The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-04-02
Ben
POtter's
Proxy
1t Proved to Be a
False Friend
By CLARISSA MACKIE


was concerned. but had a constitution
al fear of the fair sex A little gun
play wouldn't faze him bit. but to
tell a woman he loved her was beyond
the scope Of his audacity. One day he
came across greaser who kept par
rots for sale.
Ben Potter stood in front of the par
rot's cage and poked tentative fore
finger at the beautiful green and vel
low bird whose yellow markings edged
with black added TO its gorgeousness.
you're dead certain She can talk?"
be demanded of the storekeeper.
kin duck swim?" retorted the
storekeeper testify
What kind of talk can she hand
out? | don't want no swear words.
mind, Dawson-it's for lady--it's for
my sister" said Ben laboriously striv-
ing to cover up the fact that the par
rot was for Linda Day. who was not
his sister and who he fervently hoped
would never offer TO be sister to him.
mo swear words" chuckled Daw-
son. Twill you hear that?' he went
ON addressing the bird Tell the gen
tleman pretty things. Polly
Il love you" croaked Polly. with a
wicked glance at Ben.
sort Of talk Polly indulged in she was
just the bird Ben needed to convey
the story Of his tender but diffident
passion to Linda Day.
The deal was concluded. and Polly
and her cage were transferred to Ben
Potter's hands. He arranged to leave
them there until dark.
II shan't be going back again till 0
O'clock" he said casually.
There won't anybody know you've
bought a hansum parrot II you sneak
It home in the dark" said Dawson in
nocently.
That's just what I'm calculating on.
you IDIOT" snapped Ben coolly, as he
turned and went down the street. his
boot heels clicking on the board walk
and the brim Of his hat tapping in the
breeze.
II love YOU" chuckled Dawson as he
shook finger at Polly. "Oh, you Pol
ly! And oh. you Ben Potter.'
1t was after o'clock when Ben Pot
ter called for his parrot. He had
bought new blanket, which he wrap
ped around the big cage. leaving an
opening at the top.
Good night, Polly" he called down
the opening.
"Get outr' growled Polly GROSSLY.
Dawson gave vent to an exaggerated
yawn.
I'm about closing up now" he NUT.
tered to hide smile. Hope you like
the bird. If you get tired Of her hand.
ing out that line of soft talk. why. you
can teach her something else. you
know"
Sure thing" said Ben as he left the
place.
As he went galloping home to the
Twin Star ranch. the trail unwinding
before him like a broad white ribbon
he held the cage on the pommel Of his
saddle and wondered what Linda Day
would say to his strange gift
Gee whlz. I'm glad it's night" he
muttered as he neared the ranch. Sud
denly he paused and looked around al
the moonlit spaces Of the cattle range.
"Why not give It to her now?" ht
asked himself. They'll sure hand ms
! line of jolly If they see this thing a
the bunk house. Why. it might up anC
say 1t loved EN-
He wheeled his horse and dashed
down the trail, turning to the righ
when he reached the three cottonwood
that marked the cross trail leading Il
the Widow Days ranch.
He was glad that the bunk hous'
was dark and that the big dance II
Red Spider had evidently drawn al
the men away for the evening.
He guessed that Linda Day might b
sitting calmly reading In her livin,
room with a kun beside her on th
table. She was perfectly able to TAX
care of herself. and yet she was ia
from being masculine. 1t was her mix
ture Of fearlessness and soft woman
uness that made her fascinating to tn
rough cowboys of the Red Spider dis
trict-
Ben Potter knocked briskly at th
door He knew that Linda hated
soft. sneaky knock. 1t gave her tn
creeps." she admitted.
In moment she stood there. frame
In the lighted doorway.
"Oh. good evening. Mr.. Potter" sh
said pleasantly. Wont you come in 7
she added Hospitality.
mo. thank you," murmured Ben-"s
least only to put this on the table fe
you. l heard you say you wanted
pct. SO found this one"
He followed her into the living rooI
and placed the cage on the table. b
took of the blanket and revealed th
parrot stirring sleepily on the perch
For me? How very kind Of you
cried Linda Day. as she gazed at th
brilliant bird. 81 think they are to
amusing. Mr.. Potter, and 1t is b
lonely here sometimes. Polly and
shall become great friends" she col
Ill As