er to choose the Blessed Virgin
for our May-Queen."

"And was that Marion Gaines' plan?" asked Ellen, in surprise.

"Why, yes! But surely she must have told you!" said the little girl.

"I see now that she tried to," replied Ellen, with a sigh at her own
impetuosity. "But I was too vexed to listen. I did not really
understand before. Dry your tears, Abby; I'll do my best to make
amends now. How foolish I've been!" she ejaculated, as Abby ran off in
gay spirits. "And how I must have disedified the other girls! I must
try to make up for it."

She found the verses she had written; and, on looking them over,
concluded that, after all, they needed only the change of a few words
here and there. Then she wrote a little note to Marion, as follows:

"DEAR MARION:--I did not realize until today what you wanted to do
about the May piece. If my verses would be of any use at this late
hour, you are welcome to them. I should like to do all I can to help
now, to make up for lost time."

"ELLEN."

Marion gladly accepted the overtures of peace. The May drama was duly
finished, the rehearsals went on smoothly, and on the last day of the
Month of Mary the performance took place.

It had been rumored in the school that Abby was not to be Queen, and
there was much speculation as to which of the little girls had been
selected instead. As the drama progressed, and the plan was unfolded,
the audience was taken completely by surprise. Everyone had been eager
to see the May-Queen; but there was a general murmur of appreciation
when, at the close, the curtain rose upon a beautiful tableau; a shrine
glittering with many lights, in the midst of which was enthroned a
lovely image of Our Lady, at whose feet the children laid their crowns
of flowers--a crown to honor each transcendent virtue,--and paid their
homage to their beautiful Queen of May.

A few days later Father Dominic called at the Claytons.

"Well, children," he asked, incidentally, "have you done anything to
please the Blessed Virgin during the past month?"

Abby and Larry were silent, but their mother kindly answered:

"I think they have tried, Father Dominic. And as for your lovely
May-Day gift, the presence of the statue seems to have drawn down a
blessing upon the house."

TILDEREE.

I.

Quite happy indeed was the home of Tilderee Prentiss, though it was
only a rough log house on a ranch, away out in Indian Territory. Her
father was empl