Evening journal., 1911-10-19

Mother and one summer rented a
furnished house, the owner Of which
went to the country. The lady OF
whom we rented asked us If we would
object to keeping her parrot. I told
her / would make myself personally
responsible for the bird, called Clip,
and she need feel no anxiety about
him whatever. She was much relieved
at this, for it would have given her
great deal Of trouble to take him with
her. and he was a very valuable bird.
Two or three days after the owners
departure and our entrance to the
premises a young man called at the
house and asked for Miss Barrows, a
young lady member of the family of
whom we rented. The maid told him
that they had all gone away, but could
not tell where, so l went downstairs
10 give him the information.
He told me that he was an old friend
of the Barrows family; that he had
been out of town and was much disap-
pointed that they had gone away, be
cause he had counted on having them
in the city to visit when most persons
were away. AS it was, he should be
very lonely. He had especially counted
on using the library. He said all this
30 promptly that / felt it incumbent
upon me to say to him that he would
be welcome to use the library when
ever he liked. He thanked me very
much and departed.
There is an unwritten, unspoken
language between the sexes, and Mr..
Binder was talking it all the while.
especially with his eyes. 1 knew per
fectly well that he cared nothing
about the books, but wished to make
my acquaintance. And / doubted not
that he knew l understood his real
purpose. Had not felt toward him
something akin to what he felt to-
ward me there would not have been
any such understanding between us.
Several days later when I was dress
ed for the afternoon Mr.. Binder call
ed and asked for me- 1 went down
to see him. and he told me he had
taken advantage Of my kind permis-
sion 70 read in the library. I knew
very well that he had called to see
me. But ] told him to make himself
at home AMONG the books and return
ed to the upper floor. AS / expected,
he soon called. for the maid and told
her to ask me II / would kindly come
down and help him find a book he
wanted. 1 consented, but the book
was not in the library. He had made
sure that It wasn't there before send
ing for me.
He began to talk about books so in-
terestingly that sank into a seat and
listened TO him. ] was charmed with
his knowledge of any subject he
touched upon or suggested. The re-
suit was that the afternoon passed
without his reading a word, devoting
It all to conversation with me. though
confess he took the first opportunity
TO switch or from literature and had
the art to set me to talking. In 9th
er words, he was not only a good talk.
er, but a good listener. And some
times think that a good listener is
more entertaining than a good talker
Mr.. Binder called three times dur
: ing the FIRST week to use the library
Two OF these visits were taken uT
with me. Then one day he said that
my kindness to him, a stranger, need
ed some acknowledgment and asked
me TO 90 with him to the theater.
accepted, of course. During the even
} ing he read to me passage from g
letter from Miss Barrows. Thank oul
t, tenants In my behalf for permitting
5 you to use the library. but hope Gil
will not be disturbed from his Gus
, tomary habitation"
The meaning OF these words abou
Clip was that his cage usually hung II
the library. / told Mr.. Binder to as
sure Miss Barrows that Clip had no
been moved.
The result Of Mr.. Binder using thu
: library was what might have been ex
= pected from the frst-a love AFFAIR be
. tween him and me. And / confess 4
was a very strong love affair. He tol'
: me that the moment he had seen m'
at the time OF his first call he knew
Y that I was the woman he wanted 70
p a wife. And he blessed that meeting
y because ne had intended to marry
! WoLudn NnOm ne rupPooCA NC Wohbc'
and had not known what love was III
he met me.
That was the summer Of my life.
gave myself up to the enjoyment Of
new born love. and. when the seasol
drew to a close and our lease wa
about 70 expire ! mourned our antici
pated departure.
The library was used for the livin
room and the day the Barrowses al
rived we all went IN there together
I. Why she did II / don't know. but Mis-
Barrows asked Mr.. Binder n
/. couldn't call that day for 3 o'cloc
! tea. He came and before he left
was made aware OF her object IN ash
ing him While we were all in IN
: room together Miss Barrows went u
!. to Gip's cage Clip was delighted I
see her and made a great futter
/. ''Hello. Gip" she said; "have the
!. been good TO you while we have bee
awayg
= kiss me. Ethel" squawked tn
a parrot
- Ny name is Ethel
!. 600 by. One more"
!. My face and Mr.. Binders were bot
II a. red as a couple OF beets-
Meanwhile the parrot was rsffHsn