The National tribune., 1881-08-27

DOt smiled L lolu nef now plsiSeu h'su Il
twin sister, mamma, and think she's very nice
to invite her, too, l suppose all the little girls
will have their dolls. Can we 90, mammal"
Il think so, but stay-Our Aid Society meets
that afternoon. and | am of the managers,
and must be there. I'm sorry, little daughter,
but I'm afraid You'll have to 90 late, with papa
and me-"
Dots face fell. Then her papa spoke:
q 1t is only few miles out there; | can put her
under the conductors care, and he'll place her in
Mrs Brights hands"
Oh she's too little to 90 So said her mother.
Il don't think [ couId let her. Something might
happen to her"
what coud happen?" 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 car
dinal pipings, and hat precisely like Dots own.
"She looks becoming in it," Dot assured
her mother with immense satisfaction
Many smile awakened at sight of the dainty
little lasSie carrying the small ditto of herself
But Dot did not find it nice as she had expected
She had never before seen only strange faces
around her. and she soon began to wonder how
she ever could have left her mother. She sat
DOttie in corner of the seat, and waited anN-
iouSly, rs several stations were passed in the
clOSely-Setted city suburbs. glad when the con-
ductor took her hand and led her out upon the
platform of a way-statiOn.
Il was to leave this child with a Mrs. Bright"
i -, no mod
to be in charge. - can't wait moment"
Mrs. Bright is not here, but | suppose 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
50 he stepped on board his train, and it sped
out of sight And not till the last ear disap-
peared around a 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 a mistor-
tune too. The man spoke pleasantly to her and
gave her chair and she sat there with a big
lump gathering in her throat and tears clamoring
to get ont of her blue eyes. Five, ten, fifteen,
y
was driven up fast, and Mrs. Bright, in great
futter came half tumbling out of a pretty
rOckaway
you poor little daring-no one to meet you,
and you all alone. To think of that wretched
buckle breaking in the harness just as were
starting! So sorry to get your mothers note that
she couldn't come till late. But where's your
sister,"
As the tightly pressed lips opened to answer,
the tears would not keep back any longer.
"I-she's en- the car" sobbed poor Dot. She's
gone
What" exclaimed Mrs. Bright raising her
hands in horror: do you mean that she's gone
on in the train?"
Dots s0bs redOubled at sight of her agitation.
and Mrs. Bright saw that it would not do to ex-
cite the child further She led her out and put
her in the carriage where she was much COM
forted at sight of little girl rather older than
herself The lady then returned to the station
master.
Mr. Barton, what shall do? what shall do?
That child's sister has gone on in the train. Do
telegraph sOmewhere-quici.
Very strange The conductor put her off
here That train" he looked up "A time table, is
beyond Glendale by this time. Hamilton will be
the best place for her to get off and take down
train. What shall | say"
"Oh dear, let me sea little girl, about eight,
| believe-how was your sister dressed Dottie?"
she cried, running out to the carriage.
Just like me, maam."
"Of course. Well don't cry any more, pet,
We'll have her back here soon. John, drive the
children home, and come back for me-"
dressed in blue-they're twins. Oh dear,
such mite of thing to be off by herself. When
is the next train up?-I believe I'll 90 after her
myself"
Don't you fret now, ma'am That wouldn't
do any good, for like as not you'd miss her coming
back. They'll take good care of her, and return
her all right, you'll see"
Mrs. Bright walked up and down the platform,
thinking the answer never would come At last
Here 'tis!" But as Mr.. Barton penciled it off
his face grew blank. 1t ran:
"No such child on train. she got off at GIore-
Idnd."
Mrs. Bright looked at him in terror
What does it mean?" she gasped. There
were two"
"I'm blamed if | know, ma am he said Il
never knew such thing to happen before"
"What can we do next?" she said, a tremble in
her voice.
"She might have got off at one of the stations
above here | might telegraph and inquire"
eyes, yes-telegraph anywhere"