The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1890-08-27

Fenwick ran his fingers through his
dark locks.
"Suppose," said Mabel, "you send
her something by me-"
What" cried Fenwick.
Mabel nodded.
"Don't you remember when Fay and
/ took the tin candlestick, and how
pleased she WASP"
Fenwick walked around the little
office.
/" Yes, yes" he said, " remember
"You might send pair of scissors"
continued Mabel, "only that isn't a
good sign. Something dreadful 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 flowers in your store"
Fenwick paused in his walking. A
bright spot burned in each cheek.
d" You wait here" he said, "and 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 vio-
lets in each hand. lie looked some
what 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 cry of delight.
Violets!" she said, "and | know a
nice little verse to say when | give
them to her. Wouldn't that be nice?"
Every NICE" said Mr.. Fenwck.
Mabel ran away joyfully. She could
hardly wait now. Every little while
she lifted the fragrant flowers and
smelled them.
"They are different from our violets,"
she thought" bigger, with more leaves,
and they smell more"
She saw Mrs. Fenwick in the win
dow as she reached the house and ran
in without ringing.
See" she cried, holding out the
little bouquet.
English violets!' said Mrs. Fen
wick. She raised them to her nostrls.
English violets had tender associations
for her.
"They are yours" said Mabel, put
ting her hands behind her. "Fay's
papa sent them, and he thought it
would be very nice to say this verse
with them.
"The rose Is red,
The violet is blue:
Do you love me
AS / love you?"'
Mrs. Fenwick did not move her head.
Then, with a sudden movement, she
raised the flowers to her lips and kissed
them.
81 thought you'd like 'em," said
Mabel.
Then, suddenly noticing that the
tears were running down Mrs. Fen
wick'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 her and kissed it.
"Did he really send them?" she
asked.
"Of course he did," said Mabel.
Mrs. Fenwick was silent minute.
Then she detached one of the violets
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 1 will" said the child,
smiling.
"Then take this back to your new
papa, and tell him sent it,"
Mabel took the flower reluctantly.
"Only one?" she questioned.
Gone is enough" said Mrs. Fen
wick, smiling.
Her mind went back to the time
when she first sent Mr.. Fenwck vio-
let, token of her love for him. After
the little girl had gone she went to the
door and watched her 90 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 before him, but he paid no at
tention to them. He had hardly
changed his position when Mabel re.
turned. She was very tired, but held
out the flower to him, with smile.
I" / wish it was more than one," she
said, trihe ashamed at the gift she
was bringing, "but she said one would
be enough"
Mr.. Fenwick's heart gave great
bound.
"Who dido" he cried, and almost
choked in speaking.
my new mamma" answered Mabel,
little frightened at his emotion. "She
liked the flowers very much and kissed
them, and told me to bring this 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 to 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 Fenwck and
his wife stood motionless in each others
arms. Mabel walked around the room
feeling a trifle i'll at ease. Finally she
returned to speak to them and smiled
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