The daily Alaskan., 1920-08-21
MATCHED CHICKENS
By MAIsIE BIRMINGHAM.
oo oo oooo0ooOoooooooo0o oo 0o 0o

always was my care and custom tl have the little chickens matched ou early. so like the young life ol spring"
 '"SO dO l." June answered eagerly And, oh, auntie, the young flowers and the blue sky. Would blue look well on me-blue In q hat, sky blue with bright flowers on the crOwnT
 Her companion, straightened from her task.
 Just because it's spring" she ad monIshcd sternly, lis no reason you should go sky-larking with foolish ideas"
 But auntle," the girl protested hot Iy. Everybody needs q hat!"
 "I wouldn't care if It weren't for the recital. And Larry will be there They say that in the spring a young mans fancy-"
 A blush and a gIrlIsh laugh halted her speech.
 She half ran down the short street and rushed panting into the store of the little mllliuer.
 Miss Yanetta," she called lmpetu. OuSly. would a hat the color of the spring sky cost very much and would you let me pay for 1t when my chick. ems are hutched?"
 The little milIiner turned smIlingly
 You know the old proverb," she nd. moniShcd with warning finger. Don't count your chickens before they"
 Have feathers enough to trim 6 hat" laughed the girl. But, oh, Miss Yauetta. the miRstreIS are to give a recital and I'm to play. They'll al be dressed beautifully, while I'll havc nothing but my decrepit old clothes. And somebody will be there who"
 With a gentle hand the mIliueT stroked back the uuruly curls.
 "I know, dear" she encouraged the youthful confdant. Somebody who iS to be honOred, besides many others who love you. But, my child don't have your gown too long,"
 "ToO long," gasped the girl. "But I haven't any, Mss Vanetta, and no prospects of any, cither.'
 "Now let me see" unused the friend ly little listener with one finger tap ping ,he sable while her eyes gliStenrd trluuphuutly.
 She crossed the room and drew a shjmmering piece of soft silk from her fragrant cedar chest.
 "Oh Miss VauetJu," June exclaimed with a catch in her throat ''Iiow much would have to pay for that Cinderella sown%
 The woman considered with her finger to her lips. Then Shc tip- tocI to the girl and whispered softly:
 "Dp"r friend. Indeed. would dc that and mOre for this wonderful porrs dream of gown. No French girl in un gay Farce could houst of one so sweet"
 Not u person it seemed from all tue town Was missing, fur Lawrence Lauc w!0 had made himself iuuvGs 0s d player ut the guitar, wHS coming
 Aunt Priscilla tool; her place in yhe audience with an uuhrndw@ fr0wu.
 Yet after Sue had watched tEp par ticiVaulS in Jhr concert she began tu feel ruunlcG and uneasy.
 "l wonder if l dare jo look." sna mumuypI br"Geuly. Then. "II her dress is poor, her music ts uotIUu- tu be ashamed Ul, June isn't lv h.aiuc because her old aunt is a tyraut."
 She raised her eyes 10 Ihr platform and gaSppd. Not hor little. o,d-ta~h. toned June Day stood there playing with taroE, happy Smilc. but 8 fairy from the forest with a p.oco oG the summer sky for her gown and a spray of forest roses for her hat.
 The applause was tremendous.
 BrwiIdcrcd and not understanding Aunt Priscilla was standing alone wHaH her hand was seized in a warm clasp. Looking up she saw Judge Good watching her with tender gaze.
 Priscilla" he pleaded. "when I saw your niece tonight she looked so like your sister that I was carried back to the time when you and She and I walked through the Springtjmc fields together. was your devoted suitor then and l anu today. Will y1u marry me now, although there's silver threads among the godT"
 With a Hurried, nervous gesture she IOUSrd her hand.
 q guess perhaps I cau," she whis. pered back. My chickens are all hatchcd-uucXpcctcd. There's nothing but June Co keep me now"
 As if in answer 10 her name the girl appeared.
 "Don't think lie diSob26'ent, arntie," she said quietly. Little Miss Vanettn helped me tt make this dress and hat. My only payment was to play for her day after day. She and her sweet heart used lo sing together before they quar"rloG That was why 7 played those sweet melodies so well to- night. They will never be separated again because coaXed his address from her and sent him a ticket for my rn,ftaI .,,,, ss,-f.., r1r