Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-25

gravely and silently watching her every
movement from his perch.
What's the matter. Polly? Why don
yoG talk to Ine?'
Dry up grumbied the parrot.
'.Dick taught you that. He did his. best
to make you rude boy. The little woman
smiled over her recoliections of RICHARDS
efforts 10 corrupt the parrot $ speech and
morals. A pleasant and unusual breeze
lifted the stray curls on her forehead. Peo-
looking up. she caught Tom DowninSs
eye as he stood at the window and smiled
across at her. Slowly the hours crept
with nothing to mark them but the
Ginning of the clock in neighbering
church tower. The color deepened in Miss
Pinchs cheeks. Her eyes shone expect
antly bat still her. busy fingers flew. At
Il O'Clock she prepared and ate her sim
pie dinner.
He must be here soon now she thought
as she reseated herself by the window.
Two Oclock-3 o'clock-4 O'Clock. How
frequently the hours chimed now. There
must be something wrong with the clock
she was sure. At Miss Pinch laid down
her work and sat twisting her fingers ner-
vously. The parrot watched her suspicious
ly. He had never seen her in this mood
before.
Its beautiful world" he ventured, in
sinuatingly.
Yes. yes, Polly-it's-Oh, why don't he
Gomez"
The red in Miss Pinch's cheeks faded out
ana the bright light that had SHOWN IN Eer
eyes all day grew dim.
At O clock the next morning Miss Pinch
was startled by knock at the door.
"At last!'' she cried excitedly. and ran to
messenger boy who handed her note.
With trembling hands she tore 1t open and
read
Dear Aunt Lucy:
Frank and have been on the jump ever
since we got here yesterday noon, and
have not been able to find spare moment
IT. which to see you Today is to be rep
etition of yesterday. 1t would hardly do
to bring him to call upon you. He is one
of those particular fellows.
You will understand the situation, SO
that there is no fear of your feeling hurt
if don't go to see you this trip. In Sep
TENDER l may be able to run up to New
York again.if l can get the funds-and
selves. With best love. I am
Your affectionate nephew,
Richard"
"P.S.-We leave by early train tomorrow.
VIII you send me some money so that l
shall find it when l get back to Cambridge?
Ten. dollars will be enough if you can't
spare more. R."
She picked up her work mechanically.
IT'S beautiful world" mumbled the
parrot after long silence.
MOT so beautiful it was, Polly-not so
beautiful" and dropping her face in her
hands she sat quite still.
1t was also dark, when Miss Pinch, who
itdu ioI SDtltu Hef usual u o CLOCK meal, put
on her hat and walked slowly toward the
square. She was waiting on a crossing for
some vehicles to pass when d beautiful and
fashIonaby gowned girl, escorted by two
Well-dressed men. attracted her listless at
tention. As the party drew near her eyes
suddenly frightened and she started for
ward, her hands outstretched toward one of
the gentlemen, exclaiming. "Oh. I'm so
Slad TO but with q wondering stare the
trio passed her by. She shrank back as if
some one had dealt her blow in the face,
murmuring below her breath, oh, Dick,
DICK, how could you do that!''
Exactly what happened next Miss Pinch
never knew. She had reached the middle
OF the long crossing when a cab came
Whlrllng down the avenue. She heard a
confused bable of warning voices. and.
WIN startled cry, stretched out both
hands TO feel one of them grasped by a
nan, who put his arm strongly about her
and drew her into safety
Ihat was close call. nam said
Icm Downing in voice that trembled
as he stood beside her on the curb still
holding her hand
Miss Pinch looked up at him with ouiy-
ering lips.
been for you and then she gently with
drew her hand
You might a-been. But come and sit
down, leading her into the square 81
guess you was thinking of something else
When you crossed that street." he con-
tlnued as he seated himself beside her
on an empty bench.
I'm little tired, maybe" and her heavy
eyes sought the ground
Have you seen Richard today?. alb
ruptly. . az
She felt the blood rush to the roots OF
her hair VI
"Yes'-she faltered-"just now. But he
was with lady and gentleman and
and-they were in a great hurry-there
wasn't time to-to-stop"
Ihere was an awkward pause, which
Tom broke at last
"Hows the parrot-he hasn't bitten YOU
again.! he asked with an effort at TO-
coseness. " "
on, no." and she shook her head. re-
| ileVed by the change of subject "Polly
| hurt me-" ~
You're stanch little body" he rs-
marked with apparent irrelevance and a
LOOK that conveyed volumes-voiumes that
MISS Pinch might have read in an instant
ii her eyes had not been fixed On tho
ground. How do you think he likes this
| monograph" ~
ner ae likes It t very much. indeed with
| pefceptlDie Frightening. Sometimes he
sits for an hour with his head on one side
| listening while it plays"
| Tom smiled broadly and sat silent. Miss
Pinch also silent, let her mind wander -
ter the delinquent Richard.
DO you think that the parrot would he
Jealous .h or f., photograph in the same house
put MISS fincn glanced UP before
she hao quite pronounced the little word
ana saw Toms eyes glowing with honest
love and admiration. looking down at her.
Ihen, perhaps. he wouldn't mind com
ing over 10 my place to live" he went on
hastily The fact is. little woman. what
with seeing you at your window every day.
and meeting you in the square occasionally.
al iilinklng or you all the time, I've come
to believe that you're the truest. best little
woman going; and though this amt the
place to say soft things-it's that crowded.
must say that l love you to that extent
couldn t hold out any longer without tell
ing you so and asking you to be NV wife"
Ana so the green parrot went to live with
the monograph .''
Passing Of the Bicycle.