recorded in history.

THE ANGEL IN THE LILLY FAMILY.

BY SHERWOOD BONNER.

There was something rather queer about the Lilly family. In the first
place there were so many of them--fourteen precious children. This alone
is queer, when it is the fashion of the day to have small families, and
"well-springs of pleasure" are as scarce as diamonds in any properly
regulated household. But Mrs. Lilly's heart was made on the omnibus
plan; and there was no miserable little "Complet" ever scrawled over its
door.

Then it was queer how they avoided nicknames in the Lilly family. Each
child was called by its full name, which sometimes happened to be a
pretty long one.

It was through a sad accident that one of the Lilly children turned into
a regular little angel.

The day after Christmas Mrs. Lilly's aunt--grandaunt of the
children--carelessly allowed poor Katharine Kirk Lilly to fall on a
marble floor. A serious injury to her spine was the result.

Dear! dear! how Mrs. Lilly screamed! She threw herself on the bed, and
poured forth tears enough to put out a Christmas bonfire. She was not
soothed until the doctor came, and after a careful examination--which
the sufferer bore without a word or moan--pronounced that poor Katharine
Kirk would live. But, alas! he added that she must always be an invalid.
And smiling with the patient sweetness that distinguished her, the dear
child sank back on the pillows from which she was never to lift her
golden head. All the rest of the Lilly children stood round, showing by
a sort of paralyzed expression on their faces how deeply they were
moved; but none of them cried.

"Perhaps, dears," said the poor little mother, sobbing, "this affliction
will be blessed to you."

"It will," cried the penitent great-aunt, clasping Mrs. Lilly in her
arms; "it will teach them lessons of patience, of self-denial, of love,
that will be as good as--"

"As the Prince's pricking-conscience ring in the family," suggested Mrs.
Lilly's mother, who had a way of turning things into fun, and never gave
way to her feelings.

It was surprising what a change from that time dated in the Lilly
family. They had been like other children, a little faulty, perhaps,
rather apt to stand on their rights--a fierce footing--but merely to
look at the darling invalid, her shining hair outspread, her blue eyes
ever bright, was to receive a lesson in sweetness and good temper.

Take the case of Phillips Arthur Cliff L