The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1920-03-05
ROMEO
sy LOUISE N. ADDISON.

A~FAA& anu A1uP&SSAOncO SpSoI1SS
when he wished. But he didn't always
wish. When things went smoothly Ro-
meo was merry. bright and converse
donal. But IL anything happened to
RUNE his feathers he could be as tenn
peramental as any grand opera star,
becoming by turns. silent, morose and
irritable. Nevertheless, he had his
favorites, TO whom his words were low
Ing, and his accents sweet, though the
uninitiated might have found his voice
trife harsh. For Romeo was a
parrot, whose dearest and most de-
voted friend was aged Mrs. Scott. his
owner for 20 years, and whose bitter
est enemy was her grandniece. Hes
ter. aged seventeen.
Hester had no respect, it seemed,
either for Romeo's years or his wis
dom. She was In the habit OF slyly
poking him i'm the ribs. OF teasing him,
when she wanted a little amusement
for herself or her friends. of offering
him gifts In a honey-sweet voice when
he was fast asleep, and of Withdrawing
them when he was sufficiently aroused
to accept the goodies she tempted him
with. Romeo bore the laughter that
followed valiantly. But he acquired
an implscable hatred for Hester. He
did not sputter or make fuss, as a
parrot should have done. He waited.
and bided his time He was old and
wise. and reasoned that some day the
many blows to his comfort and dignity
would he avenged.
Hester, meanwhile. faced the world
merrily. little dreaming that the future
might bring undesired complications
into her life. True. she had fallen on
In her studies. but studies were bore,
anyhow. and she wasn't going to al
low n trife like that to bother her.
For weeks Edgar Traitor had escort
ed her home from school. to the NOR
LITIGATION Of several of the most at
tractive young ladies in attendance
there. He had become, in fact, Hes
ter's AFFECT slave. At a very early
date Edgar began to regard himself
as one Of the family. The two would
come In Of an afternoon, devour Mrs.
SCOTS choicest pastry, and when
they had eaten their all, start the
photograph, or perhaps Hester would
play on the piano and sing, while Ed
gar accompanied her on the violin. Be-
tween the two Of them they managed
to make so much racket that poor Ro-
meo's tortured squawk went all un-
noticed, and one AFTERNOON Mrs. Scott
felt called upon. out OF sheer despera-
ton. to order Edgar from the house,
with strict injunctions never TO enter
It again without permission from her.
A note from the principal OF the school,
received that day. had aided Mrs. Scott
In her determination 70 expel Master
Trafton from her home, for it had
stated, In unmistakable language. that
Hester would not graduate unless she
paid more attention to her studies.
Seeing that young love was likely
to suffer unnecessary tribulations TX
Edgar continued 20 call In the aft
ernoon, the lovers met evenings. there
after, In the parIor, where Hester was
fondly supposed TO be studying her
lessons.
Mrs. Scott usually retired early, so
the coast was clear. Out Of the COR
ner OF his eye Romeo, thought TO be
asleep, watched them evening after
evening. Romeo didn't know, perhaps,
that 1t was only few days before
examinations, but he did know that
something out OF the ordinary was
coming or He sensed IL on q certain
day when Edgar entered the house
q little more quietly than usual. and
Hester met him at the door with q
restrained and eager expression. Ed
gar regarded her with what was meant
to be look Of undyfng love and de-
termination on his usually sheepish
face.
"Your aunt shall not separate u.s."
Romeo heard him say. I'VE love each
other, and true love never win
be thwarted."
= "Ne," agreed Hester, with look Of
high resolve. True love Will find O.
way. True love 10 not afraid
"Tt 10 not" said Edgar, I'm a very
exalted voice. True love 10 not afraid.
I have made all the arrangements. We
will slip away On the twelveffteen.
The minister ut Rosedale will merry
ns. have the ring all ready"
And then came the supreme moment
Of Romen's life. the sacred hour OF his
revenge. They had not considered him
at all, OF course, and his beloved mis-
tress had gone 10 bed early with q
headache. but Romeo was prepared TO
show them thing Of two-and make
true love find another way.
The lovers, intent on the arrange
nents, when. suddenly a loud, laugh
ing, raucous voice broke upon their
BARS.
"Hesteri Hester Shame on you I
Tell that foolish boy to go home.
Send him home. I tell you, you SHY
Love will and a way On the twelve
6fteeni The minister at Rosedale.
Love Send him home, Hester. Send
aim homeI Love will And a way. On
the twelve-fftsen Hal Ha"'
Amazed. horrfned. the lovers rose.
Romeo still kept up his shrirl. croaking
laugh. There was q sound from the
room overhead. Edgar rushed for his
nat and coat, made for the door, and
was gone Romeo, In a voice that
eould be heard a quarter OF a mile
away. was stiIl talking "a Mrs. Scott
came In.
The minister at Rosedale. The
welve-fifteen. mother. the tweIve-ff-
cen have the ring. Love viii lind