The herald., 1922-10-26
QUEEN O. THE MAY
BY SADIE M. STUlL

At this startling accusation Grant
Merely halted abruptly. A half jocose
apology sprang to his lips, but with
the next breath he blessed the kind
breeze which had blown the fiimsy
object across his path.
Huddled on the curb was study"
In child life, such as the noted artist
had sought In vain on many quests at
home and abroad.
Don't novel" he commanded, whip
ping out the ever-ready sketching pad.
"Good" as the child remained passive
only her eyes growing big with won
der. "a second more, little lady
and prestol We have a masterpiece In
the rough. Now, then" exultantly re-
turning the pad TO his pocket. We'll
see about that-er-big red rose"
Grant could scarcely repress smile
as the child held up sadly crushed
replica Of the natural flower In cerise
tissue paper.
Mother made it"-with pride that
went straight to Grants heart.
Grants smile gained the mastery,
but his tone was duly apologize:
swell then, Miss Kittie, what do you
say to becoming my model? Oh. don't
mean to begin work this very
minute"
The little maid had shaken out the
vari-colored streamers attached to her
faded Bingham dress. "rll go with you
now. want to earn some money right
away. The dispensary doctor told
Mother she oughtn't to go back to work
this week and now she needn't"
An hour later Sister Clarice received
them In the studio.
To Kittie that ornately furnished
room proved a veritable Wonderland.
Now. she gazed In awe at a noble
Mohawk chief-then, smiled back at a
dainty little Hub miss. with huge blue
bow atop her golden curls. But 1t was
when she faced the portrait beneath
the rich Oriental canopy that Kittie
uttered an ecstatic little-"OhT
She caught a warning glance from
Sister Clarice. The instant Grant left
them alone Kittie preached the sub
ject.
The girl Of the picture had been
Grants sweetheart once. Kittie did not
like the sound Of that "once." She was
sure Sister Clarice did not like 1t.
either-there was such sorrowful re-
gret In her gentle voice.
Just then Grant returned to an
nounce the car waiting to take Miss
Kittie home.
Sister Clarice kissed her warmly
and whispered: IL have planned a
little party out to my place tomorrow.
Besides your young playmates. you
may bring your mother or some very
dear friend"
Kittie's little heart leaped joyously.
And at seven that evening the proud
mistress Of palatial uptown mansion
was surprised, to say the least. on
entering her daughters boudoir, to
confront a grotesque little figure in
faded gingham and fluttering paper
streamers.
"Who won't you entertain next, Eliz-
abethT" she expostulated weakly.
"why. mother, l am not doing the
honors' on this occasion" serenely re-
piled her daughter. "Kitty has come
to invite me to her May Party"
II was Kittie who proposed that
they crown Miss Elizabeth Queen O.
the May. Mid the cheers Of the
young merrymakers the ceremony was
enacted.
Watching from afar Grant noted the
Incompatible grace with which Eliza
beth received the homage Of her d.
minutive subjects. He waited until
the youngsters started second raid
on the greenhouses. then, with quick.
ening heartbeats, crossed the lawn.
MAY I claim the days privilege and
offer my poor homage, oh. most beaute-
Gus Queenf
The limpid gray eyes did not waver
before his reproachful gaze.
"Ah, your majesty, do you remember
as I do-that other May day-when
q group of village lads and lassies
crowned you their Queen? II was
who placed the wreath upon your head
that day." A note Of bitterness hard.
ened the manly voice-''Before another
May day your father had become q
factor In the Industrial life Of a great
city-while remained the small town
toiler and dreamer; dreaming Of q
future whose brightness you were ia
share.
"Then, one dark day your father de
molished the poor dreamer's every ali
castle, treating his suit as utter pre-
sumption In the light Of your social
elevation. Not long afterwards I saw
you on the avenue-a gorgeous butter
hy Of fashion-all frills and laces. My
heart seemed to die within me.
realized your father was right. I had
been presumptuous-aye, mad"
A soft hand stayed further utter
ance.
"Ah, boy, dear. in your wounded
pride you were unjust to the heart be
meath those frills and laces-the same
heart that beat beneath the simple
pinafors that other May day"
"Bethw
A few minutes later Kittie marched
past them at the head Of her flower
bedecked playmates. The little maids
step took on an added dignity, for she
r