The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-09-01
LITTLE MARJORIE.

s'Why, what is the matter with my
little Marjoriep" 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 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 itself to them, and their
very attitudes expressed misery.
"Why, it isn't funeral, is it?" went
on Aunt Sophie, coming up to the
group in haste.
"Most as bad" answered Marjorie
lifting fearful brown eyes. I'm try
ing to think which one to give away"
ITO give away! Why 1 thought you
loved your dollies far too well to think
of such thing!" cried Auntie.
80 do. That's just what makes
me feel so bad" answered the CULVER
ing lips. Nobody loves them the way
l dom
''Well, tell me all about it, grille, ~
and Aunt Sophie sat down on the floor
and put her arms around Majorie.
''Why must you give away any of
themp" ......
'Well, you know Kitty, don't you?',
said Marjorie, nesting close to Auntie,
and finding it a great relief to confide
her troubles, like all the rest of us.
That little Irish girl round the
cornerP the one with the queer eyes
yes" .. ..
"She's broke her leg" went on the
child, with great sigh. can she'll
have to lie in bed a long time. An
she hasn't any dollies, Auntie; not q
one, even. All little girls need dol
lies, you know, specially when they're
sick. What could | do without Ethel
when l had the measles, don't you
know"
"Of course I do. She was a real
comfort, wasn't she?" and Aunt Sophie
regarded Ethel (who had seen her
best days and was now rather dilapi-
dated) with kindly amusement.
$50 then" Marjorie went on, 81
thought l 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?"
Then I got EN- out, and 10,
Auntie! don't want to give away any
of them! They're my own little chill
dren. How can l give them to some
body else? Look at Ethel now," pick
ing up the eldest of the flock and hold
ing her tenderly "She was the first
one, an she Was so pretty once. An
she's lost the end of her nose, an her
cheeks are all washed off, and her
hairs getting thin, an one arms loose.
Nobody but me would love her now. !
can't let her 60"
can then there's the twins You
gave me those, an there named for
you an mamma. | couldn't separate
them-they've always been together,
an 'twould break their hearts, most
know it would. And they're so cum
ming, Auntie. You couldn't give the
twins away, could you, now?" entreat-
ingly.
''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 little girl that's broke
hers. And Kitty couldn't take care O
her as can. She needs lots of care
poor thing! take her out every day
and can't let her go.
"And Ned-he's my only boy
looking at him lovingly. Il couldn't
spare Ned"
''Well, how about SeraphinaP" said
Aunt Sophie, quietly.
Seraphina was the latest arrival
among the dolls, a very charming
young creature indeed, golden-haireC
and brown-eyed, with cheeks like {
blush rose She was exquisitely
dressed, from the dainty bonnet to thy
pretty bronze boots, with wonderfl.
wardrobe in reserve. Aunt Sophie
knew she was the pride OF Marjorie'i
heart, and wondered what the chile
would say.
"Seraphina," repeated Marjorie
slowly. "Well, perhaps, Seraphint
ought to be the one to go. She's wei
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 should miss her." poor Marjorie
broke of suddenly. Aunt Sophie,
love her dearly! Little girls can
give away their own dOilies any more'I
mothers their own little children.