The Catholic bulletin., 1920-03-20

He tried to convince Mrs. Board
man that a tall hedge would be as
effective as her proposed wall, and
far more slightly. When she positively
insisted on masonry, he told her that
he was past due at another estate, and
would leave the actual rearing of the
wall in the hands of an able assistant.
Mrs. Boardman viewed her COM
pleted wall in eXultant triumph. Her
garden was amply large without the
coveted strip, and she had erased the
blot completely!
Supremely happy, she waited for
the feathered songsters of her dreams.
Il hope a cardinal will come soon,"
she smiled eXpectantly.
When no bird song broke the
silence she reflected that the work
men had frightened them away. They
would return presently, discover the
new houses and nest in them.
Carolngs, twitterings and chirp
ings back of the wall disturbed he:
confidence. With artful purpose she
strOlled. one day, to the rear end of
the wall, where, from a screened DO
sition, she peered curiously into Miss
Sarah's grassy yard. A gorgeous
oriole flashed down to drink from {
shiny tin basin at her back door, then
a robin sent a showery spray as he
bathed When he flew to perch on a
picket, to dress his draggled feathers
group of sparrows settled on the
basins edge, and slipped daintily, un-
til blue jay came and scattered them
with his raucOus cries.
Suddenly her wall loomed grim and
fOrbidding. 81 believe it shuts them
out" she fretted Filled with rest
less distrust, she approached her for
mer vantage ground Peeping slyly.
she saw Miss Sarah shipping sprays
of syringa blossoms. The shears
cleaned in her hands, yet a song spar
row fitted near her, unafraid, she
noted enviously.
Suddenly Miss Sarah turned and
saw her. She nodded pleasantly, then
with quick finger of silence on re,
lips, beckoned her with a swift ges
ture of command
Crimson with veXatiOn and embar
rassment Mrs. Boardman mechani
cally approached her, and following
her intent gaze into trumpet vine
clambering on trellis against the
wall, she suddenly saw miracle o.
vibrating wings shimmering above the
red and yellow trumpet flowers She
held her breath as she watched the
chalice to another and hover for ar
instant in quivering ecstasy. When
its appetite sated, it buzZed away ir
a direct fight, until lost to their view
she sighed tremulously.
Come, see his nest" motioned Miss
Sarah, parting the thick leaves and
disclosing a tiny tuft of thistle floss
and fiber, cunningly woven together
and lashed to two twigs by multi.
tude of delicate, spider-web strands
ut looks like joint of the vine!"
exclaimed Mrs. Boardman.
THAT is because it is covered by
this thatch of green lichens. See its
soft, dainty lining! There were two
wee homeopathic pills!-but
some other bird destroyed them. ]
am very glad you came by just ir
time to see Ruby Throat
Mrs. Boardman flushed uncomforta.
bly,. $50 am l." she said earnestly
and I'm going to bring you my hum
| ming bird book. 1t will be interest
ing to find what species this one be-
longs to-
1.-The ruby-throated humming bird
is the only one that nests in Ohio,
Miss Sarah asserted quietly.
'Oh, there must be others! I've
been reading up about Birds Mrs.
Boardman continued Importantly
Their distinguishing markings are
so puzzling. I'm sure you will be in
terested in what my authorities state
she insisted with friendly condescen-
sion.
mo doubt assented Miss Sarah, e
quirk of amused enjoyment twitching
the corners of her mouth.
The mysterious twinkle she saw in
Miss Sarahs eye puzzled Mrs. Board.
man for some time. She was tor
| mented by a desire to follow up the
| chance to see the birds, but her pride
constrained her, and she again mood,
| lily haunted her silent garden, which
| was fast losing it's charm.
Then, one. day, her cardinal came
Thrilling with joy ineffable, she
breathlessly watched his bright-eyed
| explorations. Too soon he flew to the
top of the wall, firted his tail saucily
and dropped from her sight.
Overwhelmed by disappointment she
| rushed around the end of the wall
where she found Miss Sarah busy in
| her garden. 'Oh, Miss Sackett, a
| cardinal came-he didn't stay-what
| do cardinals like to eat?' she STAN
mered eXcitedly.
| Miss Sarah pushed back her sun
bonnet and smiled brightly into hel
| visitors flushed face; Mrs. Boardman
really was sincerely interested, she
| discovered instantly.
| Il carry popcorn kernels in nay
pocket for them,' she beamed, reach
| ing in the folds of her dress and draw
| ing out a handful. ''They are very
| fond of mulberries, too. I'm afraid
| YOU cut out your trees. but mine are
| full of fruit which is beginning to
ripen.'
| 'c oi,,ifc c,rh