The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-11
A MAY DAY GUEST

Gfeenway county. and such a mistake
wal altogether possible. A second
glance at the smiling face brought
Minnie to firm conclusion. This
indeed. was not the blind Cousin Ann
The morning was very happily
spent. Minnie and her new-found reia-
tive friend laughing and chatting over
At lunch time Dilly came up from
the washhouse and prepared a nice
repast.
Come out to lunch, Miss Minnie.
she called from the doorway.
"All right, Dilly." Minnie replied.
Come on. Cousin Ann" she added as
Il guess you're hungry, too"
Indeed / am. I'm always hungry
when / visit your bluegrass country
kin, for you've such lovely fare. But
wait n moment, my dear. ! fear
can't find my way" said the lady, who
had not arisen from her chair since
she had arrived.
ut just through the hall to that
south room. Minnie, who had forgotten
the possibility of her guests blindness,
replied carelcssly, leading the way.
But I can't see. you know" was
the gentle reminder. Come, let me
lean on YOU"
20, you're not the blind Cousin
Amir Poor dear. poor dear!" Minnie
cried before she could stop the i'm
pulsiye. trem bling words and the sud
den tears which welled up to her own
clear-visioned eyes.
Yes. my dear: there's no other
Cousin Ann Chester but me. Who did
you think / was?" was the simple
query as the guest placed hand on
her hostess arm.
20, I thought thought" Minnie
tried to choke q sob. I've never been
with blind person before, and you
seem so happy and 80 altogether bright
and lovely that I Just concluded that
you weren't the same cousin, and that
in some way l had been mistaken
about the blindness. O dear. I'm so
sorry, so sorry"
Don't you be sorry for me, my
dear. There now" the blind woman
answered consolingly, patting the
strong arm upon which she was lean
ing. You're so young and haven't
learned some of 1ife's greater, harder
Lessons. Life Is so full of affection.
Let us not be afraid of It. for a brave
heart can never really be afflicted"
In the pretty dining room. where
the tempting repast was spread. Miss
Chester resumed the CHEEKY converse
ton and ate heartily; but Minnie could
summon no appetite. She was learn
ing a great lesson of life as she
watched her wonderful guest and lis
tened to the interesting things she
had to tell.
Now | must rehearse my song for
the May Day party ! want to run
over it for the last time" Minnie an
nounced when she and her cousin had
gone from the dining room into the
music room and she had taken her
place at the piano stool
80 that's dear old familiar song
OF my childhood. I've known 1t al
ways and you sing it well, my dear
said Cousin Ann when the music had
died away But it's lots easier to
sing when some one plays your ac-
compartment for you. I've known the
air always. Let me play it for you
this time. and wen run over the song
once more to be sure that everything
is just right"
20, ! didn't know that you played
or would have asked you sooner"
Minnie explained surprisedly. Yes,
please do play it over for me. I've
besp so worried about my song, for
my Accompanst. Miss Grant. is Ill, and
there's nobody TO take her place. 1t
will look real odd for the May queen
to play her own accompaniment at the
little organ which is to be placed upon
the lawn, and. as you say it's lots
easier to sing when some one else
plays for you"
Without reply Cousin Ann began
the air, and Minnie sang the song
The accompa niment was the best she
Ie n I'd do MI a
for me il you don't mind" the hostess
requested; and the guest. running her
fingers lightly over the keys, fell into
a dainty. light air, so full of sprightly
music, so exquisitely rendered that
the listener was fairly enchanted. 90
you play more beautifully than any
body / ever heard before in all my
life. / wonder'-Minnie hesitated
here-"I wonder if you'd mind going
with me to the May Day party and
playing my accompaniment"
ut would make me very happy to
do this for you. and I'd enjoy the
songs and the party" the musician
quickly agreed. You like my play
ing because ! like to play. Music has
been the consoling voice in my life"
The May queen was very happy at
the May Day party. The occasion was
a glad one, made all the gladder by
the presence of her wonderful May
Day guest.
Our gratitude to those who have
given us the higher joys. or shown the
way to- them, will not be properly
expressed till it has made us. in our
turn, of their order of toy-bringers
We, too, must have the highest that
we may give the highest. What good
for us to love our neighbor as our
self. If ourself, after all. is an inferior
one? We owe II to him, as life's final
and most sacred obligation. that our
relation to him he not only love. but