Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1902-06-27
-, i,tSi. ''r N'
4 Romance OF
a Pink Gown
BY ALICE JOSEPHINE JOHNSON.

Mllue nau no piano, anu tHe auHt Nith
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
cesntry air wpuld 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.
,Millie had been one of her first
friends in, HArdwick, for the child used
to lifiGer' outside the house to listen
sas.sbe 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 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
lied beyond her fondest hopes. And
this is the way it came about:
On the following May Judge Han
cocks little girl gave lawn party and
invited all the children of the village.
Poor little Millie 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
practicjng and was preparing to go
home, her teacher came into the room
With lovely gown in her hand.
1t was pink cashmere. embroid-
cred with tiny sprays of lilies of the
valley.
Margaret smiled at Miles admira-
tion, 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 Millie looked 1T
her inquiringly: "My father bought it
for, me the winter we spent in Paris.
wore it on my birthday, and we had
a little fete; we four only, my mother,
and father and-one friend"
"What lovely present! and did you
have other presents on your birth
day?" asked Mills, who loved to hear
of those gala days which she had never
known - :
4 \
ems of pink roses and masses of lilies
of the valley to match my gown, and
a beautiful diamond locket, containing
u miniature"
"Oh, Miss Lester, may see the lock-
et?" asked the child, eagerly.
Der ,friend looked Suddenly grave
nndastern as She said' mo, haven't
it.on now" and Millie though longing
to knoy il it, We're lost, or what its
fate, dared ask no me re questions. But
the next moment, .he young lady sur
prised her by telling her she was to
have the gown and wear it to the chill
dren's party, and inviting her then and
there t0 SJsto the dressmaker's to have
her measure taken. so that the work
of making over the dress could be be-
qua at once.
At last the day came, and when she
was really dressed in all her finery,
her delight knew no bounds.
dtow lovely lIillie looked, and how
she enjoyed staring at herself in her
friends long mirror! 1t was hard to
tell which was. the prettier sight, the
chHd herself, or her innocent delight
inaher appearance.
The party itself was fairyland to 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 small orchestra was
provided. and there was dancing on
Che broad piazza.
There was lull in the music while
the performers were having refresh,
ments, and Nfillie was playing an ex-
sitting game of drop the handkerchief
In the summer house, when n child
same running to join them. AS he took
his place in the ring, he said: "Nrs
Hancock wants some one to play for
Going to Jerusalem and / was afraid
she would ask me, so / got out of it
Somebody told her that you could play
hiillie Currier, but she does not know
where you are, so you are all right"
Millie flushed at the mere thought OF
playing before so many people, and che
was tempted to remain where she was
out Miss Testers influence made itself
felt. She did not formulate it, but she
feltS unconsciously that since her kind
1eafher bad done so much for her, il
wh4 only right she should make some
usr 4of what had been so generously
iySn her. And SO, despite the remon
str} }nces. of the others, she left tn,
gaIke aud returned to the house.
Mry fimidy'she made known her er
rand to Mrs. Hancock, who smiled 9
KIND approval upon her, as she thanked
her and told her that the children hat
run away, thinking the game was giveI
up. but would probably soon return
In the meantime would not Millie pla,
lap ,.;a.aa y A..