Part 9 (1/2)

”Mine blue, too,” added Dora. ”We always have everything just alike.”

”There, now they can see just as well as ever.”

”Thank you ever so much!” exclaimed both girls at once.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

ROSE AND THE LITTLE BEGGAR.

ROSE was out in the garden with mamma. Rose ran here and there, gathering the prettiest flowers to make into a bouquet for her. Rose thought her mamma the loveliest and best mamma in the world. Nothing was too good for her.

”O Mamma!” she cried breathlessly, running up after a long absence, ”there's a poor girl--outside the fence--over by the rustic chair. She looks as though she wanted--something. She won't speak--Oh! come and see here, mamma!”

”Poor child! Perhaps she is hungry,” said mamma, rising quickly.

They found the child still looking wistfully through the fence. ”Would you like something to eat?” asked mamma kindly.

The bareheaded and barefooted little girl looked up into the sweet face a moment, then said timidly, ”Please, lady, give me some flowers.”

”I'll give her mine,” whispered Rose.

With a hurried, ”Thanks, lady,” she took the flowers and ran swiftly away before another question could be asked.

”I wish I knew where she lived,” said Rose.

”I will inquire. We may be able to help her.”

[Ill.u.s.tration: ROSE AND THE LITTLE BEGGAR.]

OLD CHARLIE RUNS.

SEE old Charlie run. Do you suppose he is afraid of the children or the constables? You see old Charlie gets into mischief sometimes when papa is away. He gets into the garden where there are a few young fruit trees. Old Charlie likes apples and pears. So papa told Neddie he must watch, and if old Charlie got into the garden he must drive him out.