170 A TRAGEDY IN THE MAPLE-TREE. 



fled, while his plumage was in such a state that 

 he looked like a vagabond, or bird - tramp. 

 When she wished to depart, and her curiosity 

 about his doings was satisfied, she flew gayly 

 away, descended to the ground, and employed 

 herself in gathering her food with her usual 

 calmness. Of course, the only way I could tell 

 her from a thousand other sparrows was by his 

 treatment of her. 



But now the house was swept and garnished, 

 the victor, with unseemly haste, devoted him- 

 self to the task of wooing a bride. He had no 

 idea of keeping bachelor's hall, and possibly his 

 fancy for another had been the cause of the 

 trouble. After a short absence he brought 

 back a gay young creature, brighter in color 

 and somewhat smaller than the discarded wife. 

 It was interesting to see his coaxing, there was 

 so much of what we call human nature in it. 

 He stood by the door and called her quite gen- 

 tly, while she, daintily and with many pauses, 

 hopped nearer and nearer, till just when an- 

 other hop or two would have brought her to 

 the door she suddenly flew away, and he after 

 her. Soon they returned, and the same scene 

 was repeated. This time, may be, with many 

 pauses of affected indifference, and looks of in- 

 tense interest directed to some other part of the 

 world, she would get as far as the door of the 



