Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-03-07
:::::: BY B. L. FARJEON. :. -: =
CHAPTER TX.
Continued.


I They went to secondhand ward
robe shop, where the woman who kept
lt--satisfying herself first that the SOW
ereign which Little Make-Believe
showed her was a good one-gave her
the benefit of her experience in the
selection of frocks and hats.
The choosing of colors and materials
occupied them for considerable time;
Little Make-Beleve was soon suited
IA brown stuff frock and plain
straw hat, which the woman declared
almost with tears in her eyes, were
DIRT cheap for four shillings and six.
pence, were purchased for her.
Far more difficult was the selection
of frock and hat for Saranne, who at
length was made happy by becoming
the possessor of a blue frock of soft
cashmere and hat trimmed with rib
bons and little punches of forget-me-
nots.
These could not be obtained for less
than eleven shillings, and the balance
of the sovereign waseXpended in stock
ings and some pieces Of colored ribbons
fer the further adornment of the
beauty of the family.
The purchase of boots and sundry
other small requirements was left for
the next day. Loaded with their pur-
chases, Little Make-Believe and Sa-
ranne returned home as happy, nay,
perhaps happier than any two human
beings within a dozen miles of them
There was much to do at home that
night; the frocks, being secondhand,
did not exactly fit; alterations were re-
uuired in them, which, of course. it
fell to the lot of Little Make-Believe
to make.
She was quite clever with her needle
and the way she set to work, shipping
and cutting and altering would have
been lesson for many drcsSmakcr.
Long before she was done Sarannc
was abed and asleep. dreaming fairy
dreams with smiles on her lips and joy
in her heart.
Not less happy was Little Make-Be-
Neve, who sat till nearly in the morn
ing engaged in her labor of love.
AS she cut and stitched there was
smile also on her lips and in her heart
a song.
The common room was clorifcd, the
gleam Of the one thin candle a very
blaze of light.
The faded and torn paper on the
walls, the black ceiling. the hard bed,
the scanty furniture-these were the
unreal surroundings of this patient,
sweet, unseliish young soul.
What was the reality? Why, what
q question to ask? Did it not shine
around her in flowers and stars and
sunlight and shining water?
Forests in which the lovliest trees
were growing to the skies, the bees
singing their songs of fruitful flavor,
birds chirping on the branches and fly
ing to and fro from their nests, sheep
browsing. COWS being milkod, fragrant
winds blowing, myriad graceful
shapes floating in the air, lakes In
which the fish were cleaning, visions
of Aladdin's cave sparkling with jew
els which were theirs for the gather
ing, a marble castle with white steps
leading to lowered terraces over which
ladies and gentlemen were wandering.
sounds Of invisible music-earth, air
and heaven yielding their sweetest
fancies to fill with ineffable gratitude
and happiness the heart of our Little
Make Believe whilst she piled her
needle in that common room in Clare
Market
And from all these imagnings. as
though he was the subtle essence
which gave them birth and invested
them with their wondrous beauty. the
figure of Walter Deepdale with his
handsome face and gentle voice was
never absent
Dream on, Little Make-Believe.
Even to you, bending over the second
hand frock you are altering for Sa-
ranne-even to you in that small dim
lS-hghted room has come a foretaste Of
heaven.