Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1903-04-01
CUPID AND THE
PARROT 80
By Elizabeth Cherry Waltz
Copyright, 1909. bp the
S. s. Mcclure Co,npdny
BY Elizabeth Cherry Walt
Copyright, 1909. bp the

III TdlntT IcScTNcu IudllDcT. lie $1,000
: at the door of a neat cottage one morn
ing in spring with rather a disconsolatC
air.
Il DO miss Sis Therese," he said re.
gretfully, "and her dying 50 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 fine
gray and red parrot that seemed to ell
joy the situation.
Hello, captainw she cried "Ship
ahOyv'
wish there was, Polly" retorted the
captain, "but there's none in sight. I'll
go down town and advertise for n
housekeeper to clean up this place.
Ship ahoy, 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-
ward the markets. His eye caught
sight of a large blue and white sign,
Servants Supplied"
ut will not do any harm for me to
stop in there" quoth the captain.
AS he stepped into the entry he saw
woman hestating in front Of him.
The captain declared ever afterward
that when she turned about you could
have knocked me down with q feath-
err" She was not Il girl, but woman
approaching middle age and with
pale and gentle face.
"Scuse me, ma'am. | am trying to
find me housekeeper."
The woman looked intently at him.
81 am trying to find a place where |
can do something" she said YEARLY.
IF you would not mind trying to put
up with me and my Polly eagerly
began the captain,
as Polly your wifeY she queried.
ooh, no; she's the parrot"
The woman hesitated.
81 have always lived in the coun-
try" she answered. but my brother
died, and | thought | could do better
in the city. | haven't money enough to
go back-in fact, ! haven't any at ALL"
The captain looked ut her and speed
lily grasped the facts Of the case.
''I'm most old enough to be your ia
ther," he said kindly, although he was
not, land you must come right along |
n ctr IN rh pA1I
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 woman, swung and
screamed in her cage:
Captain, ship ahoy! Captain, ship
ahoy"
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 a boy carrying
q large valise. He knew that this must
be his sister Melinda from California,
who could not attend her sisters fu-
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 a
heavy wrap over the cage.
you'll smother her." said quiet
voice. "I'll take her out OH the porch"
"Who are you, anyhow" quoth an
rate female voice. where's the cap
ainT
Here l am" said that individual
weakly, appearing at the door. "I-we {
lidn't expect you. Melinda"
II suppose not. l came as soon az ;
Ould. Therese left me all her things.
'ou see.'
The captain looked about him, much
mazed
'What thingsT |
"Why, the housekeeping things. You 5
won't want to keep house. You can
'oard."
mo; won't board" protested the
aptain. "Polly and me are comforta
lie right here"
But you cannot live this way" re- I
Gated the California sister. you will (
re stolen from and imposed upon. ,
'herese wrote me that If she ever had
0 go to come right on and break up s
or you. SO I've come" -
The captain gazed at her, awestruck,
asclnated at her daring. What wom-
n was this, even of his own blood, y
vho would so ruthlessly destroy all
Is comforts? The captain began to .
ealize. He went out on to the porch
nd brought in the parrot.
ITS too sunny for Polly out there"
e said. II never set her out until to-
ard noon."
The quiet woman entered With a cup
tea and some sandwiches. The Wis. .,
or grew calmer when refreshed.
81 will just get little nap" she
lid, yawning, land then I'll begin ut
nee on Sister Thereses clothes and
lings. can't spare any time that's
)t necessary I'm needed at home" -,
As soon as the house became quiet =.
lie captain stepped out OH to the back -
orch. lilly, the quiet one, was shell
10 naoa nm fhp fOD stem
"She wants me to 60 to boarding.
lily"
eyes, SIR"
"They won't have Polly In board la
wanted TO look aftr