San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-05-11
81 think she was,r answered Mabel.

Fenwick ran his fingers through his dara
locks
Suppose, said Mabel, you send her some
thing by me-"
"Whatr' cried Fenwick.
Mabel nodded.
Don't you remember when Fay and /
took the tin candlestlck, and how pleased she
wasr
Fenwick walked around the little office.
"Yes, yes" he said, II remember"
You might send a pair of scissors" con-
tinued Mabel, ''only that isn't a good sign.
Something awful might happen"
'Oh! well-then | won't send those" said
Fenwick, with faint smile.
81 suppose flowers are what the sick should
have" said Mabel, "but you don't have flow.
ers in your store.n
Fenwick paused in his walking. A bright
spot burned in each cheek.
"You wait here" he said, land I'll be back
in minute"
He took his hat from behind the door and
went out of the store. Presently he returned
with little bunch of violets in his hand. He
looked somewhat confused then. Here are
your flowers" he said, holding them out to
her. Give them to her if you want to-"
Mabel took them with a cry or delight.
"Violets!" she said, land know a nice lit
tie verse to say when | give them to her.
Wouldn't that be nices"
Every nice" said Mr.. Fenwick.
Mabel ran away joyfully. She could hardly
wait now f. cry little while she lifted the
fragrant flowers and smelled of them.
They are different from our little vi'lets,"
she thought. bigger, with more leaves, and
they smell more"
She saw Mrs. Fenwick in the window as
she reached the house and ran in without
ringing
"Seel" she cried, holding out the little bou-
quet.
English violets" sail Mrs Fenwick. She
raised them to her nostrils. English violets
had tender associations for her.
They are yours" said Mabel, putting her
hands behind her "Fay's papa sent them,
and he said he thought it would be very nice
to say this verse with them:
The rose is red.
The violet blue,
Do you love me
AS love YOU
Mrs. Fenwick did not move her head. The
color slowly mounted to her forehead. Then,
with a sudden movement. she raised the
flowers TO her lips and kissed them.
Il thought you'd like EN-" said Mabel
Then, suddenly noticing that the tears were
running down Mrs. Fenwick's cheeks, she ran
and threw her arms around her"
Don't cry" she said. Don't, please don't"
Mrs. Fenwick drew the little face down to
hers and kissed it,
Did he really send themF she asked.
"Of course he did" said Mabel
Mrs. Fenwick was silent a minute. Then
she detached one of the vioets from the
others.
Mabel" she asked, ARE you very tired"
Mabel looked out of the window.
Not so very" she answered.
And will you do something for me-"
"Of course | will" said the child smiling.
Then take this back to your new papa and
tell him sent it."
Mabel took the flower reluctantly.
Only onef' she questioned.
lone is enough" said Mrs. Fenwick,
smiling.
Her mind went back to the time when she
first sent Mr.. Fenwick a violet token of
her love for him. After the little girl had
gone she went to the door and watched her
go down the street. Her heart throbbed
loudly. but she held the fragrant violets
closely clasped in her hands.
Mr. Fenwick had not been himself since
Mabel had departed. The books lay open be
fore him, but he paid no attention to them
He had hardly changed his position when
Mabel returned. She was very tired, but
held out the flowers to him with smile.
IL wish it was more than one" she said, a
trifie ashamed at the gift she was bringing,
but she said one would be enough"
Mr.. Fenwick's heart gave great bouud.
who did9" he cried, and almost choked in
speaking.
my new mamma" answered Mabel, a lit
tie frightened at his emotion. ''She liked the
bowers very much and kissed them and told
me to bring this back to you"
God bless you, child" cried the man,
catching up his hat and picking up the little
girl in his arms Up the street they went,
faster and faster Mabel did not dare ask &c
be left at her own house.
Mrs. Fenwick saw them coming. She
started toward the door, but it had already
been, opened Mabel was put upon the floor
and Ralph Fenwick and his wife stood mo-
tionless in each others arms Mabel walked
around the room feeling a trifie i'll at ease.
Finally she returned to speak to them and
smiled bravely, though there were large
tears In her eyes.
Il wish" she said, "that it was time for
Fay to come back. I don't think can take
cHe of you two much oAger."-Frances
Boardman in Home Journal
NJ I