Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1902-08-22
| Romance OF
aPink Gown
By ALICE JOSEPHINE JOHNSON. |

MISS LESTER made little Mile
NL Currier very happy when she of
fered to give her piano lessons. The
child was passionately fond of music,
and to take lessons had been her dear
est dream but there had seemed small
chance that it would ever be realized.
Mile had no piano, and the aunt with
whom she had lived since her moth
er's death had no money to spare for
luxuries.
Miss Lester had come to Hardwick
only the previous year. hoping the
country air would benefit her invalid
mother, but her hopes were in vain,
for her mother failed instead of gain
ing, and died six months later. The
young lady staid on with her faithful
old servant in the pretty little house
she had rented, feeling that one place
was much like another in her sorrow
and loneliness.
Mile had been one of her first
friends in Hardwick. for the child used
to linger outside the house to listen
as she played, until the lady discov-
cred her, and invited her to come in.
And then came about the proposal that
almost took Miles breath away, that
Miss Lester should give her lessons,
and that she should come every day
to practice on the beautiful grand
piano. Millie was an affectionate
child. and she almost worshiped the
kind friend who had opened a new and
delightful world to her. and her CRATE
full little heart lOnged to do something
in return. 1t all seemed quite impos-
sible, but it was destined to be real
ICED beyond her fondest hopes. And
this is the way it came about:
On the following May Judge Han
cocks little girl gave a lawn party and
invited all the children of the village.
Poor little Mile had no dress to
wear, and she sadly admitted it when
Miss Lester asked her if she was GO
ing.
The young lady said no more then,
but Just as Millie had finished her
practicing and was preparing to go
home. her teacher came into the room
with a lovely gown in her hand.
It was pink cashmere. embroid-
cred with tiny sprays of lilies of the
valley.
Margaret smiled at Miles admira-
ton. but there were tears in her eyes
as she said half to herself: "What
happy days I have seen in that dress"
and then continued, as Mile looked a
her inquiringly: "My father bought it
for me the winter we spent in Paris.
I wore it on my birthday, and we had
little fete; we four only, my mother,
and father and-one friend"
''What a lovely present! and did YOU
have other presents on your birth
day?" asked Mile, who loved to hear
of those gala days which she had never
known
"Oh. yes. books and candy, and doz-
ems of pink roses and masses of lilies
of the valley to match my gown, and
beautiful diamond locket, containing
a miniature"
"Oh. Miss Lester may see the lock-
et?" asked the child, eagerly.
Her friend looked suddenly grave
and stern as she said: "No. I haven't
1t on now" and Mile, though longing
to know if il were lost, or what its
fate. dared ask no more questions But
the next moment, the young lady sur
prised her by telling her she was to
have the gown and wear il to the chill
dren's party, and inviting her then and
there to go t o the dressmaker's TO have
her measure taken, so that the work
of making over the dress could be be-
gun at once.
At last the day came. and when 81
was really dressed in all her finery,
her delight knew no bounds.
How lovely Mile looked, and how
she enjoyed staring at herself in her
friends long mirror. 1t was hard TO
tell which was the prettier sight. the
child herself. or her innocent delight
in her appearance.
The party itself was fairyland 10 her,
with the beautiful lawn and garden.
lighted by Chinese lanterns as dark
ness fell. the luxurious mansion. the
gayly dressed children. and best Of all
the music for a small orchestra was
provided. and there was dancing on
the broad piazza.
There was a lull in the music while
the performers were having refresh
ments, and Mile was playing an ex-
citing game of drop the handkerchief
in the summer house, when n child
came running to join them. AS he took
his place in the ring, he said: Mrs
Hancock wants some one to play for
Going 10 Jerusalem and was afraid
she would ask me, SO ] got out of it
Somebody told her that you could play
Mile Currier, but she does not know
where you are, so you are all right"
Mile flushed at the mere thought of
playing before so many people, and she
was tempted to remain where she was
but Miss Testers influence made itself
felt. She did not formulate il, but she
felt unconsciously that since her kind
teacher had done so much for her, Il
was only right she should make some
: use of what had been so generously
given her. And SO, despite the remon