"But what is the matter, my
darling?" for tears were trembling on the long silken lashes that swept
Gracie's flushed cheeks.
At the question they began to fall in streams, while the little bosom
heaved with sobs. She pulled out a handkerchief from her pocket to wipe
her eyes, and a strong whiff of perfume greeted Violet's nostrils, telling
a tale that sent a pang to her heart.
Gracie was instantly conscious of it, as she, too, smelled the tell-tale
perfume, and stole a glance at her young stepmother's face.
"O mamma!" she sobbed, covering her face with her hands, "I did pour a
little on my handkerchief 'cause I knew you always let me have it, but I
didn't mean to break the bottle; it just slipped out o' my hands and fell
and broke."
Violet clasped her in her arms and wept bitterly over her.
"Mamma, don't cry," sobbed the child, "I'll save up all my money till I
can buy you another bottle, just like that."
"O Gracie, Gracie, it is not that!" Violet said, when emotion would let
her speak. "I valued the bottle as the gift of my dear dead father, but I
would rather have lost it a hundred times over than have my darling tell a
lie.
Pages:
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172