CHAPTER V.

LILY'S COUSIN STUART.

A FEW DAYS after this, dear little Lily came to dinner with two bright red spots on her cheeks. She did not seem inclined to talk as usual; but sat very quiet, waiting for Maria to pass her plate. With the dessert there was some pineapple, and this Lily thought very nice. I suppose she must have eaten too much, for in an hour or two she grew quite sick, and lay on the sofa, her poor head being very hot and throbbing with pain.

Mamma had gone out to see a sick friend, and Sarah was herself ill in bed; but Aunt Hatty took the dear child in her arms, and tried to soothe her to sleep. She lay very quiet for a time, listening to the lullaby, and Aunt Hatty thought her asleep; but presently she opened her eyes with a pleasant smile, saying,—

"Don't go away! I want you to stay here two-free weeks."

This was the commencement of a long sickness. When the doctor came the next morning, he said Lily had the scarlet fever.

During all the days and nights the little sufferer was in bed, she was very patient; but her feeble moans, as she lay half unconscious, made mamma's heart ache sadly.

When Lily was better, Helen was taken down with a similar attack.

On the whole, it was a trying winter for the family, though from the parish they received a vast amount of sympathy and kindness.

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There was one circumstance which was regarded by all as a blessing. This was that dear Cousin Stuart, who had been absent for many years, had returned, and was now settled in business near them.

Stuart was fond of all children, but particularly so of these dear ones. Scarcely a day passed without a call upon his favorites. When his step was heard on the stairs, or his voice speaking to papa in the hall, there was an immediate rush from the nursery and a scream of delight to welcome him.

Even baby Herbert crowed out his pleasure, holding out his dimpled arms to be taken. Indeed, he would willingly stay with no one else while his Cousin Stuart was in sight.

It was amusing to witness the scrambling for places when he took a seat. Helen and Lily were in his lap, Russell leaning on his knee, while Ida and Rose, who were often present, crowded as closely as possible, each clamoring to be heard.

"Please tell us a story."

"We're all ready, Cousin Stuart."

"Please have something funny," said Russell, his eyes twinkling.

Stuart had some funny stories, which he told once in a while; and some funny songs, which he sang; but he loved best to tell of good children in the Bible,—of Joseph, and Samuel, and Ruth, and Esther,—but more than all of the child Jesus, who never had committed a sin.

In all his travels, Stuart sought out children, and tried to do them good. He used to visit Sabbath schools, and when the boys and girls were through with their lessons, he would tell them of the Saviour's love; and urge them to choose him for their Friend.

Perhaps you would like to hear one of Stuart's stories. Well, I will tell you one.

It was a stormy evening during Easter; but the bright fire made the nursery look very pleasant. Margery sat near the grate, with Berty sound asleep on her knees; but Margery liked to hear stories as well as the children; so she sat there very still, with one of baby's feet in her hand.

Just opposite nurse, the lounge was drawn up, and there was Stuart with Lily snuggled down against his breast. Helen sat holding her cousin's hand, her curls floating over his shoulder, while her face was all smiles and expectation. Russell occupied a stool pushed up to Stuart's feet, so that one arm rested lovingly on his cousin's knee.

In the corner close by baby, Grandma Rawson sat in the easy-chair, her pale face, framed in beautiful white curls, looking very sweet and smiling.

Mamma was passing by the door, and stopped to view the pleasant scene within the room. She watched the dear children with their eyes fixed so eagerly on Stuart's face, and a keen pang of sorrow shot for one moment through her heart as she missed one precious lamb from the fold.

"How Stuart would have loved her!" she murmured, and with a sigh she passed on.