The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-15
THE SPRAY LADY'S GIFT
BY MARY CATHERINE CALLAN

tie gold circlet that had dropped out
into her hand as though it wished to
clasp one of her pretty brown fin
gers. and stay. She wanted to say
some harsh things TO Nor sister for
forcing her to trade away her pretty
sponge and now wanting to lay full
claim on the ring. Then came "A sweet
thought that quoted her anger. She
would not let this beautiful thing
that had come to them make strife
instead of Joy. Beautiful things should
bring peace and gladness. SO she
said wistfully:
Perhaps 1t seems to you that the
ring ought to be yours, as you found
the vase. Let me slip it on your
finger"
TT would fit your finger just as
well: VIC are the same size said
Marjorie with some compunction
surning her finger to look at the
longed-for treasure.
Never mind. / caa see 1t just as
well on your hand" responded Esther.
Come. let's go 10 the house and
That Spray Lady gave me good
shower bath
Marjorie took great pride in show
ing her ring to her sehooimates. Es-
ther enjoyed her sisters pleasure.
But a sore throat and a growing feel
ing Of Illness nuenched her usually
bright spirits, Marjorie though. but
little of Esther's cold until ore morn
ing the little girl could not get up and
the doctor came. Marjories heart
seemed to stop as she heard fearful
word.
.Diptheria. her mother had asked.
Why, Jennie Mead had died Of diph-
iberia. Was her little sister going to
be taken away from her?
-
.nto that" the doctor said as he left
But we must watch the child care
fully, and don't let Marjorie be with
her until We are sure" But Marjorie
had run down to the cliffs and thrown
herself upon the turf. crying.
'My darling little sister mustn't
diet" she sohbed Il could never be
happy again" Then suddenly the
thought came, she had cared more for
the ring on her finger than for her
sisters happiness.
And she is worth more TO me
than million rings" she breathed
fiercely. Then her eyes lighted through
her tears as beautiful idea came in
to her mind. She slipped the ring off
her finger and went slowly back to
the house, thinking out the details of
her plan. She tried To be hopeful and
patient through the few days of wait
ing that followed Then, at last. the
doctor said to her; You shall see
your sister tomorrow. She is not GO
ing TO be as Ill as we feared
And tomorrow Is her birthday"
exclaimed Marjorie. at couldn't have
happened better"
The next day Marjorie tiptoed into
Esther's room. holding something
tightly In her hand. When she saw
her sister. lying white and ianquid
against the pillows she ran forward
eagerly.
''Oh. Esther, this is the happiest
birthday, You are going To get we'll.
And | want to help you all that /
can 10 be happy today and all the
DAYS" she cried
Then pressing the little pill box she
was holding into her sisters hands,
she added:
so you must take this, and believe
me that ! will never be bad to you
again"
Esther smiled lovingly but looked at
the present with some surprise. A box
of pills? Then Marjorie pulled the
cover off. and there on the little dab
OF cotton lay the Spray Ladies ring.
Oh, Marjorie. you darling whisper
ed Esther and tears came to her eyes.
You mustn't give II to me. Let's
lets own ii together"
But, Marjorie lifted the ring and
slipped ii on her sisters finger,
There it stays for always and al
ways" she declared. ''to show that
really I do love. you more than all
/! the rings in the world. The Con-
,rarattspu1fSt