The Opelousas courier., 1896-10-03

could jest light him with a match ill
he sizzled." Aterrible fear tugged at
Malind's heart. She must shield Dode
if possible. It was q sort of relief to
feel that in shielding him she was saw.
ing herself.
Malind's burns we're tedious, but
she found herself a heroine. Flowers
and fruit, books and toys, were sent
to her. Dode kept his secret well, and
feasted on good things. But some
how the dainties had lost their flavor
for Malind. The knowledge of her
! guilt ranked in her bosom like a
poisoned arrow. Wher her Sunday
school teacher sat by her side and
praised her for not hesitating through
any false shame from taking oft her
wooden skirt she felt miserable. Ii
people would forget it and leave
her in her peace. But even when
alone she found no peace. The knowl-
edge that she was acting a lie ,or-
mented her. Even when she was once
more able to sit up the world did not
look the same to her.
Malind sat listlessly by the window
in the long June twilight looking out.
The latch of the gate clicked and she
saw Mrs. Meeker and Phronie. They
we're followed by Miss Lumley, her
Sunday-school teacher, and the girls
of her class.
"Well, I declare, it's regular depil-
%atioD,' said Mrs. Blinn, pleased and
fussy, ''pears as if sunthin's got to
happen to ye in Canaan fore folks
takes proper notice of other folks.
Well I feel full as good as any of 'em
full as good. Mallnd, you amt
lookin' a bit chick"
The little girl had grown pale and
her heart beat painfully.
Mrs. Meeker hustled in. She held
q large package in her hand.
"We heard you were settin' up an
we'll enough for company" she said,
$50 we thought we'd give you a sur
prise party"
Malind stood up and tried to speak,
but the glands in her throat grew dry
and her tongue was rigid.
Miss Lumley kissed her, and the
girls greeted her additionally, yet
she could not speak.
Mrs. Meeker began opening her
parcel. "Seein' you spilled your frock
savin' my girl" she said, "tain't more
than right for me TO give you another
an l hope you'll like it'll"
She took out a pretty pink bingham
gown handsomely trimmed with en-
broidery.
"Miss Lumley said there must be a
hat to match, SO she bought this"
Mrs. Meeker went on, holding up a
white straw, with a wreath of
pale pink rosebuds around it.
Malind's heart throbbed fast. Never
had she dreamed Of owning such
She gazed at them with long
ing and with pain.
"Speak up, child" cried her mother
impatiently. "where's your man
Malind felt herself trembling. They
were all looking at her, but a haze
seemed to float before her eyes,
through which she saw them dlmly.
II, I can't take them," she gasped,
"She's out of her head" cried Mrs. !
Blinn with a groan. Z
"No, no, I know what I'm do'fI
ing. Idon't deserve then! I don't r
deserve anything. II told the boy
10 throw that cracker at Phronie. It's
Ill my fault that she was bt-ned. I
to be-punlshed." s
"Well, I never" said Mrs. Meeker,
her head, ''that wuz a regular
.mpersition."
81 didn't think-her frock would
AXE fire." said Mallnd, looking about
oeseechlngly for a friendly face.
"You have done right to confess"
laid Miss Lumley, coming forward
md taking the child's hand kindly,
md you have atoned for it."
''To be sure" said Mrs. Meeker.
to the popular side. "Some
olks might be mean enough to take
'ack their present, but I amt that
lind. You done what you could to
make up for your mischief-so there
t is, an what l says I sticks to-"
So the surprise party which had
urpr1sed every one there was a sue
ess after aU--Detroit Free prass