welcome
with one of her beaming smiles There,
too, was the unlucky parrot in its cage
and standing just outside the summer
house. had noticed that 1t had been set
out to sun itself as usual on all fine days,
Co. 4 1oI
transpired to make me think they had any
cause to suspect my imposition.
1 purposely sat with my back to it and
avoided taking notice of it in any way
whatever.
Tea went off all right. My old friend
was very CHEEKY, and Miss Rachel showed
me great attention. could hear Polly
rubbing her beak up and down the wires
of the cage and swinging backward and
forward in the metal ring.
After the meal Captain Travers went
indoors to get his supply of necessaries for
| the evening and turning to me Miss Tray
| ers commenced:
"By the bye Captain Marley, how Is
your parrotS have not seen 1T out in the
| garden lately"
/ felt my heart beating bit faster, but
with every semblance of outward calm I
| said
"No-the fact is, it's not been at all
we'll. In fact, it's dead"
"Dead!' she exclaimed. "well, 1 never.
What did 1t die of?'
II really don't know" I replied. "It
died quite suddenly about week ago."
II hope our Polly isn't going to follow
suit" she continued. "She has been very
| dull and quiet the last few days, but seems
a bit more lively this evening. don't
think she has spoken word all the week. I"
"Thank goodness" inwardly ejacu-
lated.
Things were beginning to look q bit
awkward and cast about for something
to change the course Of conversation.
am not quick thinker, however, and be-
| fore / could collect my wits Miss Travers
continued;
| "Dear, dear, to think your poor Polly 3
dead! Well, am sorry. should he sorry
to lose you, Polly, DEAR she said, adj
dressing the parrot "But really, Captain
Manley," looking me straight in the face,
II can't make our Polly out Sometimes
could almost believe she was a different
| bird She hasn't once seemed pleased to
see me all the week. :"
I 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 noting
1t was all unlucky slip swell, now
come to think said Miss Travers, ~ no.
ticed that its tail looked much paler after
it's bath the other morning, and the water
70 rod Tc hot sio IF HOW
molting?"
Things were getting serious; but, feeling
might as well be hung for sheep as a
lamb said, with the profoundest look Of
knowledge that could assume at so short
a notice:
Eyes, often used to notice it about my
own parrot.
But thought your bird had no red
about IT., she pursued.
"Confound the woman's persistenoe!"
thought but 1 stammered: II mean
that is to say--you see, I've noticed 1t in
all red parrots l have ever come across.
They shouldn't be bathed at all. 1t IN
jures their constitution
"Oh, thought you recommended It'll"
| she said.
So ] had dozens of times. "Only for
the gray ones" said, forming conven-
| lent distinction on the spur Of the moment.
Miss Trayers did not seem inclined to
pursue the subject further, much to my
satisfaction, and then there was dead
pause.
During the whole of our conversation
the subject Of it had not ceased to continue
it's antics in the wire cage. Whether 1T
l a.
| to be thus excited, do not know, but at
this opportunity it burst in with Hi, hip
was getting desperate and could think
of nothing to change tho subject, and yet
If didn't say something was terribly
afraid the parrot would.
| A bicycle bell sounded down the road.
'Are you thinking Of getting bicycle,
Miss Travers?" said.
"No, certainly not, she replied. How
can you ask such question:"
| Another awful pause, during which
mopped the perspiration from my brow.
"Ra-R Rachel, love you" came In
clear tones from behind my back. The
wretched bird had even caught the exact
tone Of my voice.
Captain Manley SirP' said Miss
Travers, raising herself to her full height
of feet IN inches odd you address
that remark to me, STRIP
had, however, utterly collapsed, and
burying my head in my hands / leaned
down on the little round table. Whether
the sight Of poor old ship in distress
touched her tender heart, don't know
but she added in softer tones:
"This is very unexpected, Captain Mall
ley"
could hold out no longer.
"Miss Rachel, cried, II am thun-
tering old hypocrite. My parrot isn't dead
at ALL There it is in that cage It's yours
that's dead. shot 1t. didn't mean to.
Can you forgive me for ali the lies I've
told your"