The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1910-05-27

ing cheeks. he had a nice face, Lydia
admitted to herself. but she had been
brought up to beware Of fascinating
strangers, and this individual was the
nearest approach to a fascinating
stranger Lydia had ever CHANGED to
meet. Polly added tumult to confu-'
sion.
stephen! Stephen! Be good
boy-marry Lyddy and everything
will be all rightv' he screamed.
Lydia was almost hysterical as the
stranger paused again and thrust a
finger between the wires Of the cage.
Polly chung to the finger. grooming
softly. With sudden movement
Lydia thrust the cage in the mans
arms.
take him If you want him! I'm
sure don't!' And then. unheeding
his sharp exclamation Of surprise. she
darted away in the hurrying crowd.
She was quite GREATNESS when she
reached the home Of the cousin that
afternoon andssfound it difficult to ex-
plain the absence of Polly.
II left him b3hind." she said evasive-
", and with afhis explanation Mrs.
Brent had to be content.
During the next few days Lydia
wondered what had become Of her
parrot She was ashamed Of her i'm
patience toward the stranger and
thought somewhat ruefully that Aunt
Susan Ransom would have considered
her shrew rather than a kind and
amiable person had the good lady seen
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:
"Queer, wasn't It, that Susan RAN
som should have left everything to
Stephen when he don't need the mon
ey and just left you that parrot to
take care Of? Never saw Susan in
your life. did your
mo" said Lydia. "but l used to
write to Uncle Ransom, and then after
he died kept up correspondence
with Aunt Susan. quite liked her
too. She used to write about the par
rot. but I never dreamed she would
~
much"
81 guess you could have used some
money" remarked Mrs. Brent. stirring
her tea thoughtfully stephen don't
need any more'n he's got"
us Stephen the nephew" faltered
Lydia, with very pink cheeks. She
was thinking of Polly's illusions to
stephen"
''Of course-Stephen Wood. Queer
you never knew his name. Susan
thought sight Of him and nagged
him day and night because he never
got married. He's doing real well In
the city-he's in the coal business and
is making money hand over fist"
"Have 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 eyes 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. I'm
disappointed you didn't bring 1t, Ly-
dia. They say It's very clever bird.
shall be In Saltwater before long.
and I'll see him then"
Lydia was doubtful whether Mrs.
Brent would ever SEE the parrot again.
although Mr.. 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 an
ticipated.
| The little house seemed very lonely
when Lydia returned to Saltwater.
May had come and with 1t 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
postoface. she would throw shawl
about her shoulders and 60 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
| strast into the village She did not
hear footsteps approaching 1rOm the
opposite direction. and as she turned
her head Polly's familiar voice broke
harshly on the still air:
Here we are, sir! Well. we'll! Be q
good boy. Stephen. and marry Lyd-
dy''- Polly's voice died away in an
indignant squawk as strong hand
reached in the cage and chastised him.
It was Stephen Wood bringing Polly
home.
Mrs. Brent told me you had return
ed home. and SO | have brought the
bird back to you. Miss Thorne. am
sure you must have thought me imper-
tinent that day in the station. OF
course you did not know me. but ]
recognized Polly's voice and should
have made myself known to you at
| OrnoS