ONLY A ROSE
A TRUE STORY

One day, many years ago, Mother summoned all of us
children—Marie, Gertrude, and me—to her sitting-room,
and made an announcement.

“Children,” said she, “I am going to the country with
your father, to remain a week.”

Dear me! how our hearts sank!

“Miss Ellis will remain at home with you,” continued
Mother, “and I trust she will have a pleasant account to
give me on my return. She will tell me, I think, Marie,
that you have been a kind, faithful girl, keeping good
watch over your younger sisters.” (Marie smiled, though
her eyes were fast filling with tears.) “That you, Lilly,
have been quite steady, getting into no mischief whatever.”
(I was the wild one of the household.) “And that you,
my little Rosebud” (kissing Gertrude), “have obeyed her
in everything like a little lady.”

When Mother ceased speaking, she put her arms round

o
us, and looked into our faces to see what answers she
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