She kissed Clover several times, and gave Katy a long, close hug; then
she produced a parcel daintily hid in silver paper.
"Tanta," she said,--this was a pet name lately invented for Katy,--"here
is something for you from mamma. It's something quite particular, I think,
for mamma cried when she was writing the note; not a hard cry, you know,
but just two little teeny-weeny tears in her eyes. She kept smiling,
though, and she looked happy, so I guess it isn't anything very bad. She
said I was to give it to you with her best, _best_ love."
Katy opened the parcel, and beheld a square veil of beautiful old blonde.
The note said:
This was my wedding-veil, dearest Katy, and my mother wore it
before me. It has been laid aside all these years with the idea
that perhaps Amy might want it some day; but instead I send it
to you, without whom there would be no Amy to wear this or
anything else. I think it would please Ned to see it on your
head, and I know it would make me very happy; but if you don't
feel like using it, don't mind for a moment saying so to
Your loving
POLLY.
[Illustration: "Katy opened the parcel, and beheld a square veil of
beautiful old blonde."]
Katy handed the note silently to Clover, and laid her face for a little
while among the soft folds of the lace, about which a faint odor of roses
hung like the breath of old-time and unforgotten loves and affections.
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