The Sneedville news. (Sneedville, Tenn.) 191?-19??, 1922-06-16
QUEEN o. THE MAY
BY SADIE NJ. STulL

| Dlggest PINK rose anu spOlleu my MAY
wreath"
AT this startling accusation Grant
Morely halted abruptly. A half jocose
apology sprung to his lips, but with
the next breath he blessed the kind
breeze which had blown the filmsy
object across his path.
Huddled on the curb was study
I'm child life. such as the noted artist
had sought I'm vain on many quests Vt
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 presto! We have q masterpiece In
the rough Now. then" exuliantly re-
turning the pad to his pocket. Wen
see about that-er-big red rose"
Grant could scarcely repress a 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 10 Grants heart.
Grants smile gained the mastery.
but his tone was duly apologetic:
"Well then, Miss Kittie. what do you
say to becoming my modelf oh. I don't
mean to begin work this very
minute"
The little maid had shaken out the
vari-colored streamers attached tn her
faded gingham dress. "I'll 60 with You
now. want to earn some money right
away. The dispensaTy 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 veritable Wonderland.
Now. she gaZed In awe mt a noble
Mohawk chief-then, smiled back mt
dainty little Hub miss. with huge blue
bow atop her golden curls. But II was
when she faced the portrait beneath
the rich Oriental canopy that Kittie
uttered an ecstatic llttle-"Ohi"
She caught 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 n,
was such sorrowful re-
greet In her gentle voice.
Just then Grant returned 10 an |
nounce the car waiting to take Miss |
Kittie home.
Sister Clarice kissed her warmly /
and whispered: II have planned : 1
little party out 10 my place tomorrcw.
Resides your young playmates, you
may bring your mother or some very
dear friend"
KittIe's little heart Ieaped joyously.
And at seven that evening the proud
mistress OF n palatial uptown mansion
was surprised. 10 say the least. on
her daughters boudoir. 10
confront grotesque little figure. In
aided Bingham and nuttering paper
itreamers.
"Who won't you entertain next. Eliz-
beth?" she expos.ulated weakly.
"Why. mother. I am not doing the
Ionors' on this occasion" serenely re-
HE'D her daughter. kitty has come
o invite me to her May Party"
II was Kittie who proposed TINT
hey crown Miss Elizabeth Queen a.
he May. Mid the cheers OF the
Dung merrymakers the ceremony was
nacted.
Watching from afar Grant noted the
icomparable grace with which Eliza
eth received the homage Of her d.
linutive subjects lie waited until
ne youngsters started second raid
n the greenhouses. then. with quick
ming heartbeais. crossed tile lawn.
"May I claim the days privilege and
Ter my poor homage. oh. most beaute-
rs QueenT
The llmpid gray eyes did not waver
fore his reproachfuI gaze.
"Ah. your majesty. do you remember
as ! do-ihat other May day-when
group Of village lads and lassles
tNhfb .NN OhffHf WIS u ]
ho placed the wreath upon your hend
nj day" A note OF bitterness hard
ed the manly volce-"Before another
nv day your father had become n
ctor In the Industrial life 81 n great
y-whIle ! remained the small town
Her and dreamer; dreaming ~
ture whose brightness you were to
are.
Then. one dark day your father de-
Wished the poor dreamer's every air
stle. treating his suit ms utter pre-
mption In the light 81 your social
walton. Not long afterwards ! saw
u on the avenue gorgeous butter
Of fashion-all frills and laces. Ny
art seemed TO die within me.
,lized your father was right. ! had
m presumptuous-Hye mad"
A soft hand stayed further utter
re-
'Ah. hoy. dear. in your wounded
de you were unjust 20 the heart he
lth those frills and lsces-ihe same
,rt that beat beneath the simple
sfore that other May day"
BETH"
| few minutes later KIitie marched
{ them az the head OF her flower.
IarkaH r.fawunasas The IfsrIa r-.-gds.