Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1851-05-20

her h.nd.
Jo,CulIy did she receive orders to lay the
wreath upon the stand in Linda's room, to-
cether with pure, white dress and blue
silken sash. All were TO be altired IN white
The wreath and sash forming the only exceP-
ton to designate the queen.
And so the Master retired TO his rest, tran
quill and happy. :,
A light screen alone, separated the small
rooms Of Linda and Janetie. and when
CarIoua. stepping lightly. and with dim
light in her hand, entered that Of Linda, sh e
quietly deposited the coveted articles IN
their Mace, and then retired without d'slur-
bing the heavy slumbsts OF the young glrl.
Janette on the contrary had not vet slept, 50
anxious was she TO know il tie honor was
IN be conferred upon herself. When, there.
fore she heard softly falling footsteps within
Linda's room she spraDg noiselessly from
her bed, and saw with anger and vexalion
That her ambitions were surely blasted, for II
was indeed Linda who was To be queen oi
May. The more she pondcred over u. lhe
more full OF anger and ha,elulness did she
become. She again arose and without know
ing why, wandered into the room OF LINDA.
In one moment moie il seemed without re
feclion or deliberaIion, she had sought out
the hule stand near the bed, graSped the
wreath, and crept back into her own apart
ment. She did not know Of the scarf, for II
had not been told among the girls that such
one was 10 be worn by the queen. She
was so frightened aud felt so guilty that she
/ crepl quickly into bed again But then the
/ flowers would fade, and must be placed IN
water: so she arose resilessly. The moon
! Law so peacefully, and looked just like snoIh-
er lille window upon the floor, that II
was very easy for her TO see, so she poured
pure water into her white basin and laid the
lovely wreath with all its wealth Of buds and
blossoms. within il, so that on the morrow,
they would be bright, and beautiful, as when
smiling 10 the leafy greenwood they-Llnda
and herself had gathered them. with the
Pickering sunlight peepNhg once and while
down upon them as the air blew aside the
branches of the lofty trees where they had
nestled close in then mothers hand, with on
ly few little tuging birds for company, who
often came outof sheer pity perhaps TO cheer
them in their solitude.
Jeanette shrank within herself as she re-
tnembered all this, and covering her head mp
with the bed clothes. rha. even the pure bright
moon might not see her guilty face, she soon
went to sleep.
The truth il. that jeanette was so carried
away by pride and vanity, and The desi,e "'
being first on the morrow, that she did no
reflect upon the dreadful she was commit
, ting. nor feel 10 reality the danger, nay the
almost certainty Of being discovered. She
trusted TO chance.
, Linda awoke the next morning peaceiu
and hapuy, with nota shade of dlsapoin'men
y elt In, L a1
her lule stand, aad saw that the wrea'h wa:
not there.
, Hrr eye rested in admiration upon the
1 whe muslin dress. aud blue sllken sash
which was thrown gracefully over II.
. Her sweet voice tung out loud and clear
e ia a simple morning hymn, as she threw al
the window. and looked out upon the morn
, The sun was Just raising, rosy and beautiful.
the birds sang in the heavy branches, which
: were dripping with dew, while early roses
sent up perfume Of fcliness; which came
direct from heaven.
; After having ba,hed, Linda put on he
wbite robe. then took her brown hair glossN
=. and DARK, from of her white forehead, anC
Land il in simple bands al the back OF he
f. head. fastened it with small pearl pins, threw
. the blue sash over her shoulders, and wen
down stairs, blithe and happy, very anxious
and deeply interested to know who had th'
e honor Of wearing the wreath.
/ She heard the grrs in the open summe
, parlor. laughing aud talking gaiiy.
a As she entered, they all gathered abou
her wondering much. that she ike them
e selves were unaGorned, but instantly camt
y jeanette. blushing, and not walking quite
$ erect. as in her usual way, seeming some
$ what confused, especially as her eyes n
e once sought those of Linda.
Upon her head lay the wreath, glowing
i beautiful. and fresh IA the morong.
e Linda flew 10 her and kissing her crimson
i checks broke forth; what did / say nbou
d .presenliments.' dear Jeanette, now yon see
| am so clad, because you were so anxious
for it. and how well it becomes you!
n All hail our lovely queen Of May!
: The cirls repeated this again and again
d and now all al once sounded an echo, IN thu
; vnice oCthe good Master. lie was in th,
4 midst Of the dear lhiily girls, before they
u knew it, mingling. 10 his simple black cos
+. tune. with the lovely white dresses, which
i flew snd danced so charmingly about, will
II every movement Of their pretty forms.
e Bless the dear birds all over the world OF
n the first Of May, who find their way TO Ih'
d woods, as naturally and universally, as do TN
e tiny ones of the wildwood!
Hail Linda. our queen Of May, said tn
] Master, going AT once 10 the young gnl, ant
y taking both her small white hands wi'hin hI
Y own where they trembllpgy rested. not 40
like pure white eggs in great brown nest
e Not once did his eyes turn towards jeanette
, bu, they remained with penetrating, firm
n gaze upon the dowucasi face Of Lioda, VIII
:, dreaded. she knew not what.
,Cl What caused the sudden silence whicl
,e seemed to rest like spell upon the before
noisy girls'
t. Thanks dsar kind Master, Tor your partial
r. ity replied Linda. dsengsgiug herself, an
!. throwing her white uncovered arms aroun
n the form Of the shrinking Jeanette, but yo
J. mistake. behold our queen!
,e She smiled and looked innocently up hi,
;. his eyes, which still remained fixed upo