The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-07
! hlii.DlsEl1's hlORNiNu

AlifsDRE1'S MORNiNu
M sILDRED BOND was awakened al
LIVE 6 blythe Poets rooster Growing and
the Seagars's dog barking, combi-
nation of sound that at any time of year
| might have provoked instead of inspir-
| Ing her. But it was April, and besides
winter had wished over night. 1t was
spring, glorious nnbounded spring, and
Mildred felt it in her very soul. She
nprang out of bed and pranced to the
window.
Surely those we're crocuses coming
| up down therei She peered with her
neAr-sigted eyes and wished she had
her glasses at hand. Since she had not
the besy way was to scurry down and
flake closer view. Ten minutes later
she was running down stairs,
As she was alone in the house, her
elder sister, a widow, who lived here
had gone off visiting the day before,
Mildred decided to have her rolls and
coffee before she went out doors. For
once out she was quite sure she sohuld
forget alI about breakfast H
Never had mere coffee and rolls
tsated so good If she had been five
instead of 50 she would have smacked
her lips, providing of course there was
nobody to reprove. As soon as she
had finished the last crumb she rushed
to her crocuses.
'Oh, you loveliest of mornings |" she
sang as she bent above the delicate
silken white and purple things. I'm
going to make the most of every moment
of you. Let's see!
1t being Saturday, / am, of course,
free moral agents shall forget
all about my classes ia English for one
day at least, and devote myself to my
self"
1t was s o'clock before she re-elitered
the house with nothing to show for
her hour and half but a pair Of dirty
hands. She, had drawn the dead leaves
away from Margaret's tulips. Now
what? Dishes-housework? Never Not
till the morning was past, anyway.
III sit down and read that book
I've ben keeping so long-read till I'm
tired. Then ! think l shall make some
cream puffs and carry a plateful to
poor Jenny Mains. Maybe afterward if
the, cream puffs are a success / will
call up Lucy Galbraithe and ask her
to lunch" Lucy was another teacher
who did not always feed off the fat Of
the land where she boarded.
Stretching out upon the davenport
Mildred tucked two pillows behind her
back and opened her book. Nm |!
This was living. To have the window
open a few inches so that the notes Of
the song sparrows could drift in! To
breaothe the good damp arr To be
alone, yet eompanioned in the incest
way possible-that is with good book |!
What mattered Is long years of teach
ing the same thing and apparently get
ting nowhere? This was spring and even
at 80 one had a lot of life and en-
joyment left to one.
Mildred turned a page, became lost
and realized with a start that some one
was speaking to her through the open
window. She turned her head and saw
looking in upon her small vivid face
framed in hot-pressed hair.
Good morning!" laughed a voice
You look cOmfyi I've a great mind
to come in and spoil it ALL
Mildred smiled. This was their next
door neighbor, Mrs. Policy, with whom
Margaret was on fairly good terms. She
had never had time to cultivate Mrs.
Polly as yet, but she thought her suf-
ficiently pleasing whenever she had met
her.
WuH yUu GUlut sSuC dSheu.
''Sure!" The window was raised high
eH and Mrs. Policy came in over the sill,
first one charming foot, silk-stOckinged
and patent leather pumped, then the
other.
where's Sis?' she demanded.
Gone away visiting-won't you sit
DOWN."
Sure" Mrs. Policy took a chair. II
wanted to show your sis something, but
guess you'll have to see it instead"
She aimed a small soft bundle at Mil
dred, which landed in Mildred's lap /;
she was sitting up now.
ooh! Silk stockings" Mildred COM
mented.
Yes. / paid So for 'em, and got
setung. Or what do you think ?'''
lin not n judge, fear" Mildred
felt lamentably unqualified, not yet hav-
ing reached the point where she could
afford stick stockings every day. At
that moment, indeed, she was wearing a
pair of much darned Isle. Hastily she
tried TO make her skirt cover her shabby
ankles.
''These I've got on" Mrs. Policy
stretched out pair of slim feet, cost