The National tribune., 1881-08-27

be, she rode home, finding group OF happy chill
dren 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 III the merry
circle which sang:
g Here go round the mulberry bush
Il haven't brought her yet, DOttie," she SAID,
but she'll come soOn" and us Dot laughed and
moved on, the lady could not help thinking, Il
wonder how she can take it so coolly! Childlike,
suppose, but do think our children would have
felt it more if one of their number had been lost
Il should not have cried a bit about it" said
Dot to Alice Bright, little later, as they walked
arm-n-arm through the shrubbery, If she hadn't
had on her nice dress and such a beautiful
hat. 1t was the first time she ever wore them,
and" Dot sighed mournfuly-"I don't believe
she'll ever come back"
Alice looked at her in surprise, thinking this
very queer thing for her to say. She privately
told it to the nurse-naid who told the cook ana
house-maid, and they came out to look at Dot,
and all thought she must be a very queer child,
indeed. but certainly very nice-lOOkng one.
The carriage was sent for the expected 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
a brave attempt to look as if nothing was the
matter; she must not know till all hope of soon
finding the little one gone. The children
had been sent to play in another part OF the
grounds and she was hurried up stairs Before
long Mr. Prince and Mr. Bright were heard chat
ting in the parlOr below, and Mrs Brights kindly
heart grew heavier with every step she took as
she went down to put such dreadful end to their
friendly talk. She came before them with such
a quivering face that her husband seized her
hands in alarm.
80 Mr.. Prince" she said your little girl is
lost-but-she will be found soon, know-I'm
sure of it, sir She got left on the train-and
have telegraphed 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 Mr..
Bright laid his hand on his shoulder as he stepped
towards the door. There are men out search
ing-Mrs. Prince don't know
There was cherry sound of chidren's voices
and steps in the hall. The door opened suddenly,
and with Papa, dear, have You Gomez Dot
sprang into her fathers arms. 90, 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, must have misunderstood you" he
said; and his voice was strange, too. But at this
moment Dot heard her mother calling her. and
Il
She must be told tenderly, or it will kill her."
said Mrs Bright. She did not wait to hear any
thing more from Mr.. Prince, but flew after Dot,
But the bonny thing was already perched in
her mothers lap.
And, mamma poor Dottie's lost. | left her on
the car, and she's gone travelling away off, and
don't believe she'll ever come back"
Poor Mrs. Bright dropped into chair, waiting
helplessly for her friend to scream, faint or go
into Mysteries Mrs. Prince went on stroking the
light curls.
"Oh, well, never mind her, dear I've got y0u
t,ro yet. you know, and III get you another twin
sister"
Had she gone insane in one moment? Mrs.
Bright ran and threw her arms around her.
20 Emeline do you hear? Don't you under
stand what the child is telling yOu?"
why yes, Janet she has lost the doll she
called her twin sister, but it's matter of course"
"A doll! All this about DOLL
Mrs. Bright went to her room and laughed and
cried, and had camphor and aromatic vinegar for
half an hour Then Dot crept up to her and said:
"Oh dear, Mrs. Bright, Pm sorry. I'll never
play there two of us any more, nerer!" Mrs.
Bright shook her and hugged her. and said, as she
got up and brushed her hair for dinner:
"YOu dear little, funny little nuisance! Why
didn't you tell me the other one of you was made
of wax"
What became of her?
She sat in the corner of the seat not seeming
to mind being left there at all. Pretty soon
mother with two or three little children took the
seat, and what a marvel she was to them! They
hugged her and kissed her and quarreled over her
while they ate sticky gingerbread, till at last,
when they left she did not look quite as fresh as
before. The mother had a very hard time coax
ing them to leave her when they got Off Then
a gentleman came, who put her into the rack
overhead and she rode there all the afternoon
with one arm dangling down, and her pretty
French boots sticking out. All the little ones
looked up at her and laughed, and wondered if
the gentleman was taking her home to his little
girl.
When night came, and the train reached the
end of the route, she was left alone in the car
and the conductor took her to place where they
thipuS lost RI wait for Gonna ono