Alcott, Louisa May - SSC 11 by Glimpses of Louisa (v2.1)

It
proved to be a crystal slipper, apparently full of rosebuds; but under the
flowers lay five-and-twenty shining gold dollars. A little card with these
words was tucked in one corner, as if, with all their devices to make the
offering as delicate and pretty as possible, the givers feared to offend:—
                            
"We return to our dear Princess the glass slipper which she lost at the
ball, full of thanks and good wishes."
                            
If the kind young persons who sent the fanciful gift could have seen how it was
received, their doubts would soon have been set at rest; for Jessie laughed and
cried as she told the story, counted the precious coins, and filled the pretty
shoe with water that the buds might keep fresh for Laura. Then, while the
needles flew and the gay garments were fitted, the happy voices talked and the
sisters rejoiced together over this unexpected pleasure as only loving girls
could do.
                            
"The sweetest part of all the splendid surprise is that they remembered me
just at the busiest time, and thanked me in such a lovely way. I shall keep
that glass slipper all my life, if I can, to remind me not to despair; for just
when everything seemed darkest, all this good luck came," said Jessie,
with ecstatic skips as she clanked the brass heels of her boots and thought of
the proud moment when she would join in the tzardas before all Boston.
                            
Gentle Laura rejoiced and sympathized heartily, sewed like a busy bee, and sent
her happy sister away at seven o'clock with her sweetest smile, never letting
her suspect what tender hopes and fears were hidden in her own heart, what
longing and disappointment made her days doubly sad and lonely, or how very
poor a consolation all the glories of the Kirmess would be for the loss of a
friend who had grown very near and dear to her.
                            
No need to tell the raptures of that evening to little Jessie, who enjoyed
every moment, played her part well, and was brought home at midnight ready to
begin all over again, so inexhaustible is youth's appetite for pleasure.
                            
To her great surprise, Laura was up and waiting to welcome her, with a face so
full of a new and lovely happiness that Jessie guessed at once some good
fortune had come to her also. Yes, Laura's well-earned reward and beautiful
surprise had arrived at last; and she told it all in a few words as she held
out her arms exclaiming,—
                            
"He has come back! He loves me, and I am so happy! Dear little sister, all
your hard times are over now, and you shall have a home again."
                            
So the dreams came true, as they sometimes do even in this work-a-day world of
ours, when the dreamers strive as well as hope, and earn their rewards.
                            
Laura had a restful summer at the seaside, with a stronger arm than Jessie's to
lean upon, and more magical medicine to help her back to health than any mortal
doctor could prescribe. Jessie danced again with a light heart,—for pleasure,
not for pay,—and found the new life all the sweeter for the trials of the old
one. In the autumn there was a quiet wedding, before three very happy people
sailed away to Italy ,
the artist's heaven on earth.
                            
"No roses for me," said Jessie, smiling at herself in the mirror as
she fastened a spray of rosy ivy-leaves in the bosom of her fresh white gown
that October morning. "I'll be true to my old friend; for it helped me in
my dark days, and now it shall rejoice with me in my bright ones, and go on
teaching me to climb bravely and patiently toward the light."

MY RED CAP
 
 
   
 
 
                            
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