Part 20 (1/2)

”You musn't be too anxious about the prize, Dolly, darling,” said her mother, noticing the tired face, ”or I am afraid you will fall ill from worry. I am quite glad to think the breaking-up party is to-morrow.

Mind, dear, I shall not be disappointed if you fail. I can trust my child, and I know she has done her best.”

Dolly flushed crimson. Her mother trusted her, and imagined she knew every thought of her childish heart. How little mother knew the misery Dolly was enduring!

All was excitement at the school. The prize-giving only took place once a year, and many and great were the hopes and fears on that eventful day. Some girls were of opinion that Dolly would carry off the coveted prize, others that she had lost ground of late, and failed utterly.

Dolly, quite aware of her shortcomings, was yet vaguely longing for success. Her rival in the cla.s.s was older and cleverer than herself, but without the perseverance that characterized Dolly, therefore Dolly hoped on until the prize-giving began.

Everything pa.s.sed as in a dream, until Dolly's cla.s.s was mentioned, when Miss Danvers, the head mistress, in a short speech declared that the prize had been won, after a severe struggle, by Lucy Trevor. At the same time she was giving a special prize, because of the good conduct and perfect uprightness and truth of the unsuccessful compet.i.tor. This prize she awarded to Dolly Ferrars. She held up a beautiful Bible, bound in white vellum.

”This is the prize of honor,” she said.

Dolly's heart stood still. She had forgotten her disappointment about the cla.s.s prize in an overwhelming sense of shame.

”Go up, Dolly,” said mother proudly.

”I can't,” said Dolly. ”I--I--”

”Go on, darling,” said mother, gently pus.h.i.+ng her. And Dolly went.

In silence she accepted the Bible, and laid it on her mother's knee.

”I am so tired,” she said.

”We will go now,” whispered mother. ”The excitement has been too much for you.”

They slipped quietly away and returned home.

”Mother!” cried Dolly, as they were alone. ”Oh, mother dear, I can't take that prize, I don't deserve it. I have failed in truth and honor. I am so miserable!”

Mrs. Ferrars, bewildered at Dolly's words, soothed her while she poured out the story of her conduct on the ice.

”And I have no right to the prize,” she said. ”What shall I do?”

”We will return it to Miss Danvers,” said mother, gently; ”at least for a time.” She looked very pale and sad. ”But, darling,” she added, as she folded Dolly in her arms, ”if you are really sorry and have through repentance learned to conquer in the fight between right and wrong, you are still a winner of the true prize of honor!”

The WAVES.

A pert little wave by the sea-sh.o.r.e one day, Came das.h.i.+ng along in its impudent way; A wee little maiden was straying too near.

Said the wavelet--I'll catch you my child, never fear, ”I will carry you home to a bed in the sea, ”I will rock you as snug as on Mother's own knee.”

But the child answered merrily, Mother is near, ”So dash away, splash away, I do not fear ”Dash away, splash away, back to the sea, ”Mother is keeping her watch over me.”

A cruel wave rolled o'er the night clouded sea, And the sailors were fearful as e're they could be, The vessel lay tossing, the north wind blew drear, Said the wave, ”I will rock you to sleep, never fear,”

But a brave tar looked up, with a light in his eye, And a swift prayer was sent thro the threatening sky To his heart came the answer, in voice, sweet and clear, ”Ye shall weather the tempest true heart, never fear.”