The Basket of Flowers

father was not busily engaged in the garden, he occupied his time in making baskets of all sorts, and particularly lady's work-baskets. While he b

two bunches, one for her father and the other for herself. After she had finished her work, and when she was returning home through a meadow, she met the Countess of Eichbourg

ental meeting with the Countess and her daughter proved the beginning of the painful circumstances of this story. But Go

nd wanted to buy one. Mary respectfully declined to sell her flowers, but she begged that the ladies would each accept a bunch. They were so struck with the girl's unaffec

imacy, which was something more than ordinary between two girls of such widely different positions, sprang up between Mary and Amelia. They were nearly

king a beautiful basket, which he intended to give to Mary herself. It was the most finished piece of work he had ever done, and he had worked on it a design of the village in which they lived. Mary's idea now was to fill this basket with fl

e green branches full of leaves, and arranged them in the basket, so that all the colours, though perfectly distinct, were sweetly and delicately blended. A light garland composed of ros

birthday feast. Mary shyly offered her present, adding the best wishes of her heart for the young Countess's happiness. Amelia received the present with unaffected pleasure, and in an impulsiv

offered he

page

"See, mother," cried Amelia, "of all my birthday presents, surely nothing can equal the one I have received from Mary. Never have I seen so beautiful a basket, and nowhere can you find such beautiful flowers." The Countess was equally pleased with Mary's present, although she expressed herself more

ot be permitted to go away without some s

y dear mother, that one with the red and white flowers on the deep green ground. It is almost new; I have worn it but once. It is a little too short for me

wish to give anything it ought to be something good and serviceable

was, "take good care of the flowers, that they may not fade before dinner. I want the g

told Juliette, her maid, to bring th

that dress to-day,

I intend to make a p

eplied Juliette hastily.

id Amelia with dignity. "Bring me the dress,

ely. "This sly Mary has already wormed her way into the affections of my young mistress, and now she steals from me this dress which ought to have been mine when the Countess had done with it. I could tear the eyes out of t

ey than your basket, but none of them have given me so much pleasure. Will you take this d

ul dress, which surpassed anything she had ever dreamed of possessing. Afte

fury burning at her heart. The many tugs which she gave to t

angry,

answered Juliette; "to be angry

Juliette," replied Amelia, "I hop

not taken the basket to the young Countess, but it cannot be helped now. I fear that this valuable present will but rouse the jealousy of some of our neighbours, and, what would be still worse, that it may make you vain. Take care, my dear