The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-09

The Euenf1,g Story
The Holy Rooster.
/ (By Jane OSBORNE
| Bob Dean, owner and proprietor of
the largest fruit and poultry farm in
the country. knew a good deal about
poultry, but this new species Of roos-
ter was out Of his line. To all intents
and purposes it was a rather ancient.
none too well-bred leghorn, but OBJ
viOusly 1t was no ordinary bird
| It was late one afternoon in October
when Bob first saw the strange bird.
He was just dismounting from his spir-
tied young mustang at the door Of his
ranch bungalow when Daphne turned
into the driveway. Bob didn't notice
the bundle she was carrying at firet:
he was too .auch preoccupied with
Daphne. wh.:. frank. girlish brown
eyes and youthful prettiness focused
his attention.
Are you Mr.. Dean, and do you keep
roosters ?'' she asked hurriedly, and
then as Bob handed the bride OF his
horse to his man she unwrapped the
large brass birdcage she had been car
rying.
said, and she got on her knees to peer
into the cage to see that the rooster
had not been disturbed by his long
tjaunt. Mr.. Dean would. would you
me?"
I Bob laughed and looked first at the
Igirl and felt very much aware OF her
prettiness. He doesn't seem to be
much of a bird" he said. THAT is, I
have a hundred leghorns better than
that: I don't see that he would be
worth much to me- He stopped
short as he noticed for the first time
that there was a gold ring around the
ROSTERS left foot. and a gold chain
Fastening him to the side Of the gilded
cage.
But Daphne explained very prompt
ly- that it was~not her intention 10 DE
paid for leaving the rooster at the
ranch, but to pay his board.
'.You see," she said, I'VE don't need
him often and we want him to be we'll
and happy. 1t probably seems a little
funny to you,' she smiled in response
to Bob's look of amazement, but 1
cannot explain, and you mustn't tell
anyone about how the rooster came or
about me or anything. Promise?"
Then as Bob promised she went on.
II came to you because 1 knew you
had the best-kept ranch in this county,
and didn't want to run any risks with
Ar1stOphanes. That Is his name, but
please don't tell anyone
Bob was aware on this first inter-
view that he found in the girls art
lessness in her frank brown eyes and
her girlish voice something that was
indescribably lovely. But in few
, realized that he had agreed to give
the rooster board and lodging at the
rate of two dollars a week-Daphne had
named the rate and he had laughing
ly accepted it-that he had promised
not to tell any Lne a word of her visit,
and not to let any one know that the
rooster was any differ ut from just an
; ordinary rooster. Sometimes. Daphne
explained, she would need the bird, and
/ then she ould come for him, and
t carry him way, as size had brought
: him. in the brass cage which, with the
E gold ring and the chain, she left in
! Bob's keeping. Meantime the rooster
was to be the 'parlor boarcer'' on the
. Ipoultry farm Of R~b's ranch.
, A month -aSsed before Daphne came
: again and Bob Doan's curiosity turned
into a feeling of anxiety. Apparently,
pretty and youthful as Daphne was,
, she was suffering from some curious
. delusion.
When Daphne came again she looked
, prettier than before. She slw Bob,
!. paid for the ROSTERS board and carried
, the rooster OF agai-- in the brass cage
carefully concealed under a coat. Very
again with the rooster at the ranch.
1T was 80 late last night when we
were through with him." she said.
{ that couldn't bring him back. and
{ so''-here she laughed delightfully-"1
{ had to keep him in my room-in the
t dark SO he wouldn't crow. for IL he had
they would have got him. am sure.'
} A half dozen times after that Daphne
tcame for the rooster and az many times
/ brought him back-always alone, al
!. ways apparently afraid of being fol-
4 flowed.
al Many times Bob was tempted to make
some inquiries about his strange Wis
Iitor and even to follow her after she
. left the ranch. but then he remembered
, | the frank condding look In her eyes as
, she had pledget- him to secrecy, and
, he stopped. One day when he was
: talking to the proprietor Of neigh
boring ranch he had determined to
make some inquiries that might throw
some light on the mystery.
by the way" he said. ARE there any
| sanitariunls Or asylums around here?
lreally know very little about this sec
j. ton. IT'S oE.y my second season.
'Asylums. no. said the netghbor
a There are no institutions around here
at all but the girls college. about i've
= miles away
OF courEc Bob knew about the college
property that touched the end OF the
\ college property just % he would never
have to see the college students. This
. threw no light on the mystery. College
women were mot going around the coun-
> try with holy ROSTERS In brass cages
and, besides, Daphne was too pretty fol
a enl1eRe 9irl