Part 56 (1/2)
Suddenly Mrs Ward's hand was taken by Maggie and covered with kisses
”Oh, I will try!” she said; ”I will try hard to be really good! And,”
she added, ”I will take any punishiveeyes She was a very keen observer of character She put her hand under the girl's chin and looked into her downcast face
”My dear,” she said, ”full and absolute forgivenessaith punishment You have suffered sorely; I will not add to your suffering in any way Now, go and prepare for to-morrow's entertainment--Aneta, you will stay with ie left the room, but in a short time she returned She carried in her arms the two tin boxes which contained her father's treasures
”I want you to keep these for me, or to sell theie She then immediately left the room
Mrs Ward and Aneta bent over the treasures Mrs Ward gave a start of great surprise when she saw them
”Why, these,” she said, ”are a fortune in the ”I felt sure of it We et that brooch back from Pearce”
”Yes, Aneta; I will send Miss Johnson round for it at once What did you say he gave Maggie for it?”
”Five pounds, Mrs Ward”
”It is very honest of hi the bell, dear, and Lucy Johnson will come”
Miss Johnson was verytreasures
”Maggie's!” she exclaiiven them to you to take care of for her I was always terrified at her keeping such priceless things in her drawer”
Mrs Ward gave the girl some directions and the necessary money; she went off to fulfill her errand in considerable amazement Lucy returned in less than half-an-hour with the lovely little brooch, which was immediately added to the collection
”The best person to see these, as you suggested, Aneta,” said Mrs
Ward, ”is Sir Charles Lysle They are really no good to Maggie, but ought to be sold for their utmost value for her benefit She has th of character; and if you take her up, dear, I feel certain that she will be saved fros which would ruin a nature like hers”
”I mean to take her up,” said Aneta with spirit
”Well,” said Mrs Ward, ”the first thing to do is to get to-morrow over I have no doubt it will be a success Meanwhile, will you write a line to your uncle, Sir Charles, and ask him if he can call here to see these treasures?”