"Yes, dear, 'tis hard to part with either Diamond or Ruby, but then it is for Dora's sake."
"I can't give up Ruby, Maurice!" faltered Helen, with quivering lips.
Maurice made no reply, but glanced across to the chair where two frisky little spaniels sat watching them with bright eyes. Ruby, hearing his name, stood up, looking ready for any amount of mischief.
"Mine shall go, Helen, after all," he added, quickly. "I think Ruby, perhaps, is more engaging, and fonder of us than Diamond."
But you will want to know the cause of this giving-up of so beloved a little playfellow.
Maurice and Helen Claire lived in a small, shabby house, with their mother and little sister Dora. Poor children! For nearly a year now they had been, as far as they knew, fatherless. Captain Claire had never returned from his last voyage. His ship had been reported as missing; and the once happy home of the Claires had been left for a small house in a busy town. Maurice and Helen, healthy, hopeful children, bore up well enough under their reduced circumstances. But fragile little Dora had begun slowly to droop. The doctor ordered change of air to some seaside place. So it was that Maurice had announced that they must sell one of the dogs—their father's parting gift.
Maurice having decided between Diamond and Ruby, took up his cap, and went out, leaving Helen alone. Hardly had he gone, when a little girl, with long fair curls, and dreamy blue eyes, stole softly in. She sat down on the sofa with a weary sigh.
"Dora," began Helen, "you will go to the seaside yet."
"Oh! shall I?" cried Dora, clasping her thin white hands.
"Yes, Maurice is going to sell Diamond."