Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-08-05
DAILY NOVELETTE,
EDUCATING POLLY
BY Margaret l.. Aberp

TOHN BENTLEY deposited the par
= rot cage. none too gently, in the
tonneau of his car. A strident souawk
of protest came from under the green
silk cover.
'Drat that bird" muttered John.
turning on the engine. As he shifted
gears he went on addressing himself
sarcastically. "a girl must think a
whole lot of fellow when she appoints
him gentleman in waiting to her pct
parrot for the summer What does she
think I am, anyway? Just a good
natured, long suffering, big brother
sort of person, to be ordered around
by her indefinitely? She knows I de
test the bird. too"
Johns wrath was amply justified
He had called on Marjorie Hastings
that evening, armed with two pound
box of candy, a box of American Beau
ties and a firm determination to pro
pose TO her. He had gone similarly
armed on many other occasions during
the past year. and the result had al :
ways been the same-Marjorie had re
ccived the candy and flowers, but never
the proposal. Johns courage always
failed him at the crucial moment.
Tonight. though. there had been no
opportunity for him. As soon as he ar
rived and presented his offerings. he
hoI nGIn 10 fnl, Al.
walk. 1t was fat, pampered terrier
and had TO be exercised on a leash.
When John returned from this task, he
found Marjorie busily telephoning
good by to her girl friends and making
last minute preparations for her vaca :
ton. The most ardent suitor cannot
wax sentimental when the lady is hay
ing hurried conferences with her
mother and sisters. So John had said
good-by early in the evening and de =
parted with Marjorie's parrot, which
in misguided moment of devotion, he
had offered to keep for the summer.
The next day Johns troubles began
The parrot woke him bright and early
by its loud. meaningless chatter. 1t
was spoiled pet. like the fat terrier
and had no proper parrot training
whatever. Squawking and eating were
its chief diversions.
After few days of misery, John
consulted an authority on birds. As a
result the parrot was put on a strict
bird diet, with no luxuries in the way
of chocolate drops, which its indulgent
mistress had allowed. Also, of a sum
mer evening. John could be found sit
ting before the big gilt cage repeating
over and over again, Eight o'clock
time to get up or Good morning,
Marjorie. how are you today?' The
bird soon ceased squawking and became
very tame with her new master. But
it is slow work educating a parrot, and
John grew discouraged at times.
Several happy week ends John spent
with Marjorie's family at the seashore
hotel, leaving the parrot in the care of
his housekeeper Each time he went
hopefully determined to ask the all
important question, but each time he
came back ruefully thinking that he
had been wanted only to report on the
parrots happiness and appetite.
When Marjorie returned from her
vacation. John took the bird over to
her house on his way to work one
morning. and left it hurriedly. promis-
ing to call that evening.
Marjorie welcomed her pet. but ii
only eyed her coldly and began its
familiar squawking. After it had sub
sided its mistress spoke to it affection
ately.
/ How did Johnny boy treat my
precious little birdie? Did you find out
if he loved me, Polly? | wonder if the
dear will ever see that / loved him?
| thought he might understand when
I gave him my little bird to take care
of all summer He's very nice young
man, isn't he. pollykins?"
| Polly cooked her head on one side
and viewed her mistress specr2atvely.
But she made no comment at all.
So John called again tthat evening
with his candy and flowers and firm
determination to settle his fate. Mar
jorie's pleasant greeting and sincere
thanks for his kindness to Polly sent
his hopes rising. But presently they
drifted into the old time impersonal
conversation. and John felt his de-
termination rapidly waning.
Then a loud tapping of wings at
tracted their attention to the bird cage.
Polly calmly stretched both gorgeously
hued wings, and after this ceremony
was over proceeded to show her pro-
ficiency in English.
While Marjorie listened in embar
rassed amazement she heard her con-
fidences of the morning repeated word
for word.
How did Johnny boy treat my pre-
cious little birdie" Polly began, with
endearing emphasis on the ridiculous
name Johnny boy" did you find
out if he loved me, Polly?" she went
On with a droll infection. 81 wonder
if the dear will ever see that l love
him? I thought he might under
stand
But a great light had dawned on
''the dear" and he gathered a sud
denly shy Marjorie into his arms.
Polly, silenced by these strange hap
penings, watched the proceedings
gravely. No doubt she would later
report to Marjorie's family just what
John was saying.
The next complete novelette-What' S
in Name?