Beulah | Page 9

at her. Beulah
chanced just then to turn toward the asylum, and saw one of the oldest
girls running across the common. The shadow on her face deepened,
and she looked around for Claudia and Lillian. They had tired of
sliding, and were busily engaged picking up pine burrs at some little
distance in the rear.
"Come, Claudy--Lilly--our matron has sent for us; come, make haste."
"Do you belong to the asylum?" asked the gentleman, shaking the ashes
from his cigar.
"Yes, sir," answered she, and, as the children came up, she bowed and
turned homeward.
"Wait a moment. Those are not your sisters, certainly?" His eyes rested
with unfeigned admiration on their beautiful faces.
"This one is, sir; that is not." As she spoke she laid her hand on Lillian's
head. Claudia looked shyly at the stranger, and then, seizing Beulah's
dress, exclaimed:
"Oh, Beulah, don't let us go just yet! I left such a nice, splendid pile of
burrs!"
"Yes, we must go; yonder comes Katy for us. Good-evening, sir."
"Good-evening, my little friend. Some of these days I shall come to the
asylum to see you all, and have you sing that song again."
She made no reply, but, catching her sister's hand, walked rapidly
homeward. Katy delivered Mrs. Williams' message, and assured Beulah
she must make haste, for Miss Dorothy was displeased that the children
were absent.

"What! is she there again, the hateful--"
Beulah's hand was over Claudia's mouth, and prevented the remainder
of the sentence. That short walk was painful, and conflicting hopes and
fears chased each other in the sister's heart, as she tightened her hold on
Lilly's hand.
"Oh, what a beautiful carriage!" cried Claudia, as they approached the
door, and descried an elegant carriage, glittering with silver mountings,
and drawn by a pair of spirited black horses.
"Yes, that it is, and there is a lady and gentleman here who must be
very rich, judging from their looks. They brought Miss White."
"What do they want, Katy?" asked Claudia.
"I don't know for certain, though I have my own thoughts," answered
the girl, with a knowing laugh that grated on Beulah's ears.
"Here, Beulah, bring them to the dormitory," said Mrs. Williams,
meeting them at the door and hurrying them upstairs. She hastily
washed Claudia's face and recurled her hair, while the same offices
were performed for Lillian by her sister.
"Don't rub my hand so hard; you hurt," cried out Claudia sharply, as in
perfect silence, and with an anxious countenance, the kind matron
dressed her.
"I only want to get it white and clean, beauty," was the conciliatory
reply.
"Well, I tell you that won't come off, because it's turpentine," retorted
the self-willed little elf.
"Come, Beulah; bring Lilly along. Miss White is out of patience."
"What does all this mean?" said Beulah, taking her sister's hand.
"Don't ask me, poor child." As she spoke the good woman ushered the

trio into the reception room. None of the other children were present.
Beulah noted this circumstance, and, drawing a long breath, looked
around.
Miss White was eagerly talking to a richly dressed and very pretty
woman, while a gentleman stood beside them, impatiently twirling his
seal and watch-key.
All looked up, and Miss White exclaimed:
"Here they are! Now my dear Mrs. Grayson, I rather think you can be
suited. Come here, little ones." She drew Claudia to her side, while
Lilly clung closer to her sister.
"Oh, what beauties! Only look at them, Alfred!" Mrs. Grayson glanced
eagerly from one to the other.
"Very pretty children, indeed, my dear. Extremely pretty; particularly
the black-eyed one," answered her husband, with far less ecstasy.
"I don't know; I believe I admire the golden-haired one most. She is a
perfect fairy. Come here, my love, and let me talk to you," continued
she, addressing Lilly. The child clasped her sister's fingers more firmly,
and did not advance an inch.
"Do not hold her, Beulah. Come to the lady, Lillian," said Miss White.
As Beulah gently disengaged her hand, she felt as if the anchor of hope
had been torn from her hold; but, stooping down, she whispered:
"Go to the lady, Lilly darling; I will not leave you."
Thus encouraged, the little figure moved slowly forward, and paused in
front of the stranger. Mrs. Grayson took her small, white hands tenderly,
and, pressing a warm kiss on her lips, said in a kind, winning tone:
"What is your name, my dear?"
"Lillian, ma'am; but sister calls me Lilly."

"Who is 'sister'--little Claudia here?"
"Oh, no; sister Beulah." And the soft blue eyes turned lovingly toward
that gentle sister.
"Good Heavens, Alfred; how totally unlike! This is one of the most
beautiful children I have ever seen, and that girl yonder is ugly," said
the