Gratia's Trials — page 67: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

58 | GRATIA’S TRIALS. But instead of following this experienced counsel, Gratia took the wretched child tenderly in her arms. He opened his eyes and looked feebly up. ‘‘He’s sleepy,” said George. ‘‘ Nurse gave him two or three spoonfuls of sleepy drink last night, ‘cause he cried. I heerd him, out of my crib.” ‘‘ Hush !” said Mrs. Simmons, stamping her ist on the floor. ‘‘Land o’ liberty! what long tongues these children have! — Here, Grace,” tossing a key toward her, ‘‘ put Aleck down, and let him be quiet for three seconds ata time, if he will. You go to the closet, and see if anything ails Flora. She's left off whining this good while.” Following the direction of Mrs. Simmons’ outstretched finger, Gratia unlocked thé door of adark closet, half full of mildewed boots and shoes, and stuffy-smelling clothes, and there, crouched up in a little heap, close to the threshold, lay a child, with rigid features, and tangled yellow curls, all matted together over an ashen face. ‘‘ Gracious heavens !” exclaimed Gratia, clasping her hace ‘“she is dead |” CHAPTER XI. GRATIA LEAVES HER SITUATION, “Mercy on us!” cried Mrs. Simmons, ‘‘ What a fool the girl is! Shut the door again ; she is doing well enough ; she’s asleep ; I'm used to their deceitful ways, and you ain’t.” Gratia bent over and placed her hand against the: child’s lips, listening a moment for the breath that did not come. ‘“Oh, Mrs. Simmons, the poor little thing is insensible !” Mrs. Simmons started to her feet. | ‘«T don’t believe it !” she exclaimed ; but there was a curious white streak across her forehead, and a terrified light in her comicbooks:com