Mary's Rainbow

fond of your good nur

wish she could go South

y from little folks who really need her? That brings us to a m

her hands, and tried to look very grave and grown-up; for to talk over a matter o

s. His poor mother is quite worn out, for he insists on having her beside him day and night. We had a fine nurse for him, but he took a dislike to her and would not let her come near him. Now, the only one I know who can handle t

ail little fingers tightly together and winked very hard before she answered in a voice scarcely above a whisper; "Ye--es, Uncle,--and--and maybe you can come home a little earlier, just a little earlier every evening, and--and stay longer at luncheon, and

u were so weak; but there is no reason now why they may not come very often. I have made plans, however, so that you need not be alone for a single moment of the day. Sister Julia has a young friend, Miss Donnelly

g young lady, Uncle? I do hope she

you,

re both just exactly right. I have often seen a great big lady pass here, and I am sure that I would not like her at all. She wears a long black coat like an over

it is to judge from a person's appearance." The Doctor tweaked the little girl's ear, and his eyes twinkled as he went on, "At any r

t her after you have asked her to come. And I shall try as hard as I can to lo

lifted her face for his good-night ki

ome down to breakfast for a few days. Luncheon and dinner w

Mary had not been able to go with them, because she had been very ill and was not strong enough for the long voyage. So she had been left with her mother's brother, who had always made his home with the Selwyns. During her long illness, Mary had grown to love Sister Julia very, very much. What wo

or when he tiptoed to her bedside, he found her pillow wet with tears; and as he lightly kissed

th a card for Sister Julia. Mary felt that the dreaded hour had come, and remembering her promise to her uncle, braced herself to meet the Miss Donnelly of her dreams. Yes, they were coming up the stairs. She could hear Sister Julia's merry laugh. The next momen

The little brown lady ran to t

ou were going to stay with

ss old Sister Julia,

t once. I mean instead of--well, it isn't very nice to s

s Miss Donn

didn't exactly say it, but I tho

exactly tell me so, but I thought I was to take care of a little old lady who would not give

r hair plastered back and--and oh! I am so glad she isn't real! Isn't Uncle a tease! But

he carriage for Miss Donnelly, and Liza says that Jim

ten, Sister, and when the little boy is w

the sick, you know. But I shall stop in to see you on the days when I return to our convent; and when you are abl

us. On her return to the little girl's room after seeing the Sister into the carriage, she caught Mary

Miss Donnelly, will be

s Selwyn," was

nelly. I am only seven and a half.

n, and no one ever calls me anything but Gene. So if

Mother told me always to say Miss before the name

g sister; for, you see, I am the youngest in our family, so I have never h

r had a big sister; but if I had one, I

u would not call her Miss Gene, would you? Oh

dy, their nurse. But I shall show you their pictures the very first thing. They are in that kodak book on the table. You will have to know everything about them if you are going to be my big sister, you know; and some day when Uncle thinks I am well enough, we shal

early in December and bought some of the presents-things for Aunt Mandy and Liza and Susie and Tom and for some of the little girls I know; but ever since I was a little bit of a thing, she helped me make something for Father and Uncle Frank and Aunt Mary. And Father helped me with a

avy silk thread in chain stitch, it makes the lo

own a chimney. Then Father went to the very same store where Mother had bought the cards and got one for her with a bluebird on it, because Mother calls me her little bluebird. I always wear blue and white, because I am dedicated to Blessed Mother. Beth is, too; and Berta, to the Sacred Heart. A

pretty one. You could make a different kind this year. Do

w and paint; but I am better a

n while you are taking your nap, I shall go to a store not far from here

eek. But what can I make for the babies? They can't use calendars, you know. Aunt Mandy was going to teach m

any colore

her's room. I know that it will be all right for us to use it, beca

search, they

ary, and it is so heavy th

me what I am goin

ever so much fun with it then. It is a pair of horse reins; and we shall sew tiny brass sleigh

find one-in the

tening the red worsted around them, began the reins. "We shall

le sister

isters will have the gayest

the reins. She took her work down stairs to show it to him. "And, Uncle, I have something very important to ask you. Miss Donnelly says it will make her lonely to be called Miss anybody, and

Miss Donnelly feel more at home with us, Mot

because if she is my sister, she is your niece; an

elly wishes me to call h

. I feel very much

y big sister, you ought to s

the Doctor. "I can easily see how she might wish to have y

ristmas tags and seals and ever so many things for the presents we are going to make; and Gene says that she will buy th

k a bill from

ost of your purchases. When you