Evening journal., 1899-08-23
The Story of Irene.
BY Hope Daring.

J AftAA--A Il Nsf SSAllliAe ~ i've W. ~
n us, mamna? o., 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 alplaymate. Their
mother had told, ,them that a letter had
been received from the guardian Of
their cousin. Irene Brown. frene's
parents had died year before, and the
little orphan bad continued 70 attend
school in the city where she had always
lived. Now she was coming 10 Brown
Farm TO stay. Alabel's delight was
shared by Maude. The sisters looked
much alike. being fair and plump. with
m6rry blue eyes agd brown hsir. Mabel
was 12 and MauGe 10.
"Irene will be just between US"
Mabel said, gleefally, "for she is u.
We win have such good times. We can
play with our dolls and dishes sndL"
"With Leon. toe" interrupted kaude,
I'm sure he is tho very best thing we
have."
just hhen the baby brother, who iwsa
only, big enough TO tax In cunning
broken words, ran In and was delight
ed at the return OF his sisters. He was
= pretty child, his face all pink md
white like an apple blossom, and his
hair clustering around his head in tiny
golden curls.
1t was week before Irene came. In
this week tho little girls were very
busy. All the clothes Of their numerous
dolls were washed, and TIE two plaFs
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
4 the "wing chamber" aad the other out
under the wide-spreading brenehes OF
an apple tree.
Irene reached the town. four niles
distant, late an the afternoon. Mr.
Brown met her there, and it was sun
+ down when they renched the house
/ Mrs. Brown and her daughtersihurried
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
aud cousins. IL was not until they
started for the house that she spoke.
"Be careful, that is mine she cried
Z taking from Mabel the pink silk para
sol she had started to carry to the
\ house.
I Mabel flushed lirle. Leon CANT
toddHng down the path, and Irene
dropped everything to hold out hei
hands TO him.
"Oh, what dear, sweet baby! is he
my cousin? VIII he let me kiss him ?
Icon did this after a little coaxing.
Irene was tired and was glad to soor
20 with her aunt TO the large upper
room which she was TO share with Ma
bel and Maude The traveller was NJ
sooner in the small white bed whiel
had been prepared for hef Than she fel
asleep.
The next morning was clear an'
warm. Irene's face was bright whel
she took her place at the table. MT
windows of the dining-room opened d.
rectly onto the branches Of the tai
near tree where the bluebirds had bull
their nests for many years.
The little stranger enjoyed the hug
red raspberries, the oatmeal and tn
: creamy milk. She laughed over Leon
funny ways, and when she spranI
down from the table she nodded gayl.
in response to Maude'sinvitation to "g
play"
The dew lay heavy on the grass o
the orchard, so Mrs. Brown told ther
20 so 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 g
! cept trunks and boxes. The singl
, 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-changin
1 pattern OF light and shade upon tn
r bare floor.
!, Mt. Brown had kindly brought up III
+ 9ox containing Irenc'a toys and T,
n A cheap substitute for a standal