Evening journal., 1899-07-01
The Story Of Irene.
By Hope Daring.
~~~~~-~>-~~-ss-~~-~~-,s-.-~

EALLY, truly coming olive with !
US, mamma? Oh, how glad ! |
ami said Mabel Brown.
Mabel and Maude Brown had just en-
tered the sitting-room of their farm
house home, after spending long sum-
mer afternoon with playmate. Their
mother had told them that letter had
been received from the guardian Of
their cousin, Irene Brown. Irene's
parents had died year before, and the
little orphan had continued to attend
school in the city where she had always
lived. Now she was coming TO Brown
Farm to stay. Mabel's delight was
shared by Maude. The sisters looked
much alike, being fair and plump, with
merry blue eyes and brown hair. Mabel
was 12 and Maude 10.
"Irene viii be just between us"
Mabel said, gleefully, "for she is IL.
We will have such good times. We can
play with our dolls and dishes and
with Leon, too" interrupted Maude.
"I'm sure he is the very best thing we
have"
Just then the baby brother, who was
only big enough TO talk in cunning
broken words, ran in and was delight
ed at the return of his sisters. He was
a pretty child, his face all pink and
white like an apple blossom, and his
hair clustering around his head in tiny
golden curls.
1t was a week before Irene came. In
this week the little girls were very
busy. All the clothes Of their numerous
dolls were washed, and the two play
houses were put in perfect order and
adorned with the little maidens' choic-
est possessions. One Of these play
houses was upstairs in what was called
the swing chamber" and the other out
under the wide-spreading branches Of
an apple tree.
Irene reached the town, four miles
distant, late in the afternoon. Mr..
Brown met her there, and it was sun
down when they reached the house
Mrs. Brown and her daughters hurried
down the path to meet the newcomer
She was slender and dark with black
ewes and black hair, which was woven
into two long. heavy braids. She umid'
ly returned the caresses Of her aunt
and cousins. It was not until they
started for the house that she spoke.
"Be careful, that is mine she cried
taking from MalSl the pink silk para
sol she had started to carry to The
house.
Mabel flushed a little. Leon came
toddHng down the path, and Irene
dropped everything to hold out hei
hands 20 him.
''Oh, what a dear, sweet babyl Is h'
nv cousin2 win he let me kiss him
Leon did this after a little coaxing.
Irene was tired and was glad to sooE
90 with her aunt to the large uppel
room which she was to share with Ma
bel and Maude. The traveller was NJ
sooner in the small white bed whicl
had been prepared for her than she fel
asleep.
The next morning was clear ant
warm. Irene's face was bright whel
she took her place at the table. In
windows of the dining-room opened 81
rectly onto the branches Of the tai
near tree where the bluebirds bad bull
. their nests for many years.
The little stranger enjoyed the hug
red raspberries, the oatmeal and tn
creamy milk. She laughed over Leon
funny ways, and when she spran
! down from the table she nodded gayl
; in response to Maude's invitation to g
] play"
! The dew lay heavy on the grass G
v the orchard, so Mrs. Brown told thef
TO go to the playhouse upstairs. The
ran away to the long, low room, who's
walls were covered with rough, gra
! plaster. There was little furniture G.
ccpt trunks and boxes. The singl
: window was shaded, like those below
by the branches of the pear tree, an
the sun peered through the gently wa
ing leaves, making an eyer-changin
I pattern OF light and shade upon II
Z bare floor.
NJ. Brown had kindly brought up Il
box containing Irepc'n ~cyA aud r