Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1881-08-20
Dot smiled. 81 told her howl played

think she's very nice to invite her, too.
l suppose all the little girls will have
their dolls. Can we go, mammal"
81 think so, but stay-our aid society
meets that afternoon, and am one Of
the managers, and must be there. I'm
sorry, little daughter, but I'm afraid
you'll have to go a little late, with papa
and me-"
Dots face fell. Then her papa spoke;
It's only few miles out there;
can put her under the conductors care,
and he'll place her in Mrs. Bright's
hands"
"Oh, she's too little to 90 so," said
her mother. 81 don't think could let
her. Something might happen to her."
"What could happenP" 1t really was
not easy to say what; and Dot coaxed,
and papa seconded her, till mamma
gave an unwilling consent. So, in due
time, with many cautions to herself and
the conductor, Dot was placed in seat
in the car, closely hugging the darling
Dottie, in all the glory of her new dress
peacock blue with cardinal pipings,
and hat precisely like Dots own.
"She looks so becoming in i'll" Dot
assured her mother, with immense sat
isfaction.
Many smile awakened at sight of the
dainty little lassie, carrying the small
ditto of herself But Dot did not find it
as nice as she had expected. She had
never before seen only strange faces
around her, and she soon began to Won
der how she ever could have left her
mother. She sat Dottie in a corner of a
seat, and waited anxiously as several
stations were passed in closely-settled
city suburbs, glad when the conductor
took her hand aud led her out upon the
platform of way-station.
"I was to leave this child in charge of
Mrs. Bright" he said, speaking in
haste to man who seemed to be in
charge. 4" / can't wait a moment"
"Mrs. Bright is not here, but | sup
pose she will be soon, if she was to meet
some one," was the answer. "She lives
very near, and if she doesn't come I'll
send the little girl to her by safe
hands"
The conductor knew the man was to
be trusted, so he stepped on board his
train, and it soon sped out sight. And
not till the last car disappeared around
n curve did poor Dot remember, with
grief and dismay, that in her haste she
had forgotten Dottie, her precious twin
sister-blue dress, new hat and all.
1t would have been bad enough to be
left alone this way, without having to
bear such misfortune, too. The man
spoke pleasantly to her and gave her q
chair, and she sat there with a big lump
gathering in her throat, and tears clam
oring to get out of her blue eyes. Five,
ten, fifteen, yes, twenty minutes she
waited, and then horse was driven up
fast, and Mrs. Bright, in u great flutter,
came half tumbling out of pretty rock
away.
"You poor little darling-no one tC
meet you, and you all alone! To think
of that wretched buckle breaking in the
harness just as we were starting St
sorry to get your mothers note that she
couldn't come till late. But where's
your sister?n
As the tightly pressed lips opened tt
answer, the tears would not keep bach
any longer.
"I-she's on the car" sobbed poo
Dot. "She's gone"
"Whatl" exclaimed Mrs. Bright
raising her hands in horror; edo you
mean that she's gone on in the tramp
Dots sobs redoubled at sight of he
agitation, and Mrs. Bright saw that i
would not do to excite the child further
She led her out and put her in the car
riage, where she was much comforted u
sight of little girl rather older thai
herself. The lady then returned to thu
station-master.
"Mr. Barton, what shall do? wha
shall | do? That child's sister has gon,
on in the train. Do telegraph some
where-quick!"
every strange! The conductor pu
her off here. That train," he looke'
up n timetable, SIS beyond Glendal
by this time. Hamilton will be the bes
place for her to get off and take dow
JFuln. w nat shall Say!
"Oh, dear, let me sea little girl
about eight, l believe-how was you
sister dressed, Dottie?n she cried, run
ming ont to the carriage.
"Just like me, ma'am."
"Of course. Well, don't Cry an
more, pet, we'll have her back here Soor
John, drive The children home, an
come back for me-"
dressed in blue-they're twins
Oh, dear, such a mite of q thing to b
off by herself! When is the next trai
up?-I believe l will go after her my
self.n
"Don't you fret now, man. This
wouldn't do any good, for like as nc
you'd miss her coming back. They
take good care of her, and return her a
right, you'll see."
Mrs. Bright walked up and down tn
platform, thinking the answer nevC
would come. At last:
"Here 'tis!" But as Mr.. Barto
penciled it off his face grew blank.
ran:
"No such child on train. She got Q
at Groveland."
Mrs. Bright looked at him in terro
"What does it mean?n she gaspeC
"There were two"
"I'm blamed if | know, ma'am," /
said; 81 never knew such a thing
happen before"
! "What can we do next?" she said,
| tremble in her voice.
! "She might have got off at one of IL
, stations above here. might Telegram
l. and inquire"
eyes, yes-telegraph, anywhere"
: Some train-dispatchers were passin!
and the answers were some time d
: layed. But at last it was ascertainC
that nothing had been seen of any sue