Evening journal., 1899-09-04


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 to
change the Turkey red Mother Hub
bard for a party dress Of pink cambric.
Mabel helped her, handing her the
various articles and chatting merrily.
Maude, left somewhat to herself, ad-
vanced 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
ooh what beautiful dolli" she
cried, carefully lifting out a fancifully
dressed Chinese doll "1rene, think
you"
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. q
never let anyone have my things"
Naude's cheeks were very red. "Then
you needn't eyer touch ours. think
you are selfish, Irene Brown, and I'm
sorry you've come here to live, 50
therel"
Irene began to cry, and Maude rushed
down 10 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.
why, they are mine, Aunt Marie,
and my things are just for me-"
To Mabel and Maudo this was q new
idea. Mabel tried TO excuse Irene, but
impulsive 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 bad hitherto gov
erned that home. Irene loved Leon and
/ would sometimes allow him to use hei
? toys. Again, she would snatch some
] thing from him, crying: That's mine
Leon" There was no trace Of justic'
in her selfishness, for she never hest
. tated to Join in the pleasure of others.
b A month passed. One hot Angus
- afternoon, when the fields were lying
}. all parched and brown under the ferc
e rays Of the sun, Baby Leon woke, cry
ing, from a brief sleep. He was fever
s ish and fretfpl. Before night IL wa
& evident that he was really Ill. The sim
) pie remedies given him by bis mothe
8 did not relieve him, and a, doctor wa
4 summoned. He shook his head grave
3 ly. The little girls did not care TO
y play. They tried to help in variou
ways, especially delighting in doing liz
d tie things for Leon. Almost uncon
y sciously Irene was learning the beaut.
S of doing for others.
p The days went by and there was M
a change. On the evening of the fiftl
: day Irene stole softly into the room
p where her aunt sat by Icons crib. tn
d little form was wasted, and fever hal
L burned the freshness from the rose
# tinted face. Irene stopped and put he
hand on the tiny one that lay on Leon
g breast. Slowly the golden lashes LITE
and the blue eyes looked into her face.
i doe Way, Rene" Leon hsped
!. "'Rene say mine to baby"
A He closed his syes. Mrs. Brow
r looked into the face Of her little niece
K Notwithstanding her own grief, I'll
n mothers heart went out to the startle
i child. She put out her arms and dre'
Il Irene TO her ma close embrace.
v "Is it true, Aunt Marie?" the littl
girl asked when tears had relieved he
! and she could speak. docs my wan
4 ing my own things for myself kee
. Leon, and all the rest of you, froi
loving me?"
10 Very gently Mrs. Brown tried 10 sho'
i Irene that'a selfish Ike could not be
= happy one. She told her Of the HEAVIER
ly Fathers love for all, and His con
10 mand that we love. one another. lrer
~ listened in silence. a little later 81
went out on the porch where Mabel an
Maude were sitting.
"Please, girls" she began, the erin
son light of the setting sun stainir
her face with fits glow, "please, won
~ :, you let me say 'ours;' our little Leor
~ =, and everything2 haven't any min
~ now. It is all ours"
Mabel and Maudie were ready TO 10
~ give their cousin and assured her tn
~ they would comme1pce over. When tho
y went downstairs tn enext morning thu
=, found that Leon was better. He smil'
~ =. up in their faces with something Of b
II old sunniness, and lid not draw avn
when Irene pressed many kisses up'
= his lips.
.e Irene's, lesson was 'Eeu learned. II
IS joys are not alone hrr own now, b
lg in common with those of the enti
y family.-Detroit Free Press.