knew this dreadful thing had happened because he did not latch the back
yard gate--and because he had told Daddy a lie about it.

"Poor little Marion was taken to the hospital. His spine had been injured,
and it was many, many months before he could sit up. And never again was
he able to run about like other children.

"It was a long time before Mother and Daddy found out how the baby came
to be in the pasture with the mules. But one day, after little Marion
had been brought home, Milton told Daddy the whole, sad story.

"'I'm very sorry,' said Daddy kindly, when he had finished. 'I wish you
had told me the truth. I wouldn't have sent you out alone in the dark,
son. I would have gone out and latched the gate myself.'

"It was almost more than Milton could bear, to have his father talk to
him so sadly and yet so kindly. The sting of the bee went deeper and
deeper, as he watched his pale-faced little brother day after day.
Always after that, he was careful to listen to the buzzing of little Bee
Truthful."

Two very sober children said good-night to Grandma just as the clock
struck half-past eight.



Bee Kind

[Illustration]