The Somerset reporter., 1903-03-12
CUPID AND THE
PARROT 10
By Elizabeth Cherry Waltz

ing in spring with rather diseonsolate
air
Il do miss Sis Therese" he said re-
gretfully, and her dying so unexpect-
ed-like has upset all my ideas of life"
He turned and gazed ruefully at the
comfortable sitting room, now in the
utmost disorder. On the top of the
sewing machine box paraded a fine
gray and red parrot that seemed to ell
JOY the situation,
Hello, captain!" she cried. "Ship
ahoy"
wish there was, Polly" retorted the
captain, but there's none in sight. III
go down town and advertise for n
! housekeeper TO clean up this place"
'Ship alloy, ship ahoy" screamed
the parrot, and again the captain re-
turned as he locked the door:
II wish there was, Polly"
After he had put an advertisement
in several newspapers the captain
walked slowly along the streets to-
sight of a large blue and white sign,
servants supplied.
at will not do any harm for me to
stop in there" quoth the captain.
AS he stepped into the entry he saw
woman hesitating in front of him.
The captain declared ever afterward
that when she turned about you could
have knocked me down with a feath-
err" She was not girl, but Il woman
approaching middle age and with Il
pale and gentle fnce.
'Seuse me, ma'am. | am trying to
find me Il honsekeeper"
The woma- looked intently at him.
Il am trying to find place where
can do somethin%," she sad YEARLY.
IF you would not mind trying to put
up with me and my Polly eagerly
began the captain,
as Polly your wife," she queried.
ooh, no; she's the parrot"
The woman hestated.
81 have always lived in the coun-
try" she answered, but my brother
died. and I thought l could do better
in the city. | haven't money enough to
go back-ih fact, l haven't any at all"
The captain looked at her and speed
fly grasped the facts of the case.
''I'm most old enough to be your ia
Their" he said kindly, although he was
not, land you must come right along
and straighten up that house for Polly
and me. First we will get some break
fast"
An hour later the captain unlocked
the house door. Polly, much excited at
the advent of a woman, swung and
screamed in her cage:
Captain, ship ahoyl Captain, ship
ahoyw
A week went by, and the burly cap
tain stood trimming his grapevines
when he saw woman of rather gen
erous proportions coming in at the
front gate, followed by boy carrying
a large valise. He knew that this must
be his sister Melinda from California,
who could not attend her sisters fu-
neral on account of Illness. His spirits
sank lower and lower as he climbed
the back steps. The new housekeeper
had proved quiet. clean and very indus
trious. Polly was never happy unless
she was in sight. In short his sorrow
for the death of Sister Therese was
now softened because of no lack of
creature comforts.
In the little sitting room Polly began
angrily screaming. one Of the first
acts of the newcomer was to throw
heavy wrap over the cage.
you'll smother her" said quiet
voice IN take her out on the porch.
"Who are you, anyhow quoth an
tain?n
Here | am" said that individual
weakly, appearing at the door "I-we
didn't expect you. Melinda"
II suppose not. | came as soon as
could. Therese left me all her things,
you see"
The captain looked about him, much
amazed
what things"
"Why. the housekeeping things You
won't want to keep house. You can
bonrd"
NO; | won't board protested the
captain. polly and me are comforta-
BILE right here
But you cannot live this way" re-
peated the California sister You will
be stolen from and imposed upon.
Therese wrote me that If she ever had
to go to come right on and break up
for you. So I've come"
The captain gazed at her, awestruck,
fascinated at her daring. What wom-
an was this, even of his own blood,
who would so ruthlessy destroy all
his comforts? The captain began to
realize. He went out on to the porch
and brought in the parrot.
ITS too sunny for Polly out there"
he said. 81 never set her out until to-
ward noon."
The quiet woman entered with cup
of tea and some sandwiches. The Wis
itor grew calmer when refreshed.
81 will just get n little nap" she
said, yawning, land then I'll begin at
once on Sister Therese's clothes and
things [ can't snare any time that's