ridesmaid's
dress, and must be sent away at once.

It really was too bad! and Belle lost her temper entirely, for no
persuasion or bribes would win a spray from Estelle. The provoking part
of it was that the wedding would not come off for several days, and
there was time enough to make more flowers for that dress, since Belle
only wanted a few for her hair. Neither would Estelle make her any, as
her hands were full, and so small an order was not worth deranging one's
self for; but observing Belle's sorrowful 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. Here is her address."

Belle took the card with thanks, and hurried away with a last hope
faintly stirring in her girlish heart, for Belle had an unusually ardent
wish 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 a
more tender meaning than gratified vanity or daughterly love.

Up many stairs she climbed, and came at last to a little room, very poor
but very neat, where, at the one window, sat a young girl, with crutches
by her side and her lap full of flower-leaves and petals. She rose
slowly as Belle came in, and then stood looking at her, with such a
wistful expression in her shy, bright eyes, that Belle's anxious face
cleared involuntarily, and her voice lost its impatient tone.

As she spoke, she glanced about the room, hoping to see some blue
blossoms awaiting her. But none appeared; and she was about to despond
again, when the girl said, gently:

"I have none by me now, but I may be able to find you some."

"Thank you very much; but I have been everywhere in vain. Still, if
you do get any, please send them to me as soon as possible. Here is my
card."

Miss Berton 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 it? What do you see?"

"I see the dear young lady who was so kind to me long ago. You don't
remember me, and never knew my name; but I never have forgotten you all
these years. I always hoped I could do something to show how grateful
I was, and now I can, for you shall have your flowers if I sit up all
night to make them."

But Belle still shook her head an