The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-12-21
BLUEBIRD MAIDS
By MARY DAVIS.

| dropping the bag OF gum drops into
the waste paper basket that she nearly
missed seeing Lois Parker shake her
head vigorously at Cassie Swan. who
looked ready to cry over something.
Fortunately she turned her head
Just in time. The fairy book was for
gotten as she began TO consider the
case with her clear little brains. She
knew she was Castles dearest friend.
and she had been secretly hoping
that Cassie would insist upon having
| her in the "Bluebirds,' Cassie had
been so sunny and happy as they
walked to school together that Beth
! Louise felt almost sure that she would
know the wonderful secret that day.
But now Cassie's face told another
story. Beth Louise puckered her pref
! ty, smooth, white forehead into a
| hundred tiny wrinkles, but she could
not think why the girls would not let
| her be Bluebird Maid.
! Just then little Helene Grants soos
broke the silence of the schoolroom.
II don't know how to do the last three
examples she walled. Some Of the
children giggled, but Beth Louise was
| learning how uncomfortable 1t was
TO be unhappy. She raised her hand
again.
! please, Miss Amory. MAY I help
herr" she begged.
| SO the best scholar and the darling
Ounce tiptoed out into the cioakroom.
and before the bell rang, tbs Ounce
could do that kind OF example as well
as anybody In the school. Miss
Amory kissed both the flushed little
teacher and the Ounce, another puZ-
zling but very pleasant thing.
well said Beth Louise to herself
as she trotted briskly home. If can't
be a Bluebird can help Miss Amory'
so theret"
| 1t was very exciting TO be helper
to Miss Amory. The slow children
'began to ask her to explain examples
before school. She almost forgot
the mysterious Blueblrds until one
| afternoon a tiny white envelope
dropped out of her geography, A
| on the envelope, and on the little
! sheet of notepaper on which was
printed IN shaky. spidery looking let
! ters:
"A Bluebird Maid is always quick
To carry cheer to the poor or sick.
We fancy that little Halle Nudge
Would enjoy box Of marshmailow
fudge"
| That night Beth Louise ran homo
from school so fast that 1t seemed
as II she might have had bluehird
wings on her heels. The candy was
made and cooling in a plate on the
pantry window Sill before the clock
struck four, She packed it In the very
prettiest box she could find, and
rushed off down the hill TO Hallie's
house. She meant to pass 1t in at the
Halle was at the window, and smiled
and beckoned, so Beth Louise went
slowly in.
1t was hard conundrum why Hal
lie kept SO happy. She seemed to
have a hundred and one reasons for
crying. All day long she was a prt-
Isoner In little bare room. Some days
she sat in chair by the window. and
| other long, weary days she lay quietly
in the little cot bed Yet the corners
Of her droll little mouth were always
| turned up In a merry little smile Her
keen, gray eyes spanked. and the
! droll mouth smiled a warm welcome
at Beth Louise.
Beth Louise Of all people! And
candy for me! And I believe that's
the prettiest box I ever saw. Why, l
can't say my thank you" hard
enough"
Beth Louise did not answer for
minute she was thinking hard over
the problem, "If had to sit in chair
all day long. what should I want my
callers to do?" AS soon as she hal
the answer she drew up her chair very
near to Hallie's
Would you like me to tell fairy
stores?" she asked gently.
Would I like it?" laughed Halle
breathlessly. And then she and Beth
| Louise made quick escape from the
dingy shabby room, and went on JOY
Gus adventures In the golden country
of fairyland for a whole hour.
1t was dark in the little room when
the two rovers returned.
| "I must CO." cried Beth Louise,
but I'm coming in before school to-
morrow morning an dbring you some
| company.
Guess she forgot" sighed Halle
/ the next morning. when the merry
troop of school children scampered
by the window.
Just then the door was opened
and very breathless Beth Louise
appeared. She placed large bird
cage on the table, and laid fat
shabby, brown book in Hallie's lap.
Mother says that If you won't take
Dick, the, Angora kitten will" she
painted. I'D have brought the kitten.
| but mother said you have to walt
| on a cat as much as baby. and she
thought you'd like the bird better.
| And that's the very best fairy book.
oh. dear I know I'll be late" She
paused at the door TO call back, TN
stop In tonight on my way home.
| The schoolbell was lust ringing as
Beth flew into the yard.
But Cassie had just time to pin
her little enamel pin on Beth Louise's
| blue blouse.
We're going to initiate you apd
| Halle tonight said Louise Parker
importantly.
X Cassie tucked her arm lovingly in
/ Beth Louise's. They wouldn't In
! vite you before because q Bluebird
Maid has to have a kind heart, but
knew right along you did"
IT WAS too late to answer. but Beth