Melody The Story of a Child

nderful gift, that is certain. Just listen to her,

the room where Miss Rejoice lay. The window was open, and Melody's voice ca

hands, and settling herself on the pillow with an air of perfect content,-"nighting

y plumes, waving in the June breeze; she could see the road, and knew when any of the neighbors went to town

eatures know her! That old top-knot hen, that never has a good word for anybody, is sitting in her lap almost. She says she understands their

"There, sister! you said you had never he

from the clear white of Miss Vesta's. It curled, too, in little ringlets round her beautiful old face. In short, Miss Vesta was splendidly handsome, while no one would think of calling Miss Rejoice anything but lovely. The younger sister lay always in bed. It was some thirty years since she met with the accident which changed her from a rosy, laughing girl into a helpless cripple. A party of pleasure,-gay lads and lasses riding together, careless of anything save the delight of the moment; a sudden leap of the horse, frightened at some obstacle; a fall, striking on a sharp stone,-this was Miss Rejoice's little story. People in the village had forgotten that there was any story; even her own contemporaries almost forgot that Rejoice had ever been other than she was now. But Miss Vesta never forgot. She left her position

f a vine; a sweet, steadfast mouth, large blue eyes, clear and calm under the long dark lashes, but with a something in them which makes the stranger turn to look at them again. He may look several times before he di

, with a firm, assured tread, which gav

yesterday that it was time for cinnamon-roses; now here is one for you." She

own you would find the first blossom, wherever it was.

to me a few minutes ago, and I went hunting for it. It was in Mrs. Pe

aimed Miss Vesta. "An

e child. "I told her

much from giving, as a rule, to Aunt Joy or anybody e

monstrated Miss

know," persisted

e of her own. 'I didn't mean that,' said I; 'but I thought perhaps you wouldn't care for it quite as much as A

don't know whether it was exactly polite, b

distressed, and s

rose, and go 'long! Guess I might be sick enough before anybody 'ud get roses for me!' So I told her I would bring her a whole bunch of our white ones as soon as they were out, and told her how I

ks, and she was about to speak hastily; but Miss Rejoi

o unkindness, I think. The rose is very sweet," she added; "there are no ot

e young speckled hen eat out of the dish with her. So I took one under each arm, and sang and talked to them till they were both in a good hum

affectionate grumble. "Do you suppose they'll eat any bett

live, oughtn't they, Auntie? Is it time to make the cake now, Aunt

e doctor!" cried Melody, her sightless face lighting up with a

a'n't see her again till dinner-time. You'd think she

ing, Sister?" asked Miss Rejoic

and Martha Penny, that's all,-speaking so to that blessed child! I wish I had her here; she'd soon find out whether she

iss Rejoice, and then they both laughed, a