REX.

Otago Witness, Issue 2561, 6 May 1903, Page 63

REX.

Bt Agnes J. Cbowlet, Waipori.

(For the Witness.)

It was Rex's birthday, the fir«t anniversary of his birth our blue-eyed dailing had ever seen. He was just a little toddling thing, with a sweet, chubby little face and masses of bright yellow curls Oh! how pleased he was when he saw all the new and pretty presents — a little woolly dog that would squeak, even if it could Dot bark ; a wonderful train that would tear madly round for fully five minutes •when wound up ; and the crowning glory — a big birthday cake, made by mother's own slender white hands.

We all hugged our dear little brother, •who seemed to know that this was a special day. All had turns carrying him about pick-a-back, and he was verily in an ecstacy of delight. Then mother came along with her tiny pair of silver scissors, and snipped off a golden glory, as we loved to call bis curls. I afterwards saw it entwined with a lock of black hair in a brooch mother was wearing. Mater once showed us the lock of dark hair, and said that long ago, before Ivy, Gordon, Rex. and I were born, a sweet, curly-headed girl brightened this room like a ray of sunshine on a gloomy morning. Needless to say, she was our jldest sister. On one happy morning she cut off that lock of little Annie's hair as a remfimbrance of her second birthday. Before another year had passed away, the darling child was lying asleep beneath the daisies, among which iv life she loved to play. Then we noticed the tears in mother's eyes as she bade us run and play. But now I know why my mater looks co wistfully after our neighbour's rosy-cheeked, black-haired child when she passes our gate on the way to school. Rex resembles Annie very much, only he is fair and she was dark.

Well, our darling's birthday treat was simply lovely. The litle "king" was there, perched on a high chair, with all the wonderful presents around him. He was at mother's right hand. The birthday cake occupied the place of honour in the centre of the table. It was covered with most beautiful icing, with "Rex" written in big pink letters above, and "a king" below. Now, don't you think it was nice of mother, to put that on '!

Oh! it was ail too lovely to last. Gordon got sick after it, and rolled away under the table, moaning and groaning as though he had eaten too much rich cake, as I really believe he did. I won't blame hini at all, for I ate six slices myself, it was so delicious.

In the afternoon we all went down to the river. Mother said that it did her good to see us enjoying ourselves. Little Rex ■was in great spirits, riding old Ted, the dog, and playing peek-a-boo among the trees. Once Ivy fell, and rolled over and over till she was quite close to the water. Rex heroically caught hold of her hair in order to save her. At least, we sa:d that to each other, for Rex's small arms could not do much to assist her. However, it made Ivy kick and stream until she nearly committed suicide. Mother came along in time to save her. Our wee brother was quite a hero after that.

As the afternoon woTe on we got tired of romping, and gathered around mother, who told us stones until it was time to go home.

Dear me ! how tired we all were ! How everyone remarked Bex's extreme pallor ; but, poor little chap, he must have been dreadfully tired. Mother carried him.

Who could guess that there would be such a melancholy sequel to the morning's fun!

When he was put into his downy cot that night, each one stole in to kiss our favourite "good-night." His face lookea just like wax, and his lips, always like red roses, were now pale. His eyes were elightly open, too, although he was fast asleep.

Soon after all the other children were put to bed, and were quietly sunk into the dreamless slumber that belongs entirely to early childhood.

Oh ! liow can I tell the remainder !

At about midnight I was awakened by an awful cry. I jumped out of bed, and Taced along the corridor to where I saw a light burning. It was in mother's room. I burst in, and then, ah ! my heart ceased beating for several moments. There was mother kneeling on the floor beside Rex's> cot. I knew that something was amiss. "Oh, God !" she cried, "why did you take him from me? My darling, my little one, come back."

I rushed over and looked into the cot There, just as we had left him, but with his hands thrown out on the coverlet, was our little brother's body ; but his soul — tis pure white soul— had' fled. In the stillness of the night God's Angel had come down and. borne away our darling. Next day the sorrowful little children crept noiselessly in to see the last of our wee brother as he lay (asleep, Gordon •aid) in the snow-white coffin. More waxenlike than ever v/as his face now, which somehow looked troubled. There was a dark shadow on the pure brow that even death could not efface. In a shady corner of the lonely cemetery on the hill there are two little daisycovered mounds. Ihree year* have parsed by since the clay was 'heaped up over the second one, which covers little Rex. .There is quite a path worn across the grass, so often have we made pilgrimages with sweet white flowers to the little graves. YestercHy, as I placed two wi earns of snowy carnations on the crosses at the head of either urave. I v.oudered if Annie knew Rex in heaven. I as>ked mother, but the only anvwer-d : "Poor baby Rex! Ab 'he wns too i.rice!? c s a firm for t'>^ iude settir.g, tco fifij'le a i'ower to bear the re3aflfff n buSetiua oi jtkia cruel world. '