Evening journal., 1899-09-04

" D EALLY, truly coming TO live 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 a long sum
mer afternoon with a 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. 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 win be just between u.s."
Mabel said, gleefally, "for she is H..
We will have such good times. We cun
play with our dolls and dishes and"
"With Leon, too" interrupted Maude.
I'm sure he is the very best thing we
have"
Ahb tAANn Ant bAh1 1AoAANAs NAo Ne-
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.
It 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
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 little. Leon came
toddEng down the path, ana Irene
dropped everything to hold out heT
| hands TO him.
"Oh, what q dear, sweet babyl Is he
my cousin2 VIII he let me kiss him 2
Leon did this after little coaXing.
Irene was tired and was glad to soon
20 with her aunt TO the large upper
room which she was 70 share with Ma
bel and Maude. The traveller was nc
sooner in the small white bed which
had been prepared for her than she fel
asleep.
The next morning was clear anc
warm. Irene's face was bright wher
she took her place at the table. The
windows of the dining-room opened di
rectly onto the branches of the tah
pear tree where the bluebirds had bull
their nests for many years.
The little stranger enjoyed the huge
red raspberries, the oatmeal and th'
creamy milk. She laughed over Leon'i
funny ways, and when she spranG
down from the table she nodded gayll
in response to Maude'sinvitation to "g'
play"
The dew lay heavy on the grass o
the orchard. so Mrs. Brown told then
10 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 ex
ccpt trunks and boxes. The singh
window was shaded, like those below
10y the branches of the pear tree, AM
the sun peered through the gently way
ing leaves. making an ever-changinl
pattern of light and shade upon tn
: bare floor.
= Mr.. Brown had ki0dly brought up tn
sox containing Irene'a toys and re