The Giant Wistaria––––––––
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“MEDDLE NOT WITH MY new vine, child! See! Thou hast already broken the tender shoot! Never needle or distaff for thee, and yet thou wilt not be quiet!”
The nervous fingers wavered, clutched at a small carnelian cross that hung from her neck, then fell despairingly.
“Give me my child, mother, and then I will be quiet!”
“Hush! hush! thou fool—some one might be near! See—there is thy father coming, even now! Get in quickly!”
She raised her eyes to her mother’s face, weary eyes that yet had a flickering, uncertain blaze in their shaded depths.
“Art thou a mother and hast no pity on me, a mother? Give me my child!”
Her voice rose in a strange, low cry, broken by her father’s hand upon her mouth.
“Shameless!” said he, with set teeth. “Get to thy chambe
