Show 1 a 4 THE BLA BLACK CK BEAD Onoe Once upon a time there lay upon a a. table a pr pretty tty red box of beads that rattled around gaily galI In their bright in- in clos re There were red ones that shone like rubles rubies blue lue ones with the glint of a a. turquoise and clear ones of I crystal like round diamonds The sun I gleamed on them flashing their col I lights in a rainbow of tints around th the i room There was only one dark one in I I the company and that was a black I shining ebony b bead ad which lay by It Itself itself it- it I self quietly in the corner of the box boa Little Paul is going to string these I into a 3 necklace for his mother said a abig abig I big golden bead richly engraved It Itis It Itis is for tor her birthday I know I am to be bethe bethe bethe the center one for tor gold is the prettiest I of ot all colors The other beads rattled about In envy I I am sure my crimson glow Is pretty pretty pretty pret pret- ty enough to win any honor sighed the bead I do not see why you think yourself the only one entitled en en entitled n I titled to claim the privilege j I Pray do donot not forget there are others others said eaid a big glue blue be id which rolled about angrily Maybe you forget torget the crystal crystal crystal crys crys- tal has some claims and that this green sister as well as this one which gUtter glitters glitters glit gUt ter like a topaz is quite as pretty as yourself I think any one of ot us Is Just as worthy worthy as the gold bead of being the c center rem remarked a tiny purple bead that is all aU except that black tello fellow in the corner Who would expect to see sec such a somber thing in a necklace necklace necklace neck neck- I lace 1 The black bead said nothing He Je was not disturbed about things at all all for he knew he was just what it t was Int in intended intended In- In t tended for tor him to be and he was not going to worry about shining forth as something great at all I i Pray brothers he said eald quietly do donot donot donot I not worry yourselves a a- a moment about me I am perfectly satisfied satisfied- I ac acknowledge acknowledge ac- ac knowledge that you are clad In far lovelier colors than I. I For a moment there was silence silence i the boasting beads felt a a. bit ashamed of themselves I Well laughed an opal bead there is no use in our quarreling for we have nothing to do with the decision Paul PaulI will make that himself Just then the child and his mother came into the room Oh mammal I exclaimed exclaim Paul I have hero a box of lovely beads all of I them like Jewels they are so pretty I colored I mean to string them right now I want the prettiest one one In the I center which center which must I select The gold gol goldone goldone one oner I IThe The mother picked up the gold bead and examined It carefully Nol Nol she said cald quickly It Is s only I brass brus and w would tarnish In a a. few days d h v Throw it out into the yard To my I taste this black one would be the best Place it in the center then let the brightly colored ones be e arranged along I on on both sides This will show up the tints prettily by contrast Besides B this black one is really a very valuable one Paul gave the golden bead a toss It fl flew w out of ot the window and fell feU In a tiny mud nud hole under the hedge But into the center of the necklace went the humble bl black k bead and all the other beads had to fall In behind thinking that th those who wh boast most do donot donot donot not always win the prize Copyright ht 1919 by the l McClure McClur Newspaper Newspaper Newspaper News News- paper Syndicate New York City |