The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-07-22
THEED'S "BIRDIOLA."
By Lillian Cyr.
Copyright, 1921, by Wheeler Syn
dictate, Incl

| Copyright, 1921, by Wheeler Syn
dictate, lnc.)
Theed, in spotless white f1annels,
sauntered aimlessly down the sun
baked sidewalk in Newspaper Row.
1t was June. and the abhorred quest
| for education was temporarily sus-
| pended. In September he would
enter Worcester high, as junior,
an estimable acquaintance in
! Theed's opinion. He slowed down
to halt in front of hitching post,
and, having languidly reached out
/ for it's iron ring, he twirled it alb
sently.
He was in one of those day
dreams boys have. His eyes re-
manned open; but he saw nothing.
| 1t has to be admitted that three
! quarters of Theed's dreams, wax
| ing and sleeping, were of Anita,
the girl who wore his fraternity
pin, and whose lovely hand he had
kissed in a pageant in which they
had been the star performers.
He turned back up Newspaper
Row and down Old South to Ami
ta's home He hesitated with be-
wildering indecision at her gate,
| shyness or some other boyish at
! tribute having seized him; then he
| walked away. He soon returned,
playing a melancholy air on new
| " bought small instrument of bak-
| ed clay, called a "birdiola, said
| instrument containing 10 holes for
10 fingers and capable of a series
of weird and depressing whistling
| tones.
He had nearly passed the house
when Anita hailed him from her
piazza.
"C'm on up, and have some lem
onade," she invited.
He pocketed his instrument and
sank down in a comfortable wicker
chair, while the little hostess pre-
sided over the drinks and edibles,
placed in the tray on the little
round wicker table. Theed was ex-
periencing the height of the happi-
ness allowed mortals.
what is it?' asked Anita, not
without some curiosity, that thing
you we're blowing?"
This" said Theed, holding up
the instrument, and adopting the
manner and the f1uency of the
young clerk in the music store who
sold it to him, "is a 'birdiola.' an
instrument OF rare qualities. From
it one may induce the calls, the
whistles OF any bird, or all birds"
But what you played didn't
sound like a bird"
obi Another rare quality of the
'birdiola,'" he went on. with all the
enthusiasm OF the demonstration.
Through it one may whistle tunes,
melodies, even their variations.
Also, it is a small instrument. 1t
may be carried in pocket. Would
you like to have me play tuner"
"I'd just love to-" Anita explain
ed.
Theed flushed with pleasure, and
raised the "birdiola" to his lips,
prepared to pour the deep well of
pent melody within him through
the little round holes of his instru-
ment.
Here comes Fred. Hello, Fred
die" cried Anita, sweetly. "Oh,
I'm so glad you brought your clar-
met"
Hello. Laurie. OF top" said
Fred gaily.
How d'y DO, Theod responded,
stiffly. He thoroughly disiiked
Fred and his clarinet.
At this point Anita wisely prof
fered light conversation, two glass;
es of lemonade and some cake.
A bit later the two boys rose to
go. I'm glad you boys are COM
ing TO my party" smiled Anita.
"and Freddie, bring your clarinet"
At this last sally Theed hastily
slipped his "birdiola" out OF sight.
It never occurred to him to doubt
the qualities Of his "bfrdiola" He
turned sorrowfully home.
The day for Anita's party arriv-
ed. Theed made an elaborate toilet
and proceeded to Anita's.
A few minutes before the dane
ing began, Theed made his way to