Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-05-11

bage with the dew on it, which I con-
slider a very pretty smile, and she babe
me welcome with one Of her beaming
smiles. There, too, was the unlucky par
rot in its cage, and standing just outside
the summer house. / had noticed that it
had been set out to sun itself, as usual,
on all fine days, and as far as l could
see nothing had transpired to make me
think they had any cause to suspect my
imposition.
L 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 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 mean Capt Travers went in
doors to get his supply of necessaries for
the evening, and, turning to me, Miss
IraVerS commented:
by the bye, Capt. Manley, how is
your parrot? [ have not seen it out in the
garden lately"
| felt my heart beating, bit faster,
but with every semblance of outward calm
NO; the fact is, it's not been at all
well; in fact, it's dead
Dead she exclaimed: "Well, 1 new
err. What did it die OFF,
TPDltN1.
died quite suddenly about a week ago
Il 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 a bit more lively this evening |
don't think she has spoken a word all
week.
THANK goodnessr' l inwardly ejaculat-
ed.
Things were beginning to look a bit
awkward and l cast about for some
thing to change the course of conversation.
[ am not quick thinker, however, and
before | could collect my wits Miss Trav-
ers continued:
Dear. dear. to think your poor Polly's
dead! Well, [ am sorry! [ should be
sorry to lose you, Polly DEAR she said,
addressing the parrot. But, really,
Capt. Marley" looking me straight in
the face, Il 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 week.
felt the. blood rapidly rising in my
cheeks and forehead. but I trusted to my
tanned complexion for it not to show. |
feebly replied, Perhaps she's noting
It was an unlucky slip. ''Well, now I
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
molting?"
Yes, L often used to notice it about
my own parrot
But l thought your bird had no red
about it, she pursued.
"COnfound the wOman's persistence" I
thought, but I stammered: Il mean
that IS to say-you-see-l'ye noticed it in
all red parrots | have ever come across.
They shouldn't be bathed at all; it in
jures their constitution
"Oh! l thought you recommended it,"
she said.
SO I had. dozens of times "Only for
the gray Ones" said /, forming a con-
yenient distinction on the spur of the mo-
ment.
Miss Travers didn't seem inclined to
pursue the subject further, much to my
satisfaction, and then there was a dead
pause. During the whole of our CONVEX
sation 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 | do
not know. but at this opportunity it burst
in with Hi, hi!'
think of nothing to change the subject;
and yet if didn't say something l was
terribly afraid the parrot would.
A bicycle bell sounded down the road.
Are you thinking of getting a bicycle,
Miss TraVersW l said.
mo; certainly not" she replied; chow
can you ask such 9 question:"
Another awful pause, during which l
mOnped the perspiration from my brow.
''Ra--Ra-acheI, l love your' came in
clear tones from behind my back. The
wretched bird had caught the exact tone
Capt. Manley. Sir" said Miss
Travers, raising herself to her full five
feet one and one-half inches. Did you
address that remark to me, sir?'
[ had, however, utterly collapsed, and.
burying my head in my hands, l leaned
down on the little round table. Whether
the Sight of the poor, old ship in distress
touched her tender heart, | don't know,
but she added in softer tones:
This is very unexpected" Capt. Man
ley
| could hold out no longer.
Miss Rachel" [ cried, I'm a thunder
ing old hypOcrite. My parrot isn't dead at
all; there it is in that cage; it's yours
that's dead-I shot it. / didn't mean to-
Can you forgive me for all the lies l told
you?"
'".All right! All right" said the solemn
voice of the parrot behind me.
1T was Polly that made that remark
just now, not |. Believe me- she speaks
the truth. if l don't. Rachel, do really
love YOU
[ ventured to look up Tears were
standing in her eyes, and the expression
on her face made me hope that | did not
look quite such a big BOBBY in her eyes
as | felt l did in my own.
Moving nearer clasped her hand, and,
as it was not Withdrawn, l put one arm
gently around her ample waist
Now, we shan't be long" said the
gray parrOt.-Tit-Bits.
Where VIolins Are Made.