Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-07-10

wish somebody would try and per-
suade G. to talk to me like that"
"It shows he's fond Of me-" said
Mrs. Gannett. looking down.
Mrs Clufins jumped up and, snatch
Ing the cover Oh the cage, endeavor-
ed, but In vain. TO get the parasol
through the bars
"And you believe that rubbishY she
said scathingly. bah. you wretchr
81 don't believe It." said her friend,
taking her gently away and covering
the cage hastily Just a. the bird. was
recovering. but let him think do"
II call II an outrage" said Mrs. Cluf.
nns. waving the parasol wildly. Il
never heard of such q thing. I'd like
to give Mr.. Gannett piece OF my
mind. Just about half an hour Of Il.
He wouldn't be the same man after
ward I'd parrot him."
Mrs. Gannett. soothing her agitated
friend as well as she was able, led her
gently to chair and removed her bon
net and. finding that complete recov-
cry was impossible while the parrot re-
mained In the room. took that wonder
working bird outside.
BY the time they had reached the
docks aud boarded the Curlew Mrs.
Clufflns had quite recovered her spir.
its. She roamcd about the steamer
asking questions which savored more
of Idle curiosity than a genuine thirst
for knowledge and was at no pains to
conceal her opinion Of those who were
unable TO furnish her with satisfac-
tory replies.
II shall think Of you every day.
Jem." said Mrs. Gannett tenderly.
II shall think Of you every minute"
said the engineer reproachfully.
He sighed gently and gaxed In q
scandalized fashion ut Mrs Cluffins.
who was carrying on desperate hirta-
ton with one Of the apprentices.
"She's very light hearted" said his
wife. following the direction Of his
eyes
"She is." said Mr. Gannett curtly as
the unconscious Mrs. Cluffins shorten
ed her parasol and raped the appren-
tice playfully with the handle.
'She seems TO be on very good terms
with jenkins. laughing and carrying
on. ! don't suppose she's ever seen him
before" said the engineer.
Poor young thing" said Mrs. Cluf.
fns solemnly. as she came up to them.
"Don't you worry. Mr.. Gannett I'll
look after her and keep her from mop
ing"
You're very kind" said the engineer
slowly.
"we'll have a jolly time." said Mrs
Ciuffns. ~ often wish my husband
was a seafaring man. A wife does
have more freedom. doesn't sheY
"More whatr inquired Mr.. Gannetf
huskily.
more freedom" said Mrs. Cluffins
gravely. II always envy sailors wives
They can do as they like. No husband
to look after them for nine or ten
months In tie year"
Before the unhappy engineer could
put bis indignant thoughts into words
there was warning cry from the
gangway, and with hasty farewell he
hurried below. The visitors went
ashore. the gangway was shipped, and
In response to the clang Of the tele-
graph the Curlew drifted slowly away
from the quay and headed for the
swing bridge slowly opening In front
Of her.
The two ladies hurried to the pier.
head and watched the steamer down
the river until bend bid II from view.
Then Mrs. Gannett. with q sensation Of
having lost something. due. her friend
assured her. to the want Of cup OF
tea, went slowly back to her lonely
home
In tho period Of grass widowhood
which ensued. Mrs. Cluffins' visits
formed almost the sole relief to the
bare monotony OF existence. As com.
panion the parrot wss an utter failure.
Its language being 50 lrredeemably bad
that II spent most of its time In the
spare room with a cloth over its cage
wondering when the days were going
to lengthena bit.
Mrs. Clufiins suggested selling II, but
her friend repelled the suggestion with
horror and refused to entertain II at
any price. even that of the publican at
the corner. who had heard Of the birds
command Of language and was bent
upon buying It.
T wonder what that beauty Will
have to tell your husband" said Mrs.
Cluffins as they sat together one day
some four months after the Curlew's
departure.
~ should hope that he has forgotten
that nonsense" said Mrs. Gannett red.
dening. HE never alludes to 1t In bis
letters"
"Sell It," said Mrs. Cluffins peremp-
torily. Its no good to you, and jim
son would give anything for 1t al
most"
Mrs. Gannett shook her head. "The
house wouldn't hold my husband II
did" she remarked, with shiver.
"Oh. yes, It wouldw said Mrs. Cluf-
fms. You do an l tell you, and
mucl smaller house than this would
hold him. told G. to tell Jimson he
should have 1t for f5."
but he mustn't" said her friend In
alarm.
Leave yourself right In my hands"
said Mrs. Clufins, spreading out two
small palms and regarding them CON-
placently. "rt'll be all right. l promise
you"
She put her arm around her friends
waist and led her to the window. talk.
Ing earnestly. In five minutes Mrs.
Gannett was wavering, In ten she had
given away, and In Is the energetic
Mrs. Clufins was en- route for jim
sons, swinging the cage so violently In
her excitement that the parrot was re-
duced TO holding on to Its perch with
claws and bill and could only think.
Mrs. Gannett watched their progress
from the window and with q queer
look on her face sat down to think
out the points Of attack and defense In
the approaching fray.
A week later four wheeler drove
up to the door. and the engineer. dart
Ing ND stairs three steps at q time.
dropped an aHnful Of parcels on the
door and caught his wife In an en-