The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1899-07-20


window was shaded, like those below,
by the branches of the pear tree, and
the sun peered through the gently wav-
ing leaves, making an ever-changing
pattern of light and shade upon the
bare floor.
Mr.. Brown had kindly brought up the
box containing Irene's toys and re-
moved the cover. Mabel and MaEde
were very anxious to see the contents
of this box, but as Irene hurried for
ward to the corner near the window
where the playhouse was, they politely
brought out their treasures to show
her. Irene was much interested. -
Are these yours?' she asked Maude,
as the little girl brought forth min
iature tea set decorated with pink rose
buds.
Maude looked little puzzled.
"They are ours, Mabeps and mine.
Why" and her round face grew
thoughtful, "they are yours, too, cause
ours will 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 party dress of pink cambric.
Mabel helped her, handing her the
various articles and chatting merrily.
Maude, left somewhat to herself, adj
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 rapturous exclamation broke
from her lips.
"Oh what a beautiful doll!' she
cried, carefully lifting out a fancifully
dressed Chinese doll. Irene, l think
you
The sentence was never finished.
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 I
see these?"
Because they are mine," Irene said,
putting the doll back in the box. II
never let anyone have my things"
Maude's cheeks were very red. ..Then
you needn't ever touch ours. / think
you are selfish, Irene Brown, and I'm
sorry you've come here to live, so
there!"
Irene began to cry, and Mande rushed
down: to 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 arc mine, Aunt Marie,
and my things are just for me"
| To Mabel and Maude this was new
idea. Mabel tried to excuse Irene, but
impulsive MauGe 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 had hitherto gov
erned that home. Irene loved Leon and
would sometimes allow him to use he1
toys. Again, she would snatch some
thing from him, crying: That's mine
Leon There was no trace of justice
in her selfishness, fer she never hesi.
tated to join in the pleasure of others.
4 month passed. One hot August
afternoon. when the fields were lying
all parched and brown under the fierce
rays of the sun, Baby Leon woke, cry
| ing, from a brief sleep. He was fever
ish and fretful. Before night it was
evident that he was really i'll. The sim
pie remedies given him by his mother
did not relieve him, and a doctor was
summoned. He shook his head grave
~. The little girls did not care fol
play. They tried to help in various
ways. especially delighting in doing lit
tie things for Leon. Almost uncon
sciously Irene was learning the beaut,
of doing for others.
. / The days went by and there was nj
change. On the evening of the fiftf
day Irene stole softly into the room
where her aunt sat by Icons crib. Th'
little form was wasted, and fever hat
burned the freshness from the rose
tinted face. Irene stopped and put he
hand on the tiny one that lay on Leon
breast. Slowly the golden lashes lifte'
and the blue eyes looked into her face.
/ doe Way, Rene" Leon lisped
8 Rene say mine to baby.
He closed his eyes. Mrs. Brow
looked into the face of her little niece
Notwithstanding her own grief, tn
mothers heart went out to the startle'
child. She put out her arms and drew
. Irene to her in close embrace.
rs it true, Aunt Marie?" the littl
girl asked when tears had relieved he
and she could speak. Does my want
ing my own things for myself kee
Leon, and all the rest of you. fror
! loving me??"
Il Very gently Mrs. Brown tried to sho'
: lIyn that a selfish life could not be
happy one. She told her of the heaven
t (ly Fathers love for all, and His CON
4 4 4 r-<x<I T~.<.S