The DeLamar nugget. [volume] (DeLamar, Idaho) 1891-1900, 1897-03-26

uITdlu sOuebuiuS hiuS" DS "iN"o'
"Yes, have been bit poorly" said
|. OH how easily the words slipped
out, although had been rs right as
INDEPENDENTLY that particular sum
should be endued with more rectitude
than its fellows l have never been able
to discover-this by the way.
"a bit of cold, perhaps" said Capt.
Travers. "Well, come over the fence
and have a dish of tea IN the summer
house, and Rachel shall come in after.
wards and make you good glass or
something stiff for a night-cap."
Principally at five o'clock 1 donned
my sprucest attire, and with a smart
flower in my button-hole-gay dog that
1 was-slipped over the fence. Miss
Rachelwas there, looking as fresh as
n spring cabbage with the dew on it.
which l consider 4 very pretty simiie,
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. l had noticed that 1T had been
set out to sun itself US usual on all fine
days, and as far rs l could see nothing
had transpired to make me think they
had any cause to suspect my imposition.
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. 1 coull
hear Polly rubbing her beak up and
down the wires of the cage, and swing
ing backwards and forwards in the
metal ring.
After the meal Capt. Travers went
indoors 10 get his supply of necessaries
for the evening, and, turning to mt,
Miss Travers commenved:
"By-the-by, Capt. Manley, how is
your parrot? have not seen it out in
the garden lately"
felt my heart beating a bit faster,
but with every semblance of outward
calm, said:
"No-the fact is. it's not been at all
well; in fact, it's dead"
Dead" she exclaimed. well, l
never. What did it die OF"
81 really don't know" replied. III
died quite suddenly about week ago"
II hose our Polly isn't going to fol
low suit she continued. "Sbe has beer
very dull AID quiet the last few days
but seems bit more lively this evci.-
ing. lou't think she has spoken At
word all the week."
"Thamk goodness!"I inwardly ejacu-
lated.
Things we're beginning to look b!
awkward. and l. cast about for son.
thing to change the course OF convers"
ton. am not quick thinker, no"
ever. and before could collect my wits
MISS Trayers continued:
"Dear. dear. to think your poor Polly
dead! We'll. am sorry! sould be sorr
to lose you, Polly dear" she said. AZ
dressing the parrot. But really, Capt
Manley." looking me straight i'll I'll
face. Il can't make our Pollyou
Sometimes l could almost believe 81
was Il different bird. She hasn'to
seemed pleased to see me all the wee
l felt the blood rapidly rising to
checks nd forehead, but | trusted
NV tanned complexion for it not
show. | tecbly replied: perhaps sb'
moulting."
1t was an unlucky slip. well, nc
7 come to think" said Miss Travers,
noticed that its tail looked much pal.
after It's lath the other morning. ar
the water was quite red. IL that
sign of moulting?"
"Yes, ! often used to notice it abou
my own parrot"
"But t.iought your bird had no re-
about IT," she pursued.
"Confound the woman's persistence
I thought. but | stammered: Il NEAR
that is to say-you see-Ive noticed
im all red parrots have ever cen
lcross. They shouldn't be bathed "
all, it injurcs their constitution
"Oh. thought you recommended it,
she sad.
So | had. dozens of times. "Only for
TIC gray ones,"I said, forming q COZ
orient distinction on the spur OF ti'
moment.
Miss Iravcrs did not seem inclined L
pursue the subject further, much
INV satisfaction, and then there was Il
dead pause.
During the whole of our converse.
tion the subject of it had not ccase'
TO continue its antics in the wire cage
whether it was the sound OF my voice
mat caused IL to be thus excited d.
not know, but at this opportunity II
burst in with Hi, hi!
| was getting desperate. and conl
think of nothing to change the snbJec'
and vet If ! didn't say something
was terribly afraid the parrot woni'
A bicycle bell sounded down the
road. :.
"Are YOU thinking Of getting a bi'
cycle. Miss Traverse" 1 said.
"No. certainly not" she rePiicu'