Suzanna Stirs the Fire by Emily Calvin Blake
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page 22 of 297 (07%)
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strawberries. With a little sigh Suzanna obeyed. And now, instead of
returning to the garden, the old lady led the way into the parlor, which lay to the right of the hall. She went straight to the picture that hung above a marble mantel. Below the picture in the center of the mantel rested a crystal vase containing sprays of lilies of the valley. "This was my king," murmured the old lady, and Suzanna looked up into the pictured face. "I like him," she said immediately; "has he gone far away?" At these words the old lady suddenly sank down into a chair and covered her face with her hands. She began to cry softly, but in a way that hurt Suzanna inexpressibly. She stood for a moment hesitant. The sobs still continued and then Suzanna, deciding on her course, went to the little shaking figure and put her hands softly on the drooping shoulders. "Can I help you," she asked. "Just tell me what to do for you." "Nothing," came the muffled tones, "there is no one to do for me; no one to do for me in love. I am alone, forgotten." "Haven't you a brother or a sister?" in a moment she asked softly. "No one," said the little lady. "Oh, then," said Suzanna pityingly, as a dire thought came to her, "there's no one to call you by your first name!" And then the old lady lowered her hands and looked into Suzanna's face. |
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