Evening journal., 1899-07-28
The Story of Irene.
BY Hope Daring.
-.->-s-~>~>-s~-s-~~~.-%~>~-~-

ID EALLY, truly coming toliye with
n 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 10 Browz
Farm TO stay. Mabers delight was.
shared by Maude. The sisters looked
much alike, being fair and plump, with
merry blue eyes and brown hair. Mabel
was - and Maude 10.
Irene viii be just between US"
Mabel said, gleefully, "for she is IL.
We win have such good times. We can
play with our dolls and dishes and-''
with Leon, too" interrupted'Alaude.
I'm sure he is the very best thing we
have"
just then the baby brother, who was
only big enough to talk in cunRina
broken words, ran in and was delight 9
ed at the return of his sisters. He was
a pretty child, his face all pink ana
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. MIR.
Brown met her there, and IL 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
eyes and black hair, which was woven
into two long, heavy braids. She timid-
ly returned the caresses Of her aunt
and cousins. 1t was not until they
started for the house that she spoke.
"Be careful, that is mine" she cried,
taking from Mabel 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 her
hands 20 Him.
"Oh, what a dear, sweet babyl Is ha
my cousing win he let me kiss him 2
Leon did this after a little coaxing.
Irene was tired and was glad to soon
90 with her aunt to the large upper
room which she was to share with Ma
bel and Maude. The traveller was nc
sooner in the small white bed which
had been prepared for her than she fell
asleep.
The next morning was clear and
warm. Irene's face was bright when
she took her place at the table. The
windows of the dining-room opened d
| rectly onto the branches OF the TAI
pear tree where the bluebirds had bull
their nests for many years.
The little stranger enjoyed the huge
red raspberries, the oatmeal and the
creamy milk. She laughed over Icons
funny ways, and when she spranG
down from the table she nodded gaylJ
in response to Maude's invitation to 'gc
play"
The dew lay heavy on the grass o.
the orchard, so Mrs. Brown told then
20 go TO the playhouse upstairs. They
ran away to the long, low room, whose
walls were covered with rough, gra,
plaster. There was little furniture ex
ccpt trunks and boxes. The single
window was shaded, like those below
by the branches of the pear tree, an'
the sun peered through the gently way
ing leaves. making an ever-changinl
pattern OF light and shade upon III
9are floor.
Mr. Brown had kindly brought up tn
DIX containing 1renc'a toya and re