Roses and Forget-Me-Nots

I

ROSES

It was a cold November storm, and everything looked forlorn. Even
the pert sparrows were draggle-tailed and too much out of spirits to
fight for crumbs with the fat pigeons who tripped through the mud
with their little red boots as if in haste to get back to their cosy
home in the dove-cot.

But the most forlorn creature out that day was a small errand girl,
with a bonnet-box on each arm, and both hands struggling to hold a
big broken umbrella. A pair of worn-out boots let in the wet upon
her tired feet; a thin cotton dress and an old shawl poorly
protected her from the storm; and a faded hood covered her head.

The face that looked out from this hood was too pale and anxious for
one so young; and when a sudden gust turned the old umbrella inside
out with a crash, despair fell upon poor Lizzie, and she was so
miserable she could have sat down in the rain and cried.

But there was no time for tears; so, dragging the dilapidated
umbrella along, she spread her shawl over the bonnet-boxes and
hurried down the broad street, eager to hide her misfortunes from a
pretty young girl who stood at a window laughing at her.

She could not find the number of the house where one of the fine
hats was to be left; and after hunting all down one side of the
street, she crossed over, and came at last to the very house where
the pretty girl lived. She was no longer to be seen; and, with a
sigh of relief, Lizzie rang the bell, and was told to wait in the
hall while Miss Belle tried the hat on.

Glad to rest, she warmed her feet, righted her umbrella, and then
sat looking about her with eyes quick to see the beauty and the
comfort that made the place so homelike and delightful. A small
waiting-room opened from the hall, and in it stood many blooming
plants, whose fragrance attracted Lizzie as irresistibly as if she
had been a butterfly or bee.

Slipping in, she stood enjoying the lovely colors, sweet odors, and
delicate shapes of these household spirits; for Lizzie loved flowers
passionately; and just then they possessed a peculiar charm for her.

One particularly captivating little rose won her heart, and made her
long for it with a longing that became a temptation too strong to
resist. It was so perfect; so like a rosy face smiling out from the
green leaves, that Lizzie could NOT keep her hands off it, and
having smelt, touched, and kissed it, she suddenly broke the stem
and hid it in her pocket. Then, frightened at what she had done, she
crept back to her place in the hall, and sat there, burdened with
remorse.

A servant came just then to lead her upstairs; for Miss Belle wished
the hat altered, and must give directions. With her heart in a
flutter,