Our White Violet

R WHITE VIOLET. UR White Violet was one of the dearest 0 of little girls. She was loved by every one around her. t She was not pretty some little children seem to think that that has a great deal to do with a being loved. But no, our White Violet was not a pretty child she was very pale, and had a plain face, which was grave, and almost sad-looking, except when it was lighted up by her sweet smile. She was not clever either some little children think a great deal of that too, of being 7 L 8 OUR WHITE VIOLET, forward in their lessons, and being quick to - answer, and of saying sharp, funny things. Violet had none of this she ivas rather backward for her age, quiet and shy,-I daresay some of you clever young folks might eve11 have called her stupid. But she wasnt that. She was not full of life and spirits either, as most children are she did not run and spring, and scream out with joy and laughter at new sights, or chase butterflies, or roll in the hay, or join in her brothers and sisters games of fun. Violet could do none of these things. She was deformed. Poor Edmund he will never forget the day when, in the kindness of his kind heart, he caught up his little pet-sister, his bright, bonilyfaced Violet, in the hall, where she stood crying because she could not get down the stone steps to the others, who were playing on the terrace. Nurse was getting out the perambulator for her, the darling for the two-year-old Violet could not go far yet on her ten little toes. Edmund saw her in her distress pointing to the merry ones at play below, and crying, Me too Me. too She stretched out her arms to him when she saw hiS Come along, Baby Bud he cried, and snatched her up, calling out to nurse,-as he ran off, Ill look after her But as he uttered the word he missed the first step, and fell, Violet springing out of his arms to the very bottom of the flight of steps, where she lay on her back, quite still, while Edmunds screams brought nurse and all the children to the spot instantly. Edmunds bleeding face, bruised and cut, frightened the children more at the first moment than that of the pale, silent babe but when they saw that she lay in nurses arms without moving or opening her eyes, a dreadful fear fell upon them, as they stood round the step on which nurse sat, almost holding their breath, and not daring to speak. At last Alice whispered to Jessie- Is she dend All heard the question, but no one answered. Nurses tears began to fall. My lamb my pretty one she cried. Speak, my darling Look at your nursey Oh my dear little life, what shall I do for you How dreadful exclaimed Mildred. I cant bear it l Oh our sweet Baby Bud 1 for so they always called the little Violet. I 0 OUR WHITE VIOLET. What will. marnma say when she comes home said Mary. Oh our sweet Baby Bud cried the little sisters together in a concert of weeping. Edmund, you naughty boy, youve killed her exclaimed Jessie, Hush, hush said nurse, looking up for tlie first time at Edmund, who lay sobbing violently on the stone landing at the top of the steps, where he had crawled after his fall... --This text refers to the Paperback edition.