The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1919-11-13
CELESTA
By BRUCE BEREsFoRD
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tcepyrIght 1919 BY the wsntsrA News
paper Unlon.l

pleasure--Celesta.
Cclesta Was her pet canary lie was
nothing Of a singer although he had
full yocsaNlary OF Hide chirpings,
Of odd cxpressiyeness covering gamut
from pitiful pleading down TO the
harsh infections OF complaint ana
Seeding. As to his cute capers and
tricks, his gyrations on his perch and
Ills taking ways OF daintlly picking
cherry from Aidas own ruby lips ana
swinging IN her neck chain extended
lengthwisc he was acr0batlc, entertain
Ing. guest and tower all in one lie
greeted her with joyful whistle at
dawn and all but kissed her good
night Friends might prove false ana
sliiors tiresome, but Cclesta thought
dnly Of Aida, lived only for her and
when one day he lay dead in The bot
tum Of his cage Aida cohld not have
mouined more sincerely II II had
been a cherished member Of the fam
lily.
Aida took no one into the matter OF
the final disposition Of her dead pet
"Ir there is birds heaven, she
told her mother, "Celesta's spirit has
gone there. As to the poor little body
II shall 90 back 90 the elements Of ma
ture tbat composed it,"
So Aida went down to the basement
where the ianitor had his Office. She
had been To the florists and had oh
1ained a little box lined with soft
white cotton In ihs She placed the
dead bird, covering him with flowers.
This inpromptu caSket she covered
with folds of soft tissue paper. The
.anitor was conyersng with bright
faced, well dressed young man rs Aida
entered the Office.
MIR Nelson" she spoke extending
the parcel in her hand, ''wil YOU
please place this in the furnace II is
my dead pei bird, Celesta, and have
no place 10 bury him
The young man had drawn aside to
q afford Aida IN opportunity to prorfcr
her request AS she told the object OF
her mission he removed his hat and
Aida was grateful for what size took
10 he Il recognition OF respect, fond in
forest in the dead companion Of many
happy hours Tears We're IN her eyes
as she parted with all that remained
of her little favorite She turned away
with only u casual glance at the young
man.
1t was an mpnlsive remark of
close eirl fricnd that caused her new
uncasiness and worry after she had
become quite resigned TO her loss.
Aida had told this friend Of the fate
nr ihe little bird. "Oh, Aida how
could You have consented TO such a
shocking thing as having poor CeeSta
aurncd up" exclaimed Winnie Tow
ner, aud the more Aida thought OF The
aet HE deeper grew her regret and
melancholy. One day she came across
tho ianitor
"Of course YOU disposed Of my bird
as ! suggestedtn said Aida,
no, Miss, ! didn't" came The amaz-
ius reply Young Mr.. Worrcl asked
me all about you HAT day you came
10 NY Office. He opened the little box
and saw the flowers and everything.
Nelson he says to me, ] will take
charge or this. We have quiet pretty
spot in our home garden where | am
going 10 bury it."
And who is Mr. Womell?" ques-
toned Aida load seeming to have
been lified from her heart.
"He and his sister own The building
here" explained the janitOr He is
the young man who was here the day
you brought the bird To me He ami
his sister live in the big house with an
iron fence all around beautiful gar
dcn up on McrSey street, opposite the
library building
So little Celesta had appealed 10
either hearts than her own, A feel |
Ing of The most fervent gratitude to- /
ward Blake Worrell came 10 Aida. To (
remain permanently. one pleasant AZ I
tcrloon she walked slowly by The /
place The janitor described. Aida look
cd beyond the fence across The lovely |
il"wer beds and >hruhbery. wondering /
whore the grave 81 Celesta could be. /
and experiencing sensation nr rare 4
relief and gladneSs ta realize That her /
fsvorite repoSed amid such beauty and (
peace
4 man and Il woman cam, from the
hnlse and turned down The street
towalel the spot where Aida stood
Sle recognized the Young man of the
ialit"r's room He half paused.
slightly lifted his hat and passed on
While Aida flushed she knew moi why.
The pair halted few feet further
an and The sweet faced lady. Worrelrs
sister came back 10 Aida
My brother tells me you are Miss
Percy she spoke. Tau / venture to
ihink tiat YOU would like 10 see whore
we have placed Celesta. alongside NJ
two II our own remembered house
hold pets:"
That broke The ice and let lease
lleod of fer,id emotions in the impress
Sihle Aida. The three visited little
uiound in peaceful corner Of the
lovely garden. and when they parted
Aida WAS warmly invited Ia again
meet those true Senled people. whose
,hnnghts were 50 closely in harmony