Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 January 1920 — ROMEO [ARTICLE]

ROMEO

By LOUISE M. ADDELSON.

(ft MW, by McClure Newspaper •yudicaU.) Romeo was his name, and like the more famous Romeo of old could make loving and Impassioned speeches when he wished. But he didn’t always wish. When things went smoothly Romeo was merry, bright and conversational. But if anything happened to ruffle his feathers he could be as temperamental as any grand opera star, becoming by turns, silent, morose and irritable. Nevertheless, be had bls fa vorftes, to whom his words were loving. and his accents sweet, though the uninitiated might have found his voice a trifle harsh. For Romeo was a parrot, whose dearest and most devoted friend was aged Mrs. Scott, his owner for 20 years, and whose bitterest enemy was her grandniece, Hester, aged seventeen. Hester had no respect, it seemed, either for Romeo’s years or his wisdom. She was in the habit of slyly poking him in the ribs, of teasing him, when she wanted a little, atflusement 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 Implacable hatred for Hester. He did not sputter or make a fuss, as a parrot should have done. He waited, and blded his time. He was old and wise, and reasoned that some day the many blows to his comfort and dignity would be avenged. sHester, meanwhile, faced the world merrily, little dreaming that the future might bc*ng undesired complications Into her lite True, she had fallen off Mr her studies, but studies were a bore, Jftyhow, and she wasn’t going to al--low a trifle like that to bother her. For weeks Edgar Trafton had escorted her home from school, to the mortification of several of the most attractive young ladie£ in attendance there. He had become, in fact, Hester's abject 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. Scott’s choicest pastry, and when they had eaten their fill, start the phonograph, or perhaps Hester would play on the piano and sing, while Edgar accompanied her on the violin. Between the two of them they managed to make so much racket that poor Romeo’s tortured squawk went all unnoticed, and one afternoon Mrs. Scott felt called upon, out of sheer desperation, 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 to 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 if Edgar continued to call in the afternoon, the lovers met evenings, thereafter, in the parlor, where Hester was fondly supposed to be studying her lessons. Mrs. Scott usually retired early, so the coast was clear. Out of the corner of his eye Romeo, thought to be asleep, watched them evening after evening. Romeo didn’t know, perhaps, that it was only a few* days before examinations, but he did know that something out of the ordinary ms coming off. He sensed it on a certain day when Edgar entered the house a little more quietly than usual, and Hester met him at the door with a restrained and eager expression. Edgar regarded her with what was meant to be-a look of undying love and determination on his usually sheepish face. „ “Your aunt shall not separate us. Romeo, heard him say. “We love each other, and true love never will be thwarted.” “No,” agreed Hester, with a look of high resolve. “True love will find a way. True love is. not afraid.” “It Is not,” said Edgar, in a very exalted voice. “True love is not afraid. I have made alt the arrangements. We will slip away on the twelve-fifteen* The minister at Rosedale will marry us. I have the ring all ready.” And thCn came the supreme moment of Romeo’s life, the sacred hour of his revenge. They had not considered him at all, of course, and his beloved mistress had gone to bed .early with a - headache, but Romeo was prepared to .show them a thing of two—and make true love find another way. The lovers, intent on the arrangements, when, suddenly a loud, laughing, raucous voice broke upon their ears. “Hester! Hester! Shame on you! Tell that foolish boy to go home. Send him home. I tell you, you silly! Love will find a way I On the twelvefifteen! The minister at Rosedale. Love— Send him home, Hester! Send blm home! Love will find a way! On the twelve-fifteen! Ha’! Ha!" . Amazed. horrified, the lovers rose. Romeo still kept up his shrill, croaking laagh There was a sound from the room overhead. Edgar rushed for his hat and coat, made for the door, and was could be heard a quarter of a mile away, was still talking as Mrs. Scott came in. _/ me minister at Rosedale! The pt At *