Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1922-07-28
QUEEN o. THE MAY
BY SADIE NJ. srvLL

ION, Mister you stepped rlBnt on lie
biggest pink rose and spoiled my May
WREATH"
AT this startling accusation Grant
Merely halted abruptly, half jocose
apology sprnng to his lips hut with
the next breath he blessed the Kind
breeze which had blown the flinsy
object across his pnth.
Huddled on the curb was a study"
In child life, such as the noted artist
had sought In vain on many quests Ut
home and abroad.
Don't novel, he commanded, whip
ping out the eyer-ready sketchlng pad.
"Goodr as the child remained passive
only her eyes growing big with won
der. "A second more, little lady
and prestol We have masterpiece In
the rough. Now, them eXultnntly re-
turning the pad TO his pocket Wen
see about that-er--bIg red rose.
Grant could scarcely repress n smile
as the child held up a sadly crushed
replica of the natural flower in cerise
tissue paper.
Mother made it"-with a pride that
went straight to Grants heart.
Grants smile gained the mastery,
but his tone was duly apologetIc:
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 "1'll go with you
now. want to earn some money right
away. The dlspensary doctor told
Mother she oughtn't to 90 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 veritabe Wonderland.
Now, she gazed In awe at 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 ecstatlc little--"Oh|
She caught a warning glance from
Sister Clarlce. 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 It,,
either-there was such sorrowful re
greet In her gentle voice.
Just then Grant returned to an
rounce the car waiting to take Miss
Kittie home.
Sister Clarice kissed her warmly
and whispered: 81 have planned a
little party out to my place tomorrow.
Besides your young playmates, you
may bring your mother or some very
dear friend"
Kitties 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 grotesque little figure In
faded gingham and futtering paper
streamers.
"Who won't you entertain next, Eliz-
abeth?" she expostulated weakly.
"Why, mother, am not doing the
honors' on this OCCASION" serenely re.
piled her daughter. kitty has come
to invite me to her May Party"
It 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 di-
minutive subjects. He waited until
the youngsters started a second raid
on the greenhouses, then, with quick
ening heartbeats, crossed the lawn.
"May claim the days privilege and
offer my poor homage, oh, most benute-
: GUS Queen"
The limpid gray eyes did not wavcr
before his reproachful gaze,
"Ah, your majesty, do you remember
AS | do-that other May dny-when
group OF village lads mud lassies
crowned you their Queen? 1t was
who placed the wreath upon yonr head
that day" note Of bitterness hard.
ened the manly yolce-"Before another
May day your father had become n
factor In the Industrial life of n great
clty-whle | remained the small town
toller and dreamer; dreaming Of a
future whose brightness you were ia
Share.
Then, one dark day your fnther de-
molshed the poor drcamer's every air
castle, treating his suit as utter pre-
sumption in the light of your social
elevation Not long afterwards snw
you on the avenue gorgeous butter
fly of fashlon--all frills and lnces My
heart seemed to die within me
realized your father was right. 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 he
npnth those frills mud laCpS-thp suiup