The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1888-09-14
ETHELINDA.

Marjorie ?" said Aunt Sophie in surprise,
as she entered the sitting-room one bright
spring afternoon.
Marjorie was sitting On the floor in the
corner, with a very unhappy face. Before
her, ranged in a row, were her six dolls,
the treasures of her heart, at whom she
was gazing so mournfully it really seemed
as if her detection had communicated it
self to them, and their very attitudes ex-
pressed misery.
"Why, it isn't a funeral, is it ?" went on
Aunt Sophie, coming up to the group in
haste.
"Most as bad" answered Marjorie, lift
ing fearful brown eyes. "I'm trying to
think which one to give away"
''To give away! Why l thought you
loved your dollies far too well to think of
such a thing cried Auntie.
$50 do. That's just what makes me
feel so bad" answered the quivering lips.
"Nobody loves them the way I dor
"Well, you know Kitty, don't you9"
said Marjorie, nesting close to Auntie,
and finding it a great relief to conide her
troubles, like all the rest of us.
THAT little Irish girl round the corner?
the one with queer e~yes-yes."
"She's broke her leg" went on the child,
with a sigh. can she'll have to lie in bed
a long time. An she hasn't any dollies,
Auntie, not a one, even. All the little
girls need dollies, you know, specially
when they're sick. What could l do with
out Ethel when l had the measles, don't
you know"
"0f course | do. She was a real CON-
fort, wasn't she ?" and Aunt Sophie re-
garded Ethel (who had seen her best days
and was now rather d%iIapidated) with kind
ly amusement.
$50 them" Marjorie went on, Il Thought
I ought to give her one of mine. 'Tisn't
right for me to have six and her not have
any, Auntie-"
"No," assented Auntie. "And then -
s'Then l got 'em out, and TO, Auntie.
l don't want to give away any of theml
They're mg own little children. How can
I give them to somebody else? Look at
Ethel now" picking up the eldest of the
flock and holding her tenderly. "She was
the first one and she was so pretty once.
An she's lost the end of her nose, an her
checks are all washed off, and her hairs
! getting thin, an one arms loose. Nobody
but me would love her now | can't let
her co.
can then there's the twins. You gave
me those, an they're named for you an
mamma. Icouldn'tseparate them-they'ye
always been together, an 'twould break
their hearts, most know it would. And
they're so cunning, Auntie. You couldn't
give the twins away, could you. now 81
e~ntreatingly.
"And here's Josephine. She's such an
invalid, it wouldn't ever be right TO send
her away-she's lost her leg, you know,
where Beppo chewed it up-'specially to a
little girl that's broke hers. And Kitty
couldn't take care of her as I can. She
needs lots of care, poor thing. take her
out every day; and I can't let her go.
"And Ned-he's my only boy" look
ing at him lovingly. 81 couldn't spare
Ned"
"Well, how about ~Seraphina?: ?" said
Aunt Sophie quietly.
~Seraphina was the latest arrival among
the dolls, a very charming young creature
indeed, golden-haired and brown eyed,
with checks like a blush rose. She was
exquisitely dressed, from the dainty bonnet
to the pretty bronze boots, with a wonder
full wardrobe in reserve. Aunt Sophie
knew she was the pride of Marjorie's
heart, and wondered what the child would
say.
"Seraphina,' repeated Marjorie, slowly.
"Well, perhaps Seraphina ought TO be the
one to go. She's well and strong, and
she's so pretty, | know 'twould most stop
Hitty's leg from aching just to look at her.
And she hasn't lived here so long; so, Per
haps, she wouldn't miss me so much-but
l should miss her." poor Marjorie broke
off suddenly. "Aunt Sophie, | love her
dearly! Little girls can't give away their
own dollies any more'nmothers their own
little children" And here Marjorie really
began to cry a little.
Aunt Sophie didn't say anything. She
only held the little girl close, and stroked
the soft hair gently, and presently the
child said in a penitent little voice "But
I want Kitty to have one, Auntie-l truly
do. Do you think it would be selfish if
keep all my six, and take my little gold
dollar that Uncle Jack gave me, and buy
her a new dolly for her own self? He said
to buy anything | wanted, Uncle Jack did,
and I'd rather give it to Kitty than have
anything myself. Would that do, do you
think?n
'sThat will do charmingly," said Aunt
Sophie, kissing her. Come, let's go up
stairs and ask mamma this very minute,
and we'll go down street and buy the
young lady at once. Then we can dress
her and take her down to Kitty directly.
Let me see suppose we measure Seraphi-
ma, and get one that can wear some of her
clothes; she has so many. Yon're willing
to sacrifice one of Seraphina's dresses, aren't
you?"
esOh. clothesr' cried Marjorie, eagerly;