The Press., 1910-11-16

parrot. She was ashamed Of her 1m- patience toward the stranger and thought somewhat ruefulIy that Aunt Susan Ransom would have considered her a shrew rather than a kind and anliable person had the good lady seen k her i'll temper on the day of her jour ney.
 The. second evening after her ar rival as they sat at tea Mrs. Brent broke the silence that had fallen be- tween them: a''a s'f:2 :'s1aQueer, wasn't 1t, that Susan Ram som should have left everything to Stephen when he don't need the mon ey and just left you that parrot to take care off Never saw Susan in your life, did you?' -
 'sNo," said Lydia, ''but used to write to Uncle .Ransom, and then after fhea died I kept upa correspondence with Aunt Susan. quite liked her too. She used to write about the par rot, but I never dreamed. she would leave 1t to me. never liked parrots much.'
 Fl guess you could have used some money z remarked Mrs. Brent, stirring her tea thoughtfully. stephen don't need any more'n he's got" .
 ''Is stephen the nephew?' faltered Lydia, with very pink cheeks. She was thinking of Polly's allusions to stephen"
 ''Of course Stephen Wood. Queer you never knew his name. Susan thought a sight of him and nagged him day and night because he never got married He's doing real well in the city-he's .insthe coal business and is making money hand over fist"
 "HaYe you ever seen him?" asked Lydia in a queer voice.
 Land, yes! Good looking too. Tall and lean,, with clean shaved face and bright blue es-colors up. like . girl when he's embarrassed He always seemed to think lot of that parrot. visited there once, you know. should think he'd have wanted it. Pm disappointed you didn't bring it, Ly- dia. They say it's very clever bird. shall be in Saltwater before long, and I'll see him then"
 Lydia w9s doubtful whether Mrs. Brent would ever see the parrot again, although MT. Wood might return the bird to her if he knew where she might be found, for now she knew it was Stephen Wood who had stopped and spoken to her that day in the railway station:
 After all, the visit did not turn out to be as enjoyable as Lydia had am ticipated.
 The little house seemed very lonely when Lydia returned to Saltwater. May had come, and with it the smell of apple blossoms and young clover. Lydia leaned over the gate and watch ed the golden cloud of dust that pre- ceded the rumbling stage. The even. ing train was in, and presently, after the stage had carried the mail to the postoffice, she would throw a shawl about her shoulders, and go down after her newspaper and letters.
 The stage rolled past. The driver waved his whip at her.. and her gaze followed the vehicle down the long street into the village. She did not hear footsteps approaching from the opposite direction, and as she turned E her head Polly's familiar voice broke harshly on the still air.. "Here we are, sir! We'll, we'll! Be good boy, Stephen, and marry Lyd- dy"- Polly's voice died away in an Indignant squawk as a strong hand reached in the cage and chastised him. It was Stephen Wood bringing Polly home. .E.A ''Mrs. Brent told me you had return jed home, and so I have brought the bird back to you, Miss Thorne. I am sure you must have thought me imper- tfnent that day in the station. Of course you did not know me, but I recognized Polly's voice and should have made myself known to you at once"
 ! s'T was very rude to you," said Lydia gratefully as she opened the gate to admit him, "but was very tired, and I was a little tired of Polly just then, and 1t all happened so suddenly. You understand?" e%
 'tOf course understand. Polly is tiresome most of the time, but he has many good qualities. If he had not recognized me that day would not have the pleasure of returning him to you," said MT. Wood. ..... They sat down on the steps, and the man looked admiringly at Lydia, pink and glowing and sweet as one of the apple blooms overhead.
 'Be a good boy, Stephen, and marry Lyddy, and everything will be all right" shriIled Polly suddenly, and there was such a note of prophecy in his raucous voice that Lydia's brown eyes fell before Stephens steady blue ones, and this time Polly went unre- huked.