The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-04-14
Ben
POtter'S
Proxy
II Proved to Be A
False Friend
By CLARISSA MACKIE

that part or the western part of North
america where the Mexicans have al.
kays been in evidence. Ben was as
brave as lion where a man adversary
Was concerned. but had constitution.
n fear of the fair sex. A little gun
blay wouldn't faZe him a bit. but 10
(ell a woman he loved her was beyond
The scope of his audacity. One day he
kame across greaser who kept par.
iuts for sale.
Ben Potter stood in front of the par
kots cage and poked tentative fore
knser at the beautiful green and vel.
low bird whose yellow markings edged
With black added to its gorgeousness.
you're dead certain she can tall: z"
demanded of the storekeeper.
kin a duck swim?" retorted the
btorekeeper testify
What kind Of talk can she hand
but? | don't want no swear words
hind, Dawson-it's for a lady-its for
6y sister" said Ben laboriously striv-
hg TO cover up the fact that the par
|ot was for Linda Day, who was not
bis sister and who he fervently hoped
kould never offer to be sister to him
"No swear words!" chuckled Daw-
|on. "Will you hear that?" he went
y addressing the bird Tell the gen
peman pretty things, Polly"
Il love you," croaked Polly, with a
fickcd glance at Ben.
Ben flushed hotly. If that was the
|ort Of talk Polly INDUCED in she was
ust the bird Ben needed to convey
he story of his tender but diffident
SasSion TO Linda Day.
The deal was concluded. and Polly
|nd her cage were transferred to Ben
'otter'S hands. He arranged to leave
hem there until dark.
Il shan't be going back again till Q
fclock." he said casually.
There won't anybody know you've
ought a hansum parrot if you sneak
] home in the dark" said Dawson in
ocently
That's just what I'm calculating on.
pu idiot" snapped Ben coolly, rs he
brned and went down the street. his
pot heels clicking on the board walk
nd the brim Of his hat tapping in the
feeze.
4 love you," chuckled Dawson as he
pook a finger at Polly. "Oh, you Pol
4 And oh, you Ben Potter
II was after 9 o'clock when Ben Pot
r called for his parrot. He had
pueht new blanket, which he wrap
I'd around the big cage. leaving an
bening at the top.
Good night. Polly" he called down
e opening.
Get out" growled Polly GROSSLY.
Dawson gave vent to an exaggerated
lwn.
I'm about closing up now" he NUT
red to hide a smile. Hope you like
e bird. If you get tired of her hand
g out that line OF soft talk. why. you
ln teach her something else. you
bow"
Sure thing" said Ben as he left the
ace
As he went galloping home to the
WIN Star ranch, the trail unwinding
lore him like broad white ribbon,
held the cage on the pommel of his
adle tnd wondered what Linda Day
puld .ly to his strange gift.
Tee whiz. I'm glad it's night" he
uttered as he neared the ranch. Sud
Fhiy he paused and looked around at
moonlit spaces.of the cattle range.
why not give 1t to her now?" he
Aed himself. They'll sure hand me
'ile of Jolly If they see this thing at
punk house. Why. it might up and
= 1t loved 'em."
lie wheeled his horse and dashed
wv the trail. turning to the right
pen lie reached the three cottonwoods
marked the cross trail leading to
Widow Days ranch.
ie was glad that the bunk house
dark and that the big dance in
Spider had evidently drawn all
men away for the evening.
PC guessed that Linda Day might be
'ihs calmly reading in her living
~ with a gun beside her on the
e She was perfectly able to take
OF herself, and yet she was far
being masculine. 1t was her mix
Oi fearlessness and soft woman
that made her fascinating TO the
81 cowboys of the Red Spider dis
eu Potter knocked briskly at the |
lie knew that Linda hated
sheaky knock. Ii gave her the
eps' she admitted.
moment she stood there. framed
tne lighted doorway.
on' good evening. Mr.. Potter" she
pleasantly. Won't you come In"
added Hospitality.
'o' thank you," murmured Ben--''at
only to put this on the table for
| heard you say you wanted a
50 found this one"
followed her into the living room
= placed the ao-o - A. saf,l1 ua