The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-05-26
POLLY AND The SECRET.

POLLY AND THE SECRET.
It certainly was an odd thing to do,
ana the Ponsonbys were not a little sur
prised when Helen Waters gave them
bright green parrot for a wedding pres
ent- They did not consider Il either or
namental or useful and not in the least
essential to their newly married happi-
ness.
1T seems to be a sort of a joke" said
Alice Ponsonby to her husband. I can't
! think what she meant by il"
oh, I simply didn't want TO duplicate
any Of your other presents, explained
Helen when she heard of the Ponsonbys'
perplexity and I didn't think anbody
else would give you parrot And. be-
sides. it VIII be something for you TO
talk 10. Alice, and TO keep you company
way down in that lonesome Woodlawn
fat when Tom is in town at work ali
day"
And so pretty Polly in a finely pol
ished brass cage found a place in the
parlor Of the Ponsonbys' dwelling place,
where ne could look down in the street
and scold and fret, parrot fashion, at
whatever went on TO incur It's dispieas-
ure. The care OF the pet was a new thing
TO Alice, and Polly was allowed to go
hungry more than once in his early days
in The new abode But Alice soon became
accustomed 10 the new care, and almost
before she knew it she had developed a
decided fondness for the bird.
In her spare moments Of play with II
she tried to teach It TO say a few things
in addition to the Polly wants a crack
er" aud the other stuff that all parrots
seem to know as soon as they have first
cracked their shells. And in the course
OF time the thing began TO like Alice also,
and TO side along its perch and appear
pleased whenever she came into the
room.
But somehow It didn't seem to like Tom
Ponsonby, and always sputtered and
scolded whenever he came near.
Queer brute, amt it?" Tom would say
TO his wife. Then he would tease il by
poking his fingers into the cage and pre-
tending TO abuse his wife, which the par
rot very soon learned to resent. The bird
was Jealous, in fact. and it soon came
about that whenever Tom PonsOnby gave
his wife a farewell kiss in the morning.
or took her into his arms when she well
coined him home in the evening pretty
Polly would put in an oar, so TO speak,
and sputer out its angry displeasure.
Break away, break away" it learned
to say on such occasions. and seldom
failed. Tom thought it was clever of the
beast" and it not infrequently happened
that he embraced his wife more for the
sake Of hearing the parrot sputter than
to demonstrate his real affection.
In this way the parrot became an i'm
portant member Of the household, and 1t
was really a pleasure for Alice Ponsonby
TO report that her pet was getting along
just fine" when she met Helen Waters at
tea time one Sunday evening at the
senior Ponsonbys.
Really, I wish you could see It now
and hear it talk said Alice. Wont you
come over to dinner next Sunday, and
Wen bring you home il the afternoon"
Helen Waters did come the next Sun
day, but not to dinner, according to the
original plan.
'I'll drop in during the afternoon" she
wrote in a note, changing the time, land
if you don't mind, III bring my friend,
Mr.. Stevens, who has asked TO call that
day. He is a pleasant fellow and /
should like you to know him..
Miss Waters and her escort sauntered
into the Ponsonbys' fat about 5 o'clock
that Sunday afternoon, and their first
thought, after q few words about the
parrot and an exchange of compliments
between the young ladies concerning their
clothes, seemed to be to get away again
But you mustn't be going way over
to the North Side at this time of day until
you have had supper" said Alice. I'm
sure you must be hungry, and you've
been here such a short time Tom and I
can have the supper things ready in a
jiffy if you'll only stay"
1T would be pleasure for me TO stay
replied Helen, IF Mr.. Stevens doesn't
mind"
Mr.. Stevens didn't mind, OF course, and
the Ponsonbys hustled back TO the
kitchen to fix up a Welsh rarebit and
the accompanying indigestibles, leaving
their guests to talk TO the parrot and
look over the books in the front room.
They had been gone but moment
when they were startled by the most ex-
cited spUtterings and squawkings that
came back through the open doorways.
Break swayi Break away Lego,
there! Break away.'
The parrot was in fury of excitement
and was strutting around his cage al a
great rate when Alice dashed in from the
kitchen. She found Helen Waters stand
ing far back in corner blushing to the
roots of her hair. while Mr.. Stevens very
much flushed and hustered. stood close by
awkwardly trying to untangle his cuff
button from the lace at the back of the
young lady's neck.
why. what's the matter with the par
rot?" demanded Alice, her eyes starting
with wonder. whats all the racket
about?"
II don't know. Alice. I'm sure" STAN
mered Helen, becoming more confused
every moment. Hes frightened me near
ly to death with his screeching. I don't
know what started him, I'm sure. only
only when you and Tom went out OF the
room, why, Joel mean Mr.. Stevens
got foolish and put his arm around me
and kissed me. But, Alice, Alice. It's ali
right. dear, for we're engaged and have
been for a month. only we didn't want
anybody TO know just yet because we
can't be married for a year. and Alice.
dear. you must promise me not to say
anything about it TIL I tell YOU"
Say anythingi" calculated Alice. "Of
course shan't say anything except bless
you both, my children And you're a
mighty lucky fellow, Mr.. Stevens, isn't
he. TOm?'
Il know I'm lucky" responded Stevens,
smiling proudly st the young lady TO
whom he had Just been linked-by the
cud button-"but that parrot scared me
out Of q. years growth al right and gave
away closely guarded secret"
Yes" put in Helen, that miserable
parrot! I'd ike to
He isn't a miserable parrot" inter
r1pted Alice. Hes just lovely. and
when you're married I'll let you borrow
him sometimes Sunday afternoons when
your girl friends bring their young adj
mirers around 10 call on you''-Chicago !
Record Herald.
A Blow That Stunned.
Have you ever had dumb, nameIess
feeling IF Soma aunroac ching dtsester7fs Z