was deeply interested in her new companion and for the time somewhat forgetful of Moses, which is not much to be wondered at when we remember what great advantage over Moses Jamie had in one thing.  He could talk with Cissy and Moses could not.  But although the dog’s faithful heart ached at the neglect of his little mistress, he did not desert his place of protector, but watched and guarded the princess while she and her friend prattled on all the long, bright days, quite unconscious of his trouble.

One afternoon Cissy’s happiness reached its highest point.  Her mother had been watching the visiting going on through the fence, and saw Cissy’s delight in her new companion, so, unknown to her, she wrote a note asking that Jamie be permitted to come into the yard and play under the elm tree.  When Cissy saw Jamie coming up the walk in her own yard, her delight knew no bounds.  She ran to meet him, and dolls and buggies and carts and everything she prized was generously turned over to her visitor.  How quickly the afternoon passed.

Moses was as happy as the children themselves—­for if he could not talk he could at least bark, and now they were altogether under the tree, his troubles were forgotten and which were the happier, children or dog, it were hard to say.  So with merry play the beautiful day came to a close.  The sun was sending up his long golden beams in the west.  Jamie was called home, and Cissy came into the house.  The tired little eyes were growing drowsy and the soft curls drooped over the nodding head when mamma undressed her little girl to make her ready for bed.  Then Cissy knelt beside her little bed and repeated the prayer she had been taught:  “Now, I lay me down to sleep,” and “God bless papa and mamma and everybody, and make Cissy a good girl.”  But when she had done she did not rise as usual; looking up earnestly at her mother, she said:  “Please, mamma, I want to pray my own prayer now.”  Then folding her little hands, the sweet childish voice took on an earnestness it had not shown before, as she said:  “Dear Father in heaven, I thank you for making Jamie, and ’cause his mamma let him come in my yard to play.  Please make lots more Jamies,” and with this sincere expression of her grateful heart, and her loving recognition that all our blessings come from the Father above, the tired, happy little girl was ready for bed, and soon asleep.

Moses lay sleeping contentedly on the rug beside the princess’ little bed.  He too had had a happy day.  I wonder if he had any way to express his thankfulness to his Creator, the same Father in heaven to which Cissy prayed, for the love and companionship of his little playfellows, and for the bright, happy day he had spent?  I believe he had.  What do you think about it?

THE WINTER’S TALE.

As told by Mary Seymour.

Leontes of Sicily, and Hermione, his lovely queen, lived together in the greatest harmony—­a harmony and happiness so perfect that the king said he had no wish left to gratify excepting the desire to see his old companion Polixenes, and present him to the friendship of his wife.