The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1907-07-20
J very becoming to Jack and made hiA

vas decided to send Evelyn to
school; she was nearly eight years
old, and could read and write quite
nicely: she had even taught Jack. so
that he was not far behind her, and
they could both DO difficult sums in
addition and subtraction.
Il wonder if Miss Murray takes
boys she said, when she and her
mother were discussing the new
school. I'D like Jack to go"
Il never thought of asking" said
Mrs Gregory with smile, but |
think you can risk it; I'm sure he will
be very good" and then they both
laughed. for Jacks bringing up was
quite a joke between them.
Evelyn was very shy at first; she
and Jack covered together in the same
seat and eripped hands very tightly
under her desk, but her new compan-
ions We're very nice children and did
their best to put her at her ease, so
at the end of week she began to
feel quite at home.
1t is wonderful how fast this only
child fell into the ways of the others,
but, sad to relate, poor Jack was
very much neglected. When one has
a dozen real little girls to play with.
it follows quite naturally that a
"make-believe" brother is not so
necessary as a companion.
After the first few days at school
Evelyn decided that it was better to
leave him at home, SO every morning
she settled him comfortably in the
nursery, surrounded By al her pic
tire books and toys, gave him q hearty
hug and kiss ana hurried off without
+. him; but she was very particular
about his lessons when she came
home, going over and over them with
him, until he and she knew them by
| heart. and when the night came, and
they were supposed to be sound asleep
she would tell him all the days doings,
chattecing away as she had always
done
The straneest part Of it all was that
s:le never told her new friends about
Jack.
They wouldn't understand, she
said to herself, as she gave Jack an
extra remorseful kiss and took him
out fer a walk
But things grew worse and worse
for poor Jack. The nursery was in
vaded by these strange little girls.
and Evelyn had to shake her head and
make signs to him to keep cry still,
SO they would not know he was in
the room. She was actually ashamed
of Jack, and she sometimes forgot to
take him out for days together.
One Sunday morning-a very par
ticular Sunday, for Evelyn was going
to church with mamma-she was I'M
| usually grave and quiet, not even the
knowledge that under her long coat
was a dainty new dress and that she
would have her favOrite ice cream Tor
dinner could bring smile to her sol
einn little face.
Wait a moment, mamma she said,
just as they were ready to start, Il
must tie Jacks cravat
oh, we're to have Jack, too?' asked
mamma.
'Yes-this time-come on, Jack"
And Evelyn held out her hand as she
always did when Jack went along.
All through the services she sat
with Jacks hand fast in hers, and
once or twice she bent down and
whispered to him. though mamma
shook her head-for Evelyn never
could whisper
Then when they were walking home
in the brilliant sunshine mamma no
ticed that Evelyn no longer held
Jacks hand instead, she held k--
own snugly in her little ermine nluff
Why. where's Jack?' she asked,
struck by the child's unusual silence.
The blue eyes met hers and filed
with ters
II left him in the church" she
said with a sob, and I'm afraid he'll
never be able to find his way home
again
I'm so sorry" said mamma, and
she took one Of the little hands out
of the muff and held it firmly. Per
haps he may come by himself
But Evelyn shook her head, and
though she missed him sadly exough
at first, and often dreamed about him,
and sometimes even cried for him,
and wondered what she would ever do
without him, Jack never did come
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