She sat a long time watching flowers bud and blossom under Lizzie's
skilful fingers, and then hurried home to tell all her glad news to
mamma.
If the next day had not been full of most delightfully exciting events,
Belle might have felt some anxiety about her wreath, for hour after hour
went by and nothing arrived from Lizzie.
Evening came, and all was ready. Belle was dressed, and looked so lovely
that mamma declared she needed nothing more. But Marie insisted that
the grand effect would be ruined without the garland among the sunshiny
hair. Belle had time now to be anxious, and waited with growing
impatience for the finishing touch to her charming toilette.
“I must be downstairs to receive, and can't wait another moment; so
put in the blue pompon and let me go,” she said at last, with a sigh
of disappointment, for the desire to look beautiful that night in
Somebody's eyes had increased four-fold.
With a tragic gesture, Marie was about to adjust the pompon when the
quick tap of a crutch came down the hall, and Lizzie hurried in, flushed
and breathless, but smiling happily as she uncovered the box she carried
with a look of proud satisfaction.
A general “Ah!” of admiration arose as Belle, mamma, and Marie surveyed
the lovely wreath that lay before them; and when it was carefully
arranged on the bright head that was to wear it, Belle blushed with
pleasure. Mamma said: “It is more beautiful than any Paris could have
sent us;” and Marie clasped her hands theatrically, sighing, with her
head on one side:
“Truly, yes; mademoiselle is now adorable!”
“I am so glad you like it. I did my very best and worked all night, but
I had to beg one spray from Estelle, or, with all my haste, I could not
have finished in time,” said Lizzie, refreshing her weary eyes with a
long, affectionate gaze at the pretty figure before her.
A fold of the airy skirt was caught on one of the blue clusters, and
Lizzie knelt down to arrange it as she spoke. Belle leaned toward her
and said softly: “Money alone can't pay you for this kindness; so tell
me how I can best serve you. This is the happiest night of my life, and
I want to make every one feel glad also.”
“Then don't talk of paying me, but promise that I may make the flowers
you wear on your wedding-day,” whispered Lizzie, kissing the kind hand
held out to help her rise, for on it she saw a brilliant ring, and in
the blooming, blushing face bent over her she read the tender little
story that Somebody had told Belle that day.
“So you shall! and I'll keep this wreath all my life for your sake,
dear,” answered Belle, as her full heart bubbled over with pitying
affection for the poor girl who would never make a bridal garland for
herself.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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