MILLIES VICTORY.

 "I can't say that, Aunt Millicent," she answered,
 steadily.
 Why not, pray ? Oh! so you must go and make
 a long story over my cruelty, eh ? "
 Aunt, I shan't say anything about it. I shan't,
 indeed."
 But they will ask you. Look, Millicent. Here
 is your mother's locket. Promise me to say you fell
 down, and you shall have it back. If not, I will throw
 it in the fire."
 "Aunt, aunt, I cannot tell a story. I won't tell
 them; but I cannot tell a story " Millie exclaimed,
 painfully.
 "Please give me the locket; oh, please."
 Promise me, then."
 "Oh, I can't, I can't win back mamma's locket by
 "a lie. Aunt, you wouldn't wish me to do it. You are
 "a Christian, aunt, and I am sure you wouldn't."
 "'Tisn't a worse story than you have told hundreds
 of times," exclaimed Miss Conway, hastily. "'Tisn't
 a story at all-in fact, I don't wish you to tell a lie "
 "What do you mean, aunt ?"
 "I only want you to make them think you may
 have fallen down and hurt yourself."
 Millie put her hands over her eyes, trying to see
 the difference, longing to see it, to get the dear locket
 back.
 "c Oh, aunt! I can't do it. It's wrong, I cannot,
I cannot win mamma's locket back like that; don't
ask me."
 "Oh dear, it is no difference to me, I don't care.
I only hope you will always be so angelic. Now, go to
bed, or you will be ill. Not another word, go to bed."
 Millie crept up stairs, feeling ill already, but thank-
ful she had not promised.