The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1891-02-05

knows of; md she's my only brat, thank
goodness"
"Then," said Lady TendertOn. 1--WE are
widows and one child. Pray
God he may be merciful to us and protect
them"
The woman stared, but the earnest
words touched her callous heart for the
moment, and silently she allowed the
ladies to depart
Not from that time till Polly left the
hospital did they visit her again, though
grapes and other dainties were sent fire.
quently. For some days disquieting
rumors reached me of my little mistress;
she was ailing, they said-had grown
languId, and was complaining of pain in
her head and throat, till at last we heard
that she was down with an attack of
scarlet fever.
why" said Polly, starting up, that
was what had.n
YES" said the nurse, roughly, 'and
if that sweet child dies, they may thank
you for it,"
Though l despised Polly, was sorry
for her then. She made no answer, but
turned away. Her large black eyes
filled with tears, and she held me close to
her. Thinking that she was asleep, the
nurse said some pretty hard things,
which went home to poor Polly. | felt
her tears dripping on my head, and
feared for my beautiful curls. After
few minutes, Polly called to her
attendant;
Nurse" she said with a sob please
send Dolly back to Violet tomorrow. She
was so good to me, and may be it'll make
her better"
"Bless me, child" said the nurse, and
not unkindly. "Aliss Violet will soon
get well again. There, go to sleep, do,
and I'll send the doll 1t will show hei
you're grateful, and it can't do any
harm now.n
The next day, to my great joy, went
homc-but all! to what different home
had left, 1t was SO still, and everyone
looked so grave and sorrowful. Lady
Tenderton was so thin and worn, though
she smiled family on recognizing ME
and hearing Polly's message. She TOOK
me at once to Niolct's room. Disinfec.
tant sheets were hanging at the doors,
and within, my sweet, little mistrcs,
lay, but so altered from the bright chill
| had left few days ago, that | wa'
quite startled to see her Her pretty
curls had been cut quite close hoI
cheeks were flushed a dusky red, and thu
voice with which she welcomed me wal
weak and hoarse.
my darling Bebe," she said. "Makt
her speak 10 me, mamma
Lady TendertOn wound me up; bu
something went wrong in my diaphragm
when | was knocked down with Polly
for | could not speak, and to this day,
have not recovered my voice. ViOle
had sunk iatO an uneasy slumber again
and when she awOke she did not recog
nize any one.
The poor child tossed and mutterct
all that day and the ext, and seemed t,
confuse me with Polly, for whom sh,
often asked. The doctors came AM
went; nurse and mother shared watcl
over the patient, and grew more troubled
as hour after hour went by without an,
improvement. At last after consulta
ton, the doctors agreed that Lady Ten
derton must be prepared for the worst
The poor mother listened to thei
grim message in despair; but once lief
alone, her compUsuro deserted her He
grief was terrible to see, but Just whel
it was at it i S worst, message CAM
that Violet had regained consciousness
and was asking for her. With a grea
effort she resumed her usual gentle dig
nifty, and hurried to the sick room, still
carrying me, for, unwlttingly, she hat
taken me with her. Soon she was kneel
ing by her darling, and supporting he
in her arms.
Mother, dear, have had such strang,
1reams about Polly and Bebe. see Bcbl
but where is Polly?"
"My darling, Polly is at home
"Send TO" her, MOTHER want to SCI
her, aud then the ugly dreams won
come back"
A servant was dispatched for the
Smiths, while the weak little voice wen
On-'And then had beautiful dream
| felt so tired, and was falling down
dOwn-when papa came and took me il
his arms, and we flOated away-such Z
long way off. | thought | should nevel
come back to you; and then-then
woke. Why are you crying, mother
dear?r
Violet's little hand was feebly strokinl
her mothers face.
''Be ause am sure that papa and til,
angels are waiting to carry my little Cir
away from me, and, perhaps, when they
are so happy together in heaven they ma,
forget that am left alone, and longing
to come there too. But there, | muslin
cry any more, for my darling will sool
be quite well now,' and the poor mothe
tried to smile.
The message had met Mrs. Smith ant
Polly on their way to inquire for Violet
and they now stood at the door,
great improvement being apparent il
their dress and appearance, thanks t,
Lady Tenderton.
She beckoned Polly, who came forward
timidly, her big eyes fixed ON Violet
Then she burst into loud tears.
''Oh, missis, is it true what they said
if you die it'll be all along o. me?" sh,
sobbed.
Hush, Polly; you disturb her." sale
Lady Tenderton. ''lf she dies it is be
cause it is so willed"
Don't cry so, Polly said Violet, al
most in a whisper, but kiss me, dear
and say good-bpe. And before / float
away again promise to be good girl
and never steal any more"
81 promise | wont steal never nc
more,n she tried, and then she kissed
the pale face that lay on the pillow be
fore her
"Polly. | can't give you my Bebe, be.
cause I've given her to the poor sick
children, or" Suddenly she raised
herself, and her breath came in short
gasps. ooh, mother dear, here is papa
he's close by you. Wait, papa
I'm ready now. rm-gOing-home with
you"
And with breaking heart the mother
felt that her child's pure soul had indeed
gone home.
Twelve months have passed since Vic.
let's death. / have been fumigated and
BEAUTIFULLY dressed again from head "a
foot, and stand on the top OF a large
pyramid of dolls, and from my exalted
position | can see thousands Of Other
toys, glittering mass of bright silver
sixpences and the crow Of sightseers.
Among them is a stately lady in deep
mourning. and behind her | recognize
the once truculent Mrs. Smith, who has
taken the pledge and kept it for year.
Lady Tenderton holds a little girl by the
hand. Why, it is Polly, looking quite
pretty and gentle. As | catch sight OF
of her she smiles and mods to me.
Glow beautiful our Bebe looks,
doesn't she ma'am?" she asks, and Lady
Tenderton smiles in reply.
My old friend, the general, who is not
far OF, thinks the same, and is more de-
voted to me than ever. lie suggests
that may as well return his affection,
as we are destined to pass the rest Of our
lives together, for we are both intended
for the Children's Hospital. Thanks to
Violet's example. this prospect does not
disgust me now, as it did once. IL
causes me indeed quite thrill Of pleas
ure TO feel that even ! may be able TO
contribute 10 the happiness Of some few
of my human brothers and sisters who
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