Beulah - Page 14/348

"I am afraid they will not consent to go. Fanny, suppose you take

Claudia; the other seems too reluctant," said Mr. Grayson, looking

at his watch.

"But I do so want that little blue-eyed angel. Cannot the matron

influence her?" She turned to her as she spoke. Thus appealed to,

Mrs. Williams took the child in her arms, and caressed her tenderly.

"My dear little Lilly, you must not cry and struggle so. Why will

you not go with this kind lady? She will love you very much."

"Oh, I don't want to!" sobbed she, pressing her wet cheeks against

the matron's shoulder.

"But, Lilly love, you shall have everything you want. Kiss me, like

a sweet girl, and say you will go to my beautiful home. I will give

you a cage full of the prettiest canary birds you ever looked at.

Don't you love to ride? My carriage is waiting at the door. You and

Claudia will have such a nice time." Mrs. Grayson knelt beside her,

and kissed her tenderly; still she clung closer to the matron.

Beulah had covered her face with her hands, and stood trembling like

a weed bowed before the rushing gale. She knew that neither

expostulation nor entreaty would avail now, and she resolved to bear

with fortitude what she could not avert. Lifting her head, she said

slowly: "If I must give up my sister, let me do so as quietly as possible.

Give her to me; then perhaps she will go more willingly. Do not

force her away! Oh, do not force her!"

As she uttered these words her lips were white and cold, and the

agonized expression of her face made Mrs. Grayson shiver.

"Lilly, my darling! My own precious darling!" She bent over her

sister, and the little arms clasped her neck tightly, as she lifted

and bore her back to the dormitory.

"You may get their clothes ready, Mrs. Williams. Rest assured, my

dear Mrs. Grayson, they will go now without any further difficulty.

Of course we dislike to separate sisters, but it can't be helped

sometimes. If you like, I will show you over the asylum while the

children are prepared." Miss White led the way to the schoolroom.

"I am very dubious about that little one. Fanny, how will you ever

manage two such dispositions, one all tears and the other all fire

and tow?" said Mr. Grayson.

"A truce to your fears, Alfred. We shall get on charmingly after the

first few days. How proud I shall be with such jewels!" Beulah sat

down on the edge of the blue-curtained bed, and drew her idol close

to her heart. She kissed the beautiful face, and smoothed the golden

curls she had so long and so lovingly arranged, and, as the child

returned her kisses, she felt as if rude hands were tearing her

heart-strings loose. But she knew she must give her up. There was no

effort within her power which could avail to keep her treasure, and

that brave spirit nerved itself. Not a tear dimmed her eye, not a

sob broke from her colorless lips.