Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1881-08-25

claimed Mrs. Bright, now nearly UcSlOo
herself. "Send men on foot all along
the road. must 60 into the city at
once and see Mr.. Bright and the child's
parents-they were to come out at half
past five-but we must advertise in all
the papers, and get out the police"
g See here, ma am" said Mr.. Barton,
in real pity for her distress, ''I'd advise
You TO stay out here and let them come.
We may hear something before that
time, and then they needn't be alarmed.
I'll send out good men, and they III tele-
graph the moment they find her. You'd
better 60 home, ma am, and I'll let you
know the first word hear"
Mrs. Bright knew this would be best.
With cold chill at her heart at thought
of what might be, she rode home, find
ing group of happy children at play
on the lawn.
Dot had soon made friends with the
little Brights and others, and had almost
forgotten her troubles. She looked at
Mrs. Bright as she drew near, but did
not leave her place in the merry circle
which sang
"Here we go round the mulberry bush."
ST haven't brought her yet, Dottie,"
she said, "but she'll come soon," and
as Dot laughed and moved on, the lady
could not help thinking, ''I wonder
how she can take it so coolly! Child
like, 1 suppose, but do think our chill
dren would have felt it more if one of
their number had been lost"
81 should not have cried a bit about
it, said Dot to Alice Bright, a little
later, as they walked arm-in-arm through
the shrubbery, s'i she hadn't had on
her nice new dress, and such beauti-
full hat. 1t was the first time she ever
wore them, and Dot sighed mourn
fully" don't believe she'll ever come
back.''
Alice looked at her in surprise, think
ing this very queer thing for her to
say. She privately told it to the nurse
maid, who told the cook and house
maid, and they came out to look at Dot,
a.d 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
oil hn no
| a quivering face that her husband seized
her hands in alarm.
ooh, Mr.. Prince" she said, ''your lit
tie girl is lost-but-she will be found
soon, 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
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
Mr.. 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 a CHEEKY sound of chill
dren's voices and steps in the hall. The
door opened suddenly, and with a
i" Papa, dear, have you Gomez" Dot
sprang into her fathers arms. go,
papa, don't squeeze me so hard, you
hurt me,' she cried as he turned with
what she thought very strange look to
Mrs. Bright.
Madam, I must have misunderstood
you," he said; and his voice was
| DIT ok MT lof
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 flew after Dot. But the
bonny thing was already perched in hel
mothers lap.
"And, mamma, poor Dottie's lost.
left her on the car, and she's gone trav.
cling away off, and l don't believe She
ever come backP"
Poor Mrs. Bright dropped into 9
chair, waiting helplessly for her friend
to scream, faint, or 60 into Mysteries
Mrs. Prince went on stroking the light
curls.
ooh, well, never mind her, dear. I've
got you, too, yet, you know, and Ill gel
you another twin sister,"
Had she gone insane in one moment
Mrs. Bright ran and threw her arm;
around her.
ooh, Emeline, do you hear? Dom
you understand what the child is tell
ing your"
"Why, yes, Janet: she has lost the
doll she called her twin sister, but it's ne
matter, of course"
81 doll! All this about a doll!"
Mrs. Bright went to her room and
laughed and cried, and had camphol
and aromatic vinegar for half an hour
Then Dot crept up to her and said:
ooh dear, Mrs. Bright, I'm so sorry
I'll never play there was two of us any
more, neUer - Mrs. Bright shook hel
and Rugged her, and said, as she got VI
!; and brushed her hair for dinner:
"You dear little, funny little nui
sance! Why didn't you tell me thu
other one of you was made of waxp"
What became of her?
Che cot IN tho oornor Of tho SnQf no