The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-23

about 1t, for 1t peeped down at us as If 1t heard. But-lookiel It went to nest-there, hidden beneath that thick bunch of leaves at the right of that long limb? And, as sure as I am here, there are wee birdies in that nest. See? They are sticking up their heads, ask ing the singer for a bite. Oh, the pretty dearsl"
 Well, I didn't know there was nest In that spot" said little Lottie, getting up to have better look at the little birdhouse so nearly hidden in the leaves. well, isn't 1t there for sure?" she declared. And I wonder where the mother bird Is? That singer-with the white spot in his vest-must be the father bird. An, there comes the moth- er!' And little Lottie pointed towards quick winged little birdie that flew into the tree, going direct to the nest
 But at this moment Annabelle's mother called for her to come home, and the tea party was broken up. Daisy had come with Annabelle and, of course, must depart with her.
 Why must you go so soon?" asked little Lottie, not having had half enough tea party. Ask your mamma If you can't stay just five minutes longer.'
 But Annabelle's mother again called from her home, across the street, saying: Come, dearie it's going to storm. Just see the great black clouds, and hear the distant thunder! Come, hurry home, for we shall have to take Daisy to her home In the phaeton. I fear the storm will be upon us within half an hour"
 "Oh, then I must take all my things In at once," said little Lottie Then taa toh dtcba chairs and many other little bits of playhouse furnishings. But in her hurry she forgot tiny basket, In which she had carried cookies to the playhouse, but which had been emptied by the three little ladies during tea. The bas. ket had been tossed down on the grass several feet from where the hostess and guests had spread their table, and in that way escaped little Lottie's notice when she gathered up her playthings. And so 1t remained in the grass, wait ing for the storm to come and fill it.
 And pretty soon the storm came on in awful fury, blowing a gale and drenching with rain the hungry, hot soil It was A glorious storm to look at, but awful to be caught out In. Little Lottie stood in the bay window of the library watching 1t, and felt great anxiety for the birds In the tall walnut tree. And while she was wondering if they were safe a ter rife gust of wind caught the tall tree by it's full top and bent 1t to the earth as though 1t were a mere weed. .Oh, those dear little birdies." cried little Lot tie, her face full of pity and anxiety. "Oh I wonder if they were hurt-killed! !! And that dear singer who has serenaded us so many, many days. Perhaps he'll never sing again. Oh, 1t Is so sad to have those dear, helpless things hurtl Oh, the wicked, wicked stormi"
 And so little Lottie worried over the fate of the birds in the tall walnut tree, waiting with impatience for the storm to subside, so that she might run out and investigate the harm done
 But the storm did not abate till 1t was quite dark and then little Lottie could not go out into the grass, for it was, to use her own language, swimming in water" Indeed, the rain had come down in torrents and had filled up every little hollow spot. making pretty miniature