le girls of her age that I could
tell of.

"It is an invitation to a children's party at Mrs. Vane's," said mamma.
"Miss Lucy Vane asks the pleasure of Miss Lily's company on Thursday
evening, at seven o'clock."

"Oh, can I go? Can I go?" cried Lily, jumping up, and clapping her
hands.

"I do not quite approve of children's parties, especially when they take
place in the evening," said mamma. "But I know who will say 'Yes,' and I
suppose I shall have to do as he says."

She was thinking of Lily's papa, who loved the little girl so much, that
he could not bear to say "No" to any request she might make.

Well, mamma was right. Papa saw that his little girl was bent on going
to the party, and so he teased his wife into yielding her consent.

So, when Thursday came, Lily was dressed up in her little white robe,
with straw-colored ribbons, and her pretty slippers, and sent in a
carriage, with Jane the housemaid, to the party.

It was not quite such a party as I approve of. I do not like to see
little girls and boys trying to act like grown-up people. I like to see
them act like children.

Lily had the good taste to get tired of it all very soon. Little girls
would come along and stare at her slippers; but she did not feel much
pride in them. Little boys would come and bow, and ask her to dance; but
she had had enough. There was music and singing, and then ice-cream and
cake were handed round; but Lily had promised to eat nothing, and she
kept her promise.

At half-past eight o'clock she saw Jane beckoning to her at the door;
and very glad she was at the sight. Bidding Miss Vane "good-night," she
let Jane put on her shawl, and lead her to the carriage. "Oh, I am so
tired, so tired!" said poor Lily.

Mamma received her at the door of her own house, and, taking her in her
arms, bore her up stairs to the little girl's papa. "What! has she come
back so soon?" said he, throwing down his newspaper, and taking her on
his knee.

"Oh, you dear papa, I am so tired, so tired!" murmured Lily. "Oh, do
sing me 'Flow gently, sweet Afton,' and let me go to sleep on your lap."

But mamma said, "No, Lily. You must go to bed while you can keep your
eyes open."

And so Lily kissed papa, and was borne off to bed. I think she will wait
till she is older, before she will care much to go to another
"children's party."

DORA BURNSIDE.

[Illustration]

THE HERONS.

[Illust