Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-22

..rTNHERE, see them now Look at them -
i Missed General Swallow angrily, as the
chat of the handsome Rooster with the Red
Bird seemed to grow very confidential
But. that's not Mrs. swallow. She is pur-
pie" said Peggy.
That's her disguise" answered General
Swallow, Here she pretends TO love SO
much she wouldn't look at another bird, and
now see her
she is only flirting a bit That's every
womaps privilege" said Peggy, soothngly.
But 1t didn't soothe General swallow.
"a don't want her TO fiirt.' he clustered.
And as for that Rooster-ll spoil his looks
In hurry"
she will firt all the more just to tease YOU"
advised Peggy. There's better way to
cure her"
What's that" demanded General Swal-
low. calming down a bit
why. firt a little yourself. Make her
jealous" :"
That's Just what I'll do. But with whom
shall ! firt?"
You might try me-" giggled Peggy.
"Humph !" aid General swallow looking
at her critically Parrots are not just my
style Of beauty, but | guess you'll do
His frankness gave Peggy little shock.
but ii was so funny she wasn't bit offended.
How shall We begin" asked General
Swallow. Il never fiirted in my life"
~Oh. we'll stroll along very loVelike,
said Peggy. You smile at and whisper
al though you We're saying nice things"
AN right come on replied General Swa-
low. frowning blackly, as she took his wing
smile Smile ~ said Peggy. General
swallow forced slckly smile, and bent
toward Peggy with courtly air. as he
whispered I'D like to wiring that Rooster $
neck :"
Peggy glanced up and caught Mrs. Swal-
lows eye. The bride was looking at her
with horror. She had apparently forgotten
all about the Rooster, who stood beside her.
See, it's working" said Peggy, softly.
General Swallow looked up quickly.
"Oh, my poor darling. III go to her at
once"
you'll do nothing Of the kind. You'll
make love to me-" said Peggy severely. Gen
eral Swallow reluctantly resumed his lover
like pose. while Mrs. swallow Slared and
sIared Then Rooster said something to her.
She nodded grimy and strutted off across
the green. AS she passed General Swallow
she gave him a bang on the ear ana missed
lust one word: Beast :.
That nearly broke General Swallow up. He
turned 10 follow her, but Peggy held him back.
Wait, You've nearly won, she urged.
But apparently he hadn't won, for soon
Mrs. Swallow was deep in a hirtation with
the Pheasant
See what she's doing now" moaned Cen
eral swallow. And few minutes ago that
very Pheasant told me the Rooster was trying
to steal my wife,
What he said popped an idea into Peggy's
head The Pheasant evidently was disturb
inc the other birds for purpose. Perhaps
the Rooster's warning was directed against
him But what part was the Rooster play
ing in this puzzliug affair? Who could the
Rooster he?
There's something queer going on here
tonight" she whispered to General Swallow
You bet there is and I'm not going to
stand it. I'm going to thrash these fresh
strangers who are flirting with my wife,
NO. you're not. You're going TO keep your
head and find what the trouble is Listen :"
she pulled him behind tiny bush where
they could hear an excited discussion going
ON among several birds. One was just finish
ing speaking:
81 never figured was working very hard
on the farm, but when look back | can see
I've done a lot. Maybe was foolish to give
all that work for nothing"
81 don't like what the Canary said about
Princess Peggy" spoke up another.
Well. maybe it is true. Maybe she Is just
fooling us to get us 10 work for humans
without pay" spoke up third.
you'll notice she isn't here tonight" said
the first bird.
Peggy was hurt and indignant. Here were
more birds criticzng her. She must defend
herself But IL she defended herself she
would reveal who she was and that might
preyent her finding the enemies who were
spreading false stories among the birds.
But she quickly learned she didn't need
TO defend herself. She had loyal defender
In General Swallow.
SHANE on you, birds :" he spoke up. you
l,now Princess Peggy better than that She's
done so much for us you ought TO snap the
head off any one who speaks against her
where's this Canary who is sandering her?
III kill him on the spot ?"
NO no." said Peggy, drawing him away
.'Ill smash any one who speaks against
Princess Peggy. Who are you that dares to
stop me-" General Swallow bristled with
rage.
I'm Princess Peggy" she whispered, her
heart thrilling al this expression OF his stsnch
loyalty. But please keep quite. for there e's
a deep mystery here that we must solve
~. tz,z.-. .,.~.. y, I'm : ~, 49,. ~