The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-08-13

can 1lX over my Old silk again, ant
Jessic's shall be the prettiest can get.
She told the girl the next morning
and Jessie received the gift in her usua
quiet way. 1t never occurred to her t.
wonder where Miss Alvira got tn,
money; she was only placidly happy
that she could have pretty dress, ant
reused into rather unusual animation
when the work on it was fairly begun.
One day Jessie brought her little sis
ter-a grave little thing, with big, seri
Gus black eyes. She took strong fancy
to Miss Alvra, and it grew to be the
habit for her to come every day witt
Jessie and sitquietly on Il stool between
The two, faahioning tiny doll dresses
from the pieces Miss Alvira gave her
while they worked on Jessie's wedding
clothes.
And 50 the summer slipped away ano
September came, and in two weeks Jes-
sic was to be married. One morning
Miss Alvira heard her knock at the door
earlier than usual. She hurried to open
it; she was anxious to tell Jessie about
the trimming for the bottom of the
skirt; she had decided in the night that
rose quilting would be the best; she
had scrap of the wedding dress in her
hand as she opened the door.
Jessie was leaning against the house,
looking down the garden path. The
childish lips were quivering. and the
pretty gray eyes red and swollen. She
had evidently been crying ull the way
over.
Jessie, what is the matter?" she
cried, quite sharply.
Its all over" she said, mechanical
ly.
Jessie Parker, what do you mean {?
Come in and tell me about it."
Its all over" she repeated, in the
same dull fashion.
Jessie, look at mel" she commanded,
sternly.
Nov tell me what is the matter"
Jessie began to cry hopelessly.
George says he isn't going to be
bothered with Dolly, and 1 can't leave
her alone, and there isn't anyone else
to take her."
Make you leave your own sister,"
she cried.
20, she isn't my own sister!" said
Jessie, wearily. "She's only my step
sister. I'd leave her if l could, but
can't
sudden thought came to Miss Al
vira. Was it-could it be possible that
there was love in the world that nobody
wanted? Love that she could take and
have for her own with no other claim
upon it? She was fairly trembling,
and had to cling to a chair before she
could speak.
Jessie, are you sure you would be
willing to give her up?"
The girl looked at her in surprise.
"Why, I'd give her to anybody, if
could" she answered, The possibility
of caring for the child's love never en-
tered her mind.
Miss Alvira's checks were flushing
and then paling, and she spoke with
strange effort.
Jessie, will you give her to me?"
Even Jessie was reused then to q
faint protest.
"Why, Miss Alvirey, you don't want
her-she'll be such care!'
But there was an undertone Of hope
in the girls voice and Miss Alvira drew
q long breath and sat down in one of
the hard, caneseated chairs as if she was
very tired. She picked up piece OF
Jessie's wedding dress.
Il thought we'd make this with the
rose quilting, after all" she said.
Jessie's wedding day was clear and
bright. Miss Alvira went over very
carly in the morning for her and Dolly
All Dolly's clothes had been brought
over the day before, and it had given the
little dressmaller exquisite pleasure to
see how few and poor they were. She
dressed the child herself and then
dressed Jessie, and the three went over
to the little village church together
Miss Alvira had looked forward to
that day for months, and yet when it
came-Jessie and George, the old minis
ter, and the familiar faces of the neigh
Gors-all seemed like dream. The re-
ality was the little warm clinging hand
ciasped in hers.
In the cool of the afternoon they
came back and had tea at Miss Alvira's
Jessie, usually so Indifferent, had in
sisted OH that. Then at dusk she kissed
the little sister good-by, and she and
George walked away together, as they
had done before SO many, many times.
but they all felt the difference, and
knew that now she could never turn
back again.
Miss Alvira ard Dolly stood at the
gate watching them, and then walked
hand in hand down the path and back
into the little room. The child was tired
by the excitement of the day; she
climbed up into Miss Alvira's lap, and
sat looking into the twilight with her
grave, dark eyes. Once she nestled
sieepily and said something to herself.
Miss Alvira bent down to catch the
words.
Dolly loves Miss 'Virey," she whis-
pered drowsily, and then the long lashes
dropped on the round cheeks and she
was fast asleep.
Miss Alvira sat there stiff and
straight. Her arms and back ached,
but she never moved. The new moon
was shining overhead; there We're
sweet, soft whisperings in the trees,
and little plays of light and shadow
across the grass and in the tiny garden.
The sweetness and graciousness seemed
TO sweep through her lonely heart and
fill it full to overlooking. And then
Miss Alvira knew her love-life had be-