The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1893-04-01

hopelessly reviewing her scanty posses
sions. At all times money was scarce
in the shabby home, and the pennies
that had fallen to JAMES lot were pitt
fully few. In a little pasteboard box
in the bureau drawer at home lay a
thin three-cent piece, a copper Cana
dian coin, and two shining yellow
cents. As regarded this small hoard, a
Bermuda lily was about as unattain-
able as the crown jewels of England.
An exceeding bitter sigh welled up
from the child's heart, and she twisted
uneasily in her chair.
The slight change in her position
brought her into a shaft of ruby light,
which fell from the stained-glass win
dow upon her slender ungloved hands.
At sight Of the rudy glow she started,
and an expression of pain fitted across
her face. 1t reminded her of the scar
let flowers clasped in little Alice's
hands. Soon she would carry the little
geranium to mark the tiny nameless
grave.
But with the thought was linked an
other. Should not this precious plant
be offered instead as her Easter sacri-
fee? She turned a little pale and drew
in a quick breath. Could this offering
be required of her? It had beer her
one comfort in those days of loneliness
and longing to think that soon the
sturdy plant would stand as a visible
link between herself and the baby sis
ter in the unseen world.
Il can't rob Alice. Besides, thew
wouldn't want it anyway, among their
lilies" With this thought she COM
forted herself, but not for long. "She
loved to hear about the class" came
the second thought. sAlice would have
wanted me to give it. She doesn't need
it now"
The class was rising for the closing
hymn, and jamie slipped from her seat
with the rest. A solemn triumph IL
Illuminated the earnest face, whereat
Miss Eaton wondered.
bid it good-by," and jamie held up
the blooming geranium for her mother
to take a parting look. Her lips quiv-
cred and her eyes filled with tears.
You think it right that / should give
it?" she whispered, TREMENDOUSLY.
Yes, dear. God bless the sacrifice
to you, my darling!" and Mrs. Turner,
holding the lamp high to light the
stairs, watched jamie out of sight.
1t was Easter eve, and when jamie
passed from the mild darkness of the
night into the dimly-lighted church,
she found many a busy group already
absorbed in their labor of love. About
the font the gay girls of her own class
were assembled, wreathing it's marble
wilderness with garlands of white lilies
under Miss Eaton's direction.
jamie crept timidly up the broad
aisle, and stood close to the busy group
before her presence was noted. At an
exclamation of one of the girls, Miss
Eaton glanced up to see the shy face
peeping out above the brilliant bios
SONS.
why, Janie!" she said, and went to
meet her with outstretched, welcoming
hands.
Perhaps you can put 1t in some cor
ner. 1t is all | can give" Her voice
broke, and one irrepressible tear rolled
down the %imploring face. 81 was go
ing to put II IN Alice's grave-but she
would rather it would come here. And
you said-we-we were to give UP
something"
Before Miss Eaton could speak she
had turned and run swiftly down the
church and ont into the quiet night.
Miss Eatonr' exclaimed Blanche
always the first to speak-'.surely you
are not going to put that common gerdn-
tam with the ~lilies.' The horror of
her tones was reflected in the seven
faces.
Let me tell you its history first."
and Miss Eaton's face was strangely
moved as she seated herself on the pull
pit step with the little plant in her
arms.
And to the listening circle she told
the story of Janie's treasure, aud the
little dead child who had loved it so
well. II think. girls" she said, in
conclusion, our dear Lord would say
of jamie, as He once said of another:
She hath dome what she could!'"
With tear-wet eyes Blanche impul-
sively lifted the geranium and set it in
the midst Of the white glory. And
there 1t shone. a spot of fire amid the
snowy garlands, when, on the golden
Easter morn, the church was filed
with earnest worshipers. And many
wondered at the sight, but in the seat
by the door knelt a woman and a child
with happy tears.
One more surprise was yet in store
for jamie ere the day was past Late
in the afternoon two shabby figures
passed in at the cemetery gate and
made their way to a distant corner,
where lay a little unmarked grave be-
side a longer mound. JAMES heart
ached still, as she thought of the bur-