Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1920-07-08
,HATCHED CHICKENS,
BY MAlSIE BIRMINGHAM.
SSSSSSeSeSS SeSeSSSSeSeSe


nave the little chickens Matched out
early. SO ike the young life OF
spring"
$50 do l." June answered eagerly
"And, oh, auntie. the young flowers
and the blue sky. Would blue look
well on me-blue in a hat. sky blue
with bright flowers on the crownY
Her companion Strengthened from
her task.
Just because it's spring." she ad.
monished sternly. sis no reason You
should go sky-larking with foolish
ideas"
But auntie." the girl protested hot.
ly. Everybody needs haiti"
Il wouldn't care If II weren't for
the recital. And Larry will be there.
They say that lin the spring young
mans fancy"
A blush and glriish laugh halted
her speech.
She half ran down the short street
and rushed painting into the store OF
the little milliner.
Miss Vanetta," she called impetu-
ously, would a hat the color of the
spring sky cost very much and would
you let me pay for it when my chick
ems are hatched?'
The little milliner turned smilingly.
You know the old proverb," she ad-
monished with warning finger. Don't
count your chickens before they"
Have feathers enough to trim a
hat" laughed the girl But, oh, Miss
Vanetta, the MINISTRIES are to give a
recital and I'm to play. They'll all
be dressed beautifully, while I'll have
nothing but my decreplt old clothes.
And somebody will be there Who"
With a gentle hand the mllliner
stroked back the nnruly curls.
II know, dear" she encouraged the
youthful confidant. Somebody who is
TO be h0nored, besides many others
who love you. But, my child, don't
have your gown too long"
"Too long" gasped the girl. 'But
/ haven't any, Miss vanetta, and no
prospects of any, either"
Nov let me see" unused the friend
ly little listener with one finger tap
ping the table while her eyes gliseened
triumphantly.
She crossed the room and drew
shimmering piece of soft silk from her
fragrant cedar chest.
"Oh, Miss Vanetta," June exclaimed
with a catch in her throat How
much would | have to pay for that
Cinderella gown
The woman considered with her
finger to her lips. Then she tip
toed to the girl and whispered softly:
Dear friend Indeed, / would do
that and more for this wonderful
poets dream of a gown. No French
girl in all gay Paree could boast of one
so sweet"
Not a person 1t seemed from all the
town was missing, for Lawrence Lane,
who had made himself famous as
player of the guitar, was coming.
Aunt Priscilla took her place In the
audience with an unbending frown.
Yet after she had watched the par
Elephants in the concert she began to
feel troubled and uneasy.
II wonder If | dare to look" she
murmured, brokenly. Thea, "If her
dress is poor, her music is nothing to
be ashamed of, June isn't TO blame
because her old aunt is tyrant."
She raised her eyes to the platform
and gasped. Not her little, old-fash-
toned June Day stood there playing
with far-off, happy, smile but
fairy from the forest with a piece of
the summer sky for her gown and
spray of forest roses for her hat.
The applause was tremendous.
Bewildered and not understanding
Aunt Priscilla was standing alone when
her hand was seized in a warm clasp.
Looking up she saw Judge Good
watching her with tender gaze.
Priscilla" he pleaded, when / saw
your niece tonight she looked so like
your sister that | was carried back to
the time when you and she and 1
walked through the springtime fields
together. l was your devoted sutton
then and / am today. win you marry
me now, although there's silver
threads among the goldT"
With a Hurried, nervous gesture she
loosed her hand.
Il guess perhaps | can" she whis-
pered back. MY chickens are all
hatched- unexpected. There's nothing
but June to keep me now"
AS if in answer 10 her name the girl
appeared.
Don't think me dsobedient, auntie,"
she said quietly. Little Miss Vanetta
helped me 70 make this dress and hat.
My only payment was to play for her
day after day. She and her sweet
heart used to sing together before
they quarreled. That was why
played those sweet melodies so well to
night. They will never be separated
again because | coaxed his address
from her and sent him ticket for my
recital They are sitting there. The
spring has claimed another bride be-
sides you. dear auntle."
1.-TWO others" said a deep voice By
her side Aunt Priscilla, your June