Page:Morning-Glories and Other Stories.djvu/74

Rh a friend, for she was very lonely; and they fell to talking quite as if they had known one another a long time. "I cannot understand why I was not drowned in coming hither," said the elf, when she had told her troubles.

"You must have some fairy charm about you, and that made the water harmless," answered the sprite.

Then Blush remembered her talisman, and looked at it, longing to feel her mother's arms about her, and hear her gentle voice comforting her sorrow. Like Moss and Brier, she had forgotten to look often at it and be guided by its smiles or tears. Now it was a most consoling thought, that, though she was so plain, her mother would still love her, still wait and hope to see her, and have no reproach for her if she were only good. Now it seemed time to begin her task, and, having no beauty to fill her little head with vain fancies, her heart woke up from its long sleep and bade her live for better things.

"Kind sprite, can you help me to be humble, generous, and truly useful? I desire to do well, but I have spent my days in foolish play, and now I cannot tell how it is best to cure my vanity," she said, with tears in her dim eyes. "Live for others, Blush; forget yourself, and care for the beauty of a simple, earnest heart more than for loveliness of face or grace of form. Nothing can change or take this charm away; and I will help you to obtain it, if you really care for it."

"I do, I do; try me, and see if I am not sincere."

The sprite believed her, and till twilight fell amused the elf in her own charming manner,—teaching her to