Evening journal., 1899-07-28

iature tea set decorated with pink rose
buds.
Maude looked a little puzzled.
"rhey are ours. Mabers and mine.
Why" and her round face grew
thoughtful. "they are yours, too, cause
ours win mean you now"
Irene made no reply. Instead she
took up one of the dolls and began 20
change the Turkey red Mother Hub
bard for a party dress of pink cambfic.
Mabel helped her, handing her the
various articles and chatting merrily.
Maude, left somewhat to herself, ad-
yanced to the box of Irene's toys and
lifted the cover. The child never
dreamed that her act might be consid-
cred rude. Irene was one of them now,
and were not all things, by the law of
love which ruled that household,
'ours?" She Lifted layer Of paper,
and a rapturous exclamation broke
from her lips.
"Oh what beautiful dolli" she
cried, carefully lifting out a fancifully
dressed Chinese doll. "lrene, l think
you"
The sentence was never finished.
Irene sprang up and snatched the doll
from Maude.
Don't touch that or anything else.
They are mine"
"But you have our things" Maude
replied, spiritedly. "Why shouldn't
see these?"
because they are mine," Irene said,
putting the doll back in the box. 81
never let anyone have my things"
liaude's checks were very red. "rhen
you needn't ever touch ours. / think
you are selfish, Irene Brown, and I'm
sorry you've come here 10 live, SO
therel"
Irene began to cry, and Maude rushed
down TO tell the story to her mother.
Mrs. Brown was much grieved and tried
TO show both little girls their mistake.
Irene opened her big black eyes in won
der.
'Nhy, they are mine, Aunt Marie
and my things ore just for me-"
To Mabel and Maude this was a new
idea. Mabel tried to excuse Irene, but
impulsivc Maude refused TO overlook
her cousins conduct. There was no
quarreling; Mr.. and Mrs. Brown would
not allow that, but there was an entire
lack Of the sweet spirit Of generosity
and oneness which had hitherto gov
crncd that home. Irene loved Leon and
would sometimes allow him TO use her
toys. Again, she would snatch some
thing from him, crying: That's mine
Leon" There was no trace of justice
in her selfshness, for she never hesi-
tated TO join in the pleasure Of others.
A month passed. One hot August
y afternoon, when the fields were lying
all parched and brown under the fierce
rays of the sun, Baby Leon wolse, cry
ing. from brief sleep. He was fever
ish and fretful Before night It wal
evident that he was really ill. The sim
NJ pie remedies given him by his mothe'
81 did not relieve him, and O doctor wa
8 summoned. He shook bis head grave
n ly. The Little girls did not care fol-
play They tried TO help in various
ways. especially delighting in doing lit
tie things for Leon. Almost uncon
Sciously Irene was learning the beauty
Of doing for others.
The days went by and there was nc
change. On the evening of the fifti
day Irene stole softly into the room
where her aunt sat by Icons crib. Tit
little form was wasted, and fever hae
, burned the freshness from the rose
tinted face. Irene stopped and put hel
hand on the tiny one that lay on Leon
breast Slowly the golden lashcs lifted
and the blue eyes looked into her face.
:. doe Way, Rene" Leon lisped
+ "'Rene say mine to baby"
:. Ha closed his eyes Mrs. Brow
looked into the face of her little niece
I. Notwithstanding her own grief th'
< mothers heart went out TO the startle'
p child. She put out her arms and. .drev
/ Irene to her in a close embrace.
{ as IL true, Aunt MarieT' the littl
girl asked when tears had relieved he
and she could speak. docs my want
l. ing my own things for myself keel
+ Leon, and all the rest Of you, iron
e loving me?"
Very gently Mrs. Brown tried to shoN
e Irene that q selfish lie could not be
G happy one. She told her of the heaven
r ly Fathers love for all, and His CON
mand that we love one another. Iren
q listened in silence. A little later sh
went out on the porch where Mabel am
Aiaude were sitting.
n 'piease, girls" she began, the Grim
n son light of the setting sun stainin
l. her face with its glow, "plcase, won
o you let me say ours; our litue Leon
h and everything? haven't any 'min'
II now. 1t is all ours
Mabel and Maude were ready TO fol
d give their cousin and assured her I ga
n they would commence over. When th
e went downstairs the next morning the
8 found that Leon was better. He smile
Il up in their faces with something OF III
IL old sunniness, and did not draw ava
when Irene pressed many kisses upo
Re his lips.
e 1rene's lesson was we'll learned. lie
s joys are not alone her own now, bu
% in common with those of the entr