The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-05-20

out OF the way Mexican places, and.
finally Joined party of observers sent
out by the government biological sur
vey with Instructions to get data about
the fora and fauna Of Florida. Philip
had personal friend in the party, a
man of kindred tastes to his own and
il was to him that he owed the priv
ilege of joining the party of govern
ment observers.
One day the little company threaded
its way through part Of the Florida
everglades. The members had heard
that about i've miles from their camp
there was nesting a colony of scarlet
ibises The scarlet ibis is a rare enough
bird in the United States to make the
fact Of its nesting one Of scientific in
terest. The government observers We're
determined to get details to the nesting
habits, the size of the colony and some
other data for Smithsonian institution
use. When they had reached a place
near which they supposed the nesting
colony to be they heard the reports OF
guns Plume hunters after the ibises.',
said Philip Ledyard's friend.
They are butchers, said Philip
Lets push on and see If we can't stop
their deVilish work"
They broke through the tangled bar
riers Of the swamp and came upon the
scene HEAPS of beautiful scarlet
deeDer than the hue of nature in places
where shot had done its cruel work
were scattered about in the open forest
glade. The slayers had finished their
work The last mother bid lingering
in the hopeless defense of its nestlings
had just fallen stricken to the ground
The air was filled with the cries of the
young in their nests
I.edyard with no attempt to conceal
his anger and lOathing, asked one Of the
human brutes how he could do such
1t pays. mister. Ask the women
folks; they wear EN-.
Ledyard turned away HIS trlenu
SAID. Phil the man spoke truly. Inc
women Wear them, and they know about
this cruelty. for it's been published
broadcast The scarlet ibis brings more
money than the white egret because II
is scarcer. This is the first colony
ever saw in Florida Hear the youDa
clamor for food. They'll call for two
days. Then they'll be silent enough, be-
cause they'll be dead. dead from star.
vation.
Philip Ledyard's year was up and he
was at home again. Josephine Battels
was there. She was beautiful. He ad-
mitted it himself half reluctantly. He
had seen Mary Martin twice. His heart
troubled him a bit when he saw that
she had grown pale and serious since he
last saw her. There was an indecls1on
in his heart for which he reproached
himself sharply. One day when he met
Der She was tending a wounded robin
Her eyes were full CT tears. Philip Led
yard went home thOughtfully.
That afternoon Josephine Battels was
to so driving with him. She started for
her room to get ready. Josephine
deaf" said Mrs. Ledyard do wear
your new hat. I wish Philip to see it.
1t is admirably suited to your style of
beauty. Mrs. Ledyard added, smiling.
Josephine Battels stood in the door
way ready for the drive with the after
noon sun fun upon her. Philip Ledyard
looked al her with warm admiration in
his eyes. She was a beauty, this girl.
His gaze went to her hat 1t was Won
derful white creation, with a brilliant
bit of color at it's side. Philip Ledyard
looked again. The striking hame-col
ored trimming was the wing of a scar
let ibis.
1t was orly three days later when
Mrs Schuyler Ledyard found a letter
on her plate at the breakfast table
Dear Mother it ran. only two weeks
ago you told me 7 had come into my
own You meant money. I did not
really come into my own untff yesterday
when Mary Martin married me. I over