The Press., 1910-11-16
By cLARIssA MAcKIE.


 Sidney Ransom, had died a short time ago, leaving to Lydia a legacy. The lawyer went on to state that, although Mrs. Ransom had never seen the niece of her husband, she had been greatly impressed by reports of her kind and amiable disposition, and so to her lov- ing care she left-her pet bird, par rot.
 To Lydia, who detested parrots as noisy, ungraceful creatures, this legacy fell as calamity in her quiet, we'll or dered existence. She scarcely read the badly written postscript, which stated that the remainder of Mrs. Ransom's estate had gone to favorite nephew of her own. :
 The parrot arrived in a crate. ..-
 There was a tall perching stand fOH Polly in the crate with the cage, and the parrot was soon at home on the perch, chain secured around one IeR and fastened to the stand.
 Lydia found her new companion the source of much amusement for several days. He learned to call her by name, and at times it almost seemed as If she had human companion in her lonely life.
 Her house was situated at the end of the long village street, and few came to her save when there was dressmak- ing to be done, but Saltwater was near a large city and most of the women bought their clothes in the ready made shops, so Lydia did not have much to do.
 It was the spring of the year, and Lydia worked much in her garden. Many times Polly sat near on his perch, shrilly defiant of the wild birds that lowered curiously about him. 7
 Lydia was digging among her pansy plants one morning, transplanting the little green shoots from one bed to an- other.
 You're growing old, old, oldy' shriek- ed Polly, with sudden vindictiveness and a dreary foreboding in his tone that startled his new mistress.
 She turned wistful brown eyes in his direction. Lydia Thorne was no long CT young, but she still retained a cer- tain sweet youthfulness of expression, and her brown hair showed not one thread of gray. Perhaps it was be- cause her heart would never grow old, for at thirty-eight Lydia was younger than many women at eighteen. She never thought of her age, but now, when Polly repeated himself fin a sud- den fury of words, she felt that they must be true 7tfe'-
 You're growing old, old, old as the everlasting hills. Never mind, Lyddy shall marry Stephen, and then every thing will be all right. Oh, geey'I Polly made savage peck at a. saucyg blue jay who had ventured close. to hiA perch and sent the bandit bird scream ing to the top of tall elm tree. : Polly scratched his ear refeetivelys 'Poor old Stepheny'
 Lydia was interested. 'Who is Ste phen?" she asked. :, s,tI
 stephens a fool. He must marry Lyddy. Then everything will be all, right" cackled the bird. :,
 "'What nonsense!' cried Lydia indig- nantly. "What does the bird meant" She wondered often after that, for Polly seemed to find great comfort in speaking of the unknown Stephen, and, through Polly, Lydia learned that Ste phen was a good boy and credit to his family and if he would only. gOt and see Lyddy he would at once fall in love and marry her.
 Then one day came letter from a cousin in another village inviting Lydia to come and spend a week with her, and, having heard of Polly's arrival, she extended permission for Lydia to bring her legacy.
 This Lydia was loath to do, for the. parrots cage was heavy and most un- wieldy, and she did not really care enough for the bird to carry it about the country. Nevertheless none of her neighbors seemed willing to undertake its care, so one bright morning found Lydia and Polly speeding cityward, in the railroad train. aa7
 The parrot proved diverting com. panion, and it seemed as if they had scarcely started before the train drew into the noisy station where she had to change cars. ,,
 Lydia was walking through the long building, carrying the heavy cage in her already tired arms, when Polly set up a violent outcry.
 Stephen! Stephen! Oh, Stephen, wait for Lyddyv' he shrieked fran ticaIly. ,a,
 A man crossing diagonally in front of them paused and looked curionsly at the parrot. 7.
 That's good boy, Stephen. Marry Lyddy and everything will be all right. sucs handsome PoIly?' The bardi was Huttering to and fro, and Lydia found difficulty in holding the cage upright. ss& .,..g4
 The stranger approached and lifted his hat. ''I am sure Polly is an old friend of mine," he said courteously. ''He recognizes me, and'-
 Tired Lydia flashed indignant eyes upon him. "Sir!' she said coldly.
 The man turned away with redden- ing cheeks. He had 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 chanced to meet. Polly added tumult to confn- sion.
 "stephen! stephenl Be a good boy-marry Lyddy and everything will be all rightr' he screamed. J
 Lydia was almost hysterical as the stranger paused again and thrust a Anger between the wires of the cage. Polly clung to the finger, crooning softly. With a sudden movement Lydia thrust the cage in the mans arms.
 '"Take him if you want him! I'm sure don'ty' And then, mheeding his sharp exclamation of surprise, she aarted away in the hnrrying crowd. She was quite breathIess when she reached the home of the cOusin that