"Take it, Estralla! It is for you. Truly it is," and Sylvia's tone was
so serious that Estralla came slowly forward and took the doll.
For a moment the two little girls stood looking at each other in
silence, Sylvia smiling, hut Estralla with a surprised, half-anxious
expression.
"Don't be afraid of it. Can't you have a doll of your own?" said Sylvia.
"Mebbe I can," replied Estralla, and then two big tears ran down her
black cheeks.
"I'se got so much now, Missy Sylvia, dat I dunno as 'tis safe fer me to
hev a doll," she whispered; but in a moment she was all smiles, and ran
off to show her new treasure to her mother.
The pictures and the lockets proved all that Sylvia had hoped, and on
New Year's day, when Grace came in for her daily visit, Sylvia gave her
a small package.
"Please open it, Gracie!" she said, all eagerness to see her friend's
delight.
Mr. Fulton had purchased a slender chain for each locket, and as Grace
held up the pretty gift she exclaimed delightedly: "Oh, Sylvia! It is
lovely, and I'll always wear it," and looked at the tiny picture of her
friend with smiling satisfaction.
Sylvia had written a letter to Flora, and Grace promised to see that the
locket and letter should reach her safely.
Every day Mr. Robert Waite or his brother escorted Mr. Fulton upon any
errand of business to which he was obliged to attend. News had reached
Charleston that a steamer with supplies and reinforcements for Major
Anderson was on its way, and Mr.
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