Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1886-03-04
STRAYED.

lay in Nurse Alice's arms, while tn
day was so bright and sunny, the SIX,
so blue azure.
Suddenly she sighed, and, slipping
from her big chair by the window
nestled coaxingly against Alice lispint
in a sweet, childish voice:
Me wants to 60 out, Alice; me viii
20 in the garden.
No, you can't Miss Dolly; present
ly, when baby sleeps. will take You
Until then rest quiet; YOU disturb him.
Dolly looked piteous; her rosebud
mouth took an ominous culver, ane
two big tears welled into her brown
eyes.
Mes tired; it is so hot here she
said. gazing longingly at the cool gar
den. full of trees and flowers, plainly
visible from the window.
Alice turned sharply, but netting
in the mites doleful face, the suspic
ious signs of coming storm, male hel
hastily change the few abrupt words to
kinder ones.
There, there, Miss Dolly; don't cry.
You shall 60 in the garden if you like,
only you mustn't dirty your pretty
clean dress, or 60 out of the gate,
Dolly's sober face frightened won
derfulIy, and gay smile wreathed her
lips.
Hastily clutching a rather ill-used :
looking doll from the corner, she tri-
umphantly descended the stairs, and
was soon running happily about the
garden, blue winged butterflies, and
busy dancing bees, as they flew from
flower to flower.
Presently, however, the child grew
tired Of this amusement, and looked
around for some other diversion.
AS she wandered aimlessly about,
the garden gate, partly open, attracted
her attention.
Eagerly rushing forward, she climb
ed upon it, and began swinging softly
to and fro.
Thia kept her occupied for several
moments, but after a while, forgetting
Alice's warning, Dolly slipped quietly
out into the road.
At first she hestated; then, gaining
courage, walked boldly away in the di-
rection Of the town.
Here she amused herself for a long
time, gazing into the shopwindoSs, adj
miring the pretty things displayed aud
more than one passerby stopped to look
in some surprise at the beautiful, dark
eyed child wandering about alone, with
her big battered doll Rugged closely in
her dlmp.ed arms.
Presently, after straying from one
street to another, unconscious Of the
distance she had traved Dolly began
to feel somewhat hungry AMI weary.
Standing still, she gazed curlously
around, but could not see no signs Of
her home; nor did she know in what
direction it lay.
Suddenly sweet smile crossed her
face. and stepping forward she entered
q large confectioner
Behind the counter stood a rosy,
good natured looking woman, Who
glanc questioningly at the tiny Gus
toner.
what do you want little one?' she
demanded, bending nearer.
Cakes Dolly lisped, pointing with
one small hand at the pile Of tarts and
buns on the counter.
The woman smiled amusedly; but
seeing Dolly WAS serious. che went
round to her.
Where is your mamma? Are you
alone?'
yes me run away the child e1-
planned gleefully.
Then will you stay with me until
your mamma finds your?
Yes
And with childish confidence Dolly
placed her hand in her new friends,
and allowed herself to be led into big
room, where she was fad on cakes to
her hearts content.
She is such a pretty little tbingl I
have half mind to keep her. the de-
lighted woman remarked to her hus-
band later.
Lee shrugged his shoulders and
smiI' d grinly.
Perhaps her mother might object to
your idea
She wouldn't know about it I
could easily hide the child away when
she came to seek for her.
DO az Won like. am nuite willino