The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1908-06-30
3 49, etN&------. --.a
! ESTHER'S
: CROWN
BY ANNIS LENNOYS
81
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(Copyright.)

johnnie, l do love 'ou! Essie
wants Out"
The dark eyes were so coaxing him
what could he do?
John Sterling lifted little Esther
Mary" on to his seat and put his arm
round her. 1t had happened so often
before, no one yer thought OF OBJ
lecting. Essie's own proper teacher
shook her head at Johnnie and smiled,
both at once. The Sunday-school su-
perintendent, who taught the class Of
big boys to which Johnnie belonged,
pretended not to notice the intruder.
| Time had been when the boys had
laughed at Johnnie and his little
cousin Esther. but they had grown
used ia her ways" The winter was
almost gone, and Esther soon grew
sleepy In these close spring days,
which seemed to promise summer be-
fore 1t was wanted.
She leaned her head against John
MES, and listened. as the boys read
In turn. When Johnnie's turn came.
he pointed with his finger, and shs
read with him. They were speaking
Of Queen Esther, and just at the
close Of the lesson there was a little
stir in the class. Esther slipped
from Johnnie's side, and going up to
the teacher, asked. in an eager voice:
please. sir, do all Esthers have
crowns? I want one!"
Are you an Esther, too? Dear me.
30 you are! Well. I'm afraid we
can't get you q crown like hers"
The good man smiled at the eager
face as he spoke. The child's face
fell. but presently . bright thought
came to her aid.
Thank you, SIR" she said, with q
little smile. 1T doesn't matter. I'll
ask Johnnie to get me one"
I'm afraid you are setting your
youthful desire" began the superin.
tendent. What else he meant to say
remained unsaid. for Esther had al
ready slipped back to her place by
JOhnnie's side. Her clear, birdlike
voice was easily distinguished from
the boys voices AZ they joined in the
closing hymn. She stood on the seat.
her rosy cheeks and dark curls
famed by her pretty red hood. John
ME shared his hymn book with her.
The fading afternoon light shone down
on his awkward figure and pale, weak
face. When school was over, he car
rled her of. perched on his shoulders.
His mother said he was fairly daft
about me sister Mary's child, who's
only we to see arter her, now her ia
theirs on the seas" In her secret
heart l think Mrs. Sterling was
pleased to see how the little five-year-
old grille chung to her Johnnie from
the first day they met.
Cousin Essie. . bustling, merry girl,
was everybody's favorite: Johnnie had
never been anyone's favorite before.
This wee maid ruled him from the
first. A dreamy boy-at school q
Ounce. at home . stupid-only to
little Esther did Johnnie show his
best self. As they turned down the
wide High street, Esther chatted in
cessantly. turning her head from side
to side as her sharp eyes spied out
some object she was curious about.
When will you get me a crown,
Johnnie? l do want n so badly.
This nasty hood is so very hot. Will
you get me one? A white n would
be " so nice"
"You couldn't wear it If you had it.
Besides. she was a queen-the king
gave her her crown"
You're just as good az 4 king,
Johnnie. l should so like to have
one"
Johnnie made no answer as he raced
up the streets to their home. She'll
forget all about it when she gets her
tea." he thought.
Esther was not one to forget; but
she, too. was wise in her small way.
So she kept silent, only waiting till
Saturday came. She thought Johnnie
would take charge of her. But she
was disappointed, for Rose took her to
see the boys play ball in the park. and
Johnnie was one Of the team, and had
no time to talk to her.
Rosie is cross-I shan't stay with
herr" said Essie to herself. And
though her cousin called her back. she
took no heed. but ran off towards the
fountain. The afternoon wore on. and
the boys match ended with a victory
for JOhnnie's team. He came up to
his sister, bat in hand and flushed
with delight.
where's Esther?" was his first
question.
I'm sure I don't know, said Rose.
tossing her head.
shes gone up towards the foun-
tain," said one of the other girls. II
heard her say she was going to make
q crown"
/: Johnnie started to run before the
words were fairly out of her mouth,
Some Of the other boys had a glimpse
of his white, frightened face as he
toiled up the steep path leading to the
-ooC n~I fo,,rfoin