Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-09-02

tered a French shrek, wrung her hands
and then began to burrow wildly 10 III,
trunk and among the papers, crying dis
tractedly;
Great heavens, madam the wreath ha,
been forgotten Ma toi ! what an aflic
ton Mademoisele's enchanting toilet i.
destroyed without the wreath, and nowhere
do find IT,"
In vain they searched; in vain Marie
walled and Belle declared it must be some.
where no wreath appeared. 1t was duly
set down in the bill, and fine sum charged
for hcad.dress to match the dainty for.
got.rnc.nots that looped the neecy skirt.
and ornamenied the bosom Of the dress
Ithod evidently been forgotten and mamma
despatched Marie at once to try and match
the Covers for Belle would not hear Of
any other decoration for her blonde hair.
The dress fitted to a charm and was pro.
nouncod by all boholdcra the lovoliost thing
ever seen. Nothing was wanted but the
wreath to make it quite perfect, and when
Marie returned, after long search, with no
forget.me-uots, Belle was in despair.
Wear natural ones" suggested a SYM
pathizing friend.
Butanother hunt among greenhouses was
as fruiiless as that amoug the milliner'-
rooms. No forget.me.nots could be found
and Marie fell exhausted into chair, des.
oatod 0t what she felt to be an awful ca.
lamity.
Let me have the carriage and III ran.
sack the city till | find some cried Belle,
growing more resolute with each failure.
Mamma was deep in preparations for the
ball and could not help her afflicted daugh.
ter, though she was much disappointed at
the mishap So Belle drove OF, resolved
to have her flowers, whether there were any
or not
Any one who has ever tried to match q
ribbon, God a certain fabric, or get anything
done 10 hurry, knows what a wearsome
task it sometimes is, and canimagine Bellies
state ofmind after repeated disappointmeuts.
She was about to give up in despair when
some ono suggested that perhaps the French.
woman, Estelle Valnor, might make the dc.
sired wreath if there was time.
Away drove Belle, and, on entering the
room, gave n sigh Of satisfaction, for a
whole boxful of the loreliest forgetme-nots
stood upon the table As fast as possible
she told her tale, and demanded the flow.
ers, no matter what the price might be,
Imagine her feelings when the Frenchwo.
man, with a shrug, announced that it was
impossible to give mademoiselle a single
spray, as they were engaged to trim a
bridesmaids dress, and must be sent away
at once.
1t really Yves too bad, and Belle lost her
temper entirely, for no persuasion or bribos
would win spray from Estele The pro-
yoking part of it was that the wedding
would not come off for several days. and
there was time enough to make more flow.
ers for that dress, since Belle only wanted
few for her hair Neither would Estele
make her any, as her hands were full, aud
so small an order was not worth deranging
ones self for but observing Bellies sor.
rowful face she said, affably:
Mademoiselle may. perhaps, find the
flowers she desires at Miss Berton's She
has been helping me with these garlands,
and may have some left. Hero is her ad.
dress"
Belle took the card with thanks, and
hurried away with last hope family stir.
ring in her girlish heart, for Belle had an
unusually ardent desire to look her best at
this party, since Somebody was to be there,
and Somebody considered forget.me.nots
the sweetest flowers in the world Mamma
knew this, and the kiss Belle gave her
when the dress came had more tender
meaning than grati6ed vanity or daughter.
love.
Up many pairs Of stairs she climbed and
came at last to little room, very poor, but
very neat, where, 8t the one window, sat a
young girl with crutches by her side, and
her lap full Of Aower-leaves and petals.
She rose slowly as Belle came in, and then
stood looking at her with such wistful
expression in her shy, bright eyes, that
Bellies anxious face cleared inyoluntarily,
and her voice lost It's impatient tope
As she spoke she glanced about the
room, hoping to see some blue blossoms
awaiting her But none appeared and
sho was about to despoud again. when the
girl said, gently:
e" have none by me now, but may be
able to fud you some"
Thank you very much; but | have
been everywhere in vain. Still, if you do
get any please send them to me as soon as
possible. Here is my card"
Mis- Bartou glanced at it, then cast a
quick look at the sweet anxious face before
her, and smiled SO brightly that Belle
smiled also, and asked, wonderingly;
What is it2 What do you see !"
| see the dear young lady who was so
kind to me long ago. You don't remember
me, and never knew my name but never
have forgotten you all these years. al
ways hoped | could do something to show
how grateful was, and now | can, for you
shall have your flowers if sit up all night
to make them"
But Belle still shook her head aud watched
the smiling face before her with wondering
eyes till the girl added, with sudden color
in her checks;
"Ah you've done so many kind things
in your life, you don't remember the little
errand girl from Madame Tifauy's, who
stole rose in your hall, aud how you gave
her rubber boots and cake and flowers, and
were so good to her she couldn't forget it
if she lived to be a hundred"
But you are so changed" began Belle,
who did family recolect that little Incl.
dent 10 her happy life.
+" Yes, had fall, aud hurt myself 80
that | shall always be lame"
Aud Lizzie went on to tell how Madame
bad dismissed her In rage how she lay
i'll till Mrs Brown sent her to the hospital /
and how for year she had suffered much
alone, in that great house of pain, before
one Of the kind visitors had beiriended her.
While hearing the story Of the FIVE years
chat had been so full Of pleasure, ease and
love for herself Belle forgot her errand,
and, sitting beside Lizzie listened with
plying eyes to all she told her of her en-.
deayors to support herself by the delicate
handiwork sho loved.
I'm very happy now" ended Lizzie,
looking about the little bare room with a
face full Of tho sweetest content. =" | get
nearly work enough to pay my way, and
Estele sends mo some when she has more
than she can do. I've learned to do it
nicely, aud II is 80 pleasant to sit here and
make flowers, instead Of trudging about In