The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-09-03

drsn would have felt Il more II one Of
their number had been lost"
81 should not have cried . bit about
II" said Dot tn Alice Bright, . little
later, ~ they walked arm.in.arm through
the shrubbery, ali she hadn't had ON
her nice new dress, and such . beauti.
full hat. It was the first time she ever
wore them. and" Dot sighed mourn.
fully" don't believe she'll ever come
Alice looked al her In surprise, think.
Ing this very queer thing for her 70
say. She privately told II to the nurse.
maid, who told the cook and house.
maid, and they came out to look at Dot,
and all thought she must be very queer
child. indeed, but certainly was very
nice.looking one.
The carriage was sent for the expect
ed guests, and nothing had been heard
of the lost child. Mrs. Prince came in
it, the gentlemen preferring to walk.
Mrs. Bright met her at the door with q
brave attempt to look as if nothing was
the matter; she must not know till all
hope of soon finding the little one was
gone. The children had been sent to
play in another part Of the grounds, and
she was hurried upstairs. Before long
Mr.. Prince and Mr.. Bright were heard
chatting in the parlor below, and Mrs.
Bright's kindly heart grew heavier with
every step she took, as she went down to
put such a dreadful end to their friendly
talk. She came before them with such
q quivering face that her husband seized
her hands in alarm.
"Oh, Mr.. Prince" she said, "your lit
tie girl is lost-but-she will be found
soon, l know-I'm sure of it, sir. She
got left on the train-and We have tele-
graphed and telegraphed, but she isn't
found yet."
He started to his feet and listened with
a white face, his mind going back to the
moment when he had led his little
daughter into the car that afternoon,
rather against her mothers wish.
"Stay, sir" went on Mrs. Bright and
MIR. Bright laid his hand on his shoulder
as he stepped toward the door. "There
are men out searching-Mrs. Prince
don't know"
There was CHEEKY sound of chill
dren's voices and steps in the hall. The
door opened suddenly, and with a
"Papa, dear, have you Gomez" Dot
sprang into her fathers arms. 80,
papa, don't squeeze me 80 hard, you
hurt me-" she cried as he turned with
what she thought very strange look to
Mrs. Bright.
Madam, must have misunderstood
you," he said; and his voice was
strange, too. But at this moment Dot
heard her mother calling her, and she
slipped from his arms and ran upstairs.
"She must be told tenderly, or it will
kill her." said Mrs. Bright. She did not
wait to hear anything more from Mr..
Prince, but few after Dot. But the
bonny thing was c.lready perched in he,
mothers lap.
"And, mamma, poor Dottie's lost.
left her on the car, and she's gone trav.
cling away off, and I don't believe shell
ever come back?"
Poor Mrs. Bright dropped into q
chair, waiting helplessly for her friend
to scream, faint, or 60 into Mysteries
Mrs. Prince went on stroking the light
curls.
"oh, well, never mind her, dear. Nv.
got you, too, yet, you know, and III ge1
You another twin sister,"
Had she gone insane in one moment
Mrs. Bright ran and threw her ARM
around her.
"Oh, Emeline, do you hear? Dom
you understand what the child il tell
ing youw
"Why, yes, Janet: she has lost tn,
doll she called her twin sister, but it's M
matter, Of course.''
"a doll! All this about doll!"
Mrs. Bright went to her room and
laughed and cried, and had campho1
and aromatic vinegar for half an hour
Then Dot crept up to her and said:
"Oh dear, Mrs. Bright, I'm so sorry
III never play there was two Of US any
more, pever!N' Mrs. Bright shook hel
and hugged her, and said, as she got W
and brushed her hair for dinner:
"You dear little, funny little nui
sance! Why didn't you tell me tn
other one Of you was made Of waxw
What became Of herr
She sat in the corner of the seat, no
seeming to mind being left there ct oil
Pretty soon mother With two or thre
little children took the seat, and what
marvel she was to them! They hugge,
her and kissed her and quarreled owe
her while they ate sticky gingerbread
till at last, when they left, she did no
look quite q fresh as before. tn
mother had very hard time coaxinl
them to leave her whom they got Of
Then . gentleman came, Who put he
into the rack overhead, and she rod
there all tho afternoon, With ono Urn
dangling down, and her pretty Frencl
boots sticking out. All the little one
looked up ct her and laughed. aud Won
dered II tho gentleman was taking be
home TO his little girl.
When night came, and the trail
reached the end Of tho route, she NJ
left alone In the car, and the conducto
took her to . place where they kes
things lost or forgotten, 10 wait forsoua
one 70 claim them. No, one came n
Dottie, and after : few days be took he
to hia lodging.house. Hehad no Nttl
/ 49, - "A M ns..> h.aA 4. >N>>~ -