At Any Cost

In wrath and teare Edith Howlett fcad gone to bed. She had been tuckd in once, given a drink twice, kissd good-nlght three times, :md the lamp had been extinguished, out the park of rebellion Btill burned in lier öhildish soul. "Mamma" ehe crie.d. "Go to sleep, Edith," her mother said sternly . "I ehall not come In there again." "I want a drink, mamma," Edith pleaded. 'You'vö had two drinks already. Tfow go fco sleep." There was a brief silence, and tlien Edith tried again. "Mamma, come and kiss me goodsright." "You've bee nkissed good-night, dear and I 6!hall bot come in again, so go to sleep at tonce like a good girl. There was aiiother pause, while the lonely dhild cudgelled lier little brain lor a new lexpedient. "Mamma," she cried, at last, ■'please come in ; I'm so hungry." "You cannot have anything to eat ■fco-nigTit, aad if I come in there again," t!he mother eaid, with rising choler, "it will ibe to give you a good Bpanking !" There was a longer pause, and jnsrt as it begaji to look as if the evening'e battle were over, tlhe child's ■voice was heard again. "Mamma," she pleaded, "I'm 60 ionely in hiere. Please come in and