Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-06-13

sashes over the stage; And. See there's
a pink bow on every girls chest
The class colors." was the smiling
answer
lit looks like Elizabeth stopped
abruptly Again she stood at her win
dow. eyes uplifted to the wonder and
the beauty OF the early morning. That
was the meaning behind 1t all the
commencement of new day In the
sky; the commencement OF new
striving and achieving In these young
lives: rose colored dreams and amhl-
tons, ribbons of dawn tiuttering with
hope and promise IN every little grad
yates heart
kitty's piece" came at last. She
had been elected valedictoriun OF her
class Elizabeth listened spellbound.
To this idolzlng Judge every thought ia
II was inspired by genius every sen
tence poem in prose. while through
the whole reading ran flashlights III
the child herself Kitty with her first
doll Rugged In her fat little arms. Kit
~ with her first medal won at the
proudly heaylng breast. Kitty with her
hair done up for the first time and the
last tuck out OF her Sunday dimity
And when the good natured house
burst into applause Elizabeth longed
30 stand on her chair and shout. shes
mine. all minew
After the benediction's hush bubbled
u.
Look at the freak in front OF You"
the carelessly high voice drifted over
EliZabeths shoulder red currants.
purple ribbons and dress handed
down from the ark, \ country mother.
| suppose. bobbhg W at commence
ment to humilate poor little gradu-
ate,'
4 crimson spot burned EliZabcth's
cheek. There was mist before her
eyes. and an ache gripped her throat
But SO strong was her habit OF unself-
lshness that she was scarcely con-
scious of her pain. Her one thought
was to slip away before humiliating
Kitty
The opening OF the nearby side door
promised instant escape. and She has
tened toward IT, She did not know that
the band was playing She did not
notice the graduates filing down TO the
same door She did not hear the NUT
tered protests Of the people that she
passed
"One moment. madam" At the door
an usher laid OBTAINING hand upon
her sleeve.
She shrank back as though the daz-
zling white line approaching were AN
npparition Of horror There she stood.
motionless. trapped IN crowd where
Kitty could not fail To recognize her
and lac Inundated! And yet a sudden
JOY leaped In her heart as she felt
Kitty's eyes upon her. II had been so
many months since she had had the
child In her arms. With these con
hlctlng emotions she breathlessly wait.
ed The white line flashed OH un-
broken Kitty had passed her by.
Madam. YOU may go now"
Elizabeth stared vacanily u the ush.
er and tottered out of the pail Life
had ended Kitty-the pride. the prom.
Use ol ail past yeaTS-uo iohEeI uciohE-
ed to her. but to this gay outside world
where she was an intruder THE
child" was ashamed Of her mother
She stumbled on. There was white
blur upon her singing eyes where the
graduates focked ON the campas. then
detached white figure with out.
stretched arms darting toward her.
Mother" cried Kitty. You dear
fraud, you pretending you couldn't
come. When | discovered you al
most broke ranks and ruined the
march"
"But-but Kitty" faltered Eliza
beth. people are looking. and"
II don't care II the whole world secs
me hugglng YOU" laughed Kitty. with
rapturous kiss. "Oh. muzzer. guess
what? I've got the Hillsboro school,
can live az home. and Wen have
servant. and-and you need only twirl
your thumbs for the rest OF your life.
But come. honey. want 10 introduce
you to all the girls"