Evening journal., 1899-08-23

~ tht itlic Blil brought 1orh min
iature tsa set decorated with pink rose
buds.
Maude looked little puzzled.
They are ours. Mabels aud mine.
Why" and her round face grew
thoughtful, they are yours. too. cause
ours viii 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-
yaRced So 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 laN Of
love which ruled that household,
'ours?" She lifted layer,of paper,
and n rapturous exclamation broke
from her lips.
"Oh what q beautiful DOLL" she
cried, carefully lifting out a fancifully
dressed Chinese doll. Irene. / think
you"
The sentence was never finished.
Irene sprang up and snatched the doll
frem Maude.
"Don't touch that or anything else.
They are NINE"
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"
Maude's checks were very red. "Then
you needn't ever touch ours. / lhink
you are selfish, Irene Brown, and I'm
sorry you've come here TO live. 50
I therel"
! Irene began. TO cry, and Maude rushed
down to tell the story to her mother.
Mrs. Brown WIS much Prieved and tried
to show both little glls 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 Maude this was a 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 hsd hitherto gos-
crned 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 oe justice
in her selhshness, for sho never hesi-
tated to joinin the pleasure Of others.
A month passed. One hot August
afternoon, when the fields wero lBing
all .parched and brown under the. fierce
rays Of The sun, Baby Leon woke. cry,
ing. from brief sleap. He.was foYur'
IshSa and frctful. Before night il wal
evident that.hs was really ~. The sim
PIE remedies given him ny his nsthel
did not relieve him, and a doctor was
summoned. He shook his head grave
ly. The. little girls dh not care for
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 NO
change. On the evening of the fifth
day Irene stole softly into the room
where her aunt sat by Leon's crib. The
little form was wasted, ard fever had
burned the freshness from the rose.
tinted faee. Irene stopped and'Put her
hand on the tiny one that lay on Leon.
breast Slowly the golden lashes lifted
I, and the blue eyes loskcd into her face.
Doe Way. Rene" Leon lispedi
"'Rene say mine TO baby"
He closed his eyes. Mrs. Brown
looked into the face'of her little niece
Notwithstanding her own grief, \ tho
mothers heart went out to the startled
child. She put out her arms and drew
Irene TO her in a close embrace.
us it true. Aunt Marie?" the little
girl asked when tears had relieved hei
and she could speak. "Does my want
ing my own things for myself keel
Leon, and all the rest of you, from
loving me2'
Very gently Mrs Brown tried 20 show
Irene that a selfish life could not be I
happy one. She told her OF the heaven
" Fathers love for all, and His com
mand that we love one another. irene
, listened in silence. a little later shl
went out on the porch where Mabel anC
Maude were sitting
please, girls" she began, the Grim
son light of the setting sun stainin,
her face with its glow, "please, won
you let me say ours our little Leon,
: and everything? Lhaven't any mine
! now. II is all ours
Mabel and Maude were ready to for
1 give their cousin and assured her tha
they would commence over. When the.
went downstairs the next morning the.
r found that Lcon.was better. lie smile'
up in their faces with something Of hi
old sunniness, and did NOT draw ava.
when Irene pressed many kisses upoi
his lips.
Irene's lesson was well learned. He
S joys are not alone her own now, bu
in common with those of the entir
VI / FoV,,f1.r na4roff NTraa nrnec