YOURS WITH ALL MY HEART 



They said, half whispering, "How can 

 the little thing mistrust it?" 



''That's just what breaks my heart," said 

 mamma; "she knows it already, and she 

 looks at me with such great pleading eyes. 

 She hasn't seen one thing to tell her; they 

 surely can read our very thoughts." 



"I know they can," said aunt Mary. 

 "But you can be sure, Stella, that we will 

 do all in our power to make her happy. 

 She will be thinking every day that you are 

 coming back, and she will play with Spor- 

 tum, and the doctor will talk to her, to help 

 pass the time away, the same as he always 

 does." 



I shook and trembled as though I had an 

 ague chill ; the terrible dread at my heart had 

 taken shape mamma and papa were go- 

 ing away to leave me! 



I know, now, that mamma had almost a 

 mind to give it up for days, as, with a sober 

 face, she found me curled inside her half- 

 packed trunk or an open suit-case. 



I had seen the packing every fall and 

 spring, but I never was so apprehensive 

 before. I would not let papa nor mamma 

 go out of my sight for one moment, but 



269 



