The Wilmingtonian., 1888-07-07
ETHELINDA.

before nerj ranged IN row, were ner
six dolls, the treasures of her heart, at
whom she was gazing SO mournfully
it really seemed as if her detection
had communicated itself to them, and
their very attitudes expressed misery.
"Why, it isn't a funeral, is it!"
went on Aunt Sophie, coming up to
the group in haste.
"Most as bad," answered Marjorie,
lifting fearful brown eyes. "I'm
trying to think which one to give
away"
"To give away! Why | thought
you loved your dollies far too well to
think of such thing" cried Auntie.
$50 l do. That's just what makes
me feel SO bad," answered the quiver-
ing lips. "Nobody loves them the
way | do"
"Well, you know Hitty, don't you!"
said Marjorie, nesting close to
Auntie, and finding it great relief to
confide her troubles, like all the rest
of us.
"That little Irish girl round the
cornerl the one with queer eyes
yes"
"She's broke her leg" went on the
child, with sigh. "An' she'll have
to lie in bed a long time. AM she
hasn't any dollies, Auntie; not a one,
even. All little girls need dollies,
you know, specially when they're
sick. What could l do without Ethel
when I had the measles, don't you
know 2"
"Of course l do. She was real
comfort, wasn't she?" and Aunt
Sophie regarded Ethel (who had seen
her best days and was now rather
dilapidated) with kindly amusement.
$50 them" Majorie went on, 81
thought / ought to give her one of
mine. 'Tisn't right for me to have
six and her not have any, Auntie-"
"No," assented Auntie. "And
then?"
sThen I got 'em out, and 10,
Auntie / don't want to give away
any of them They're my own little
children. How can l give them to
somebody else! Look at Ethel now,"
picking UP the eldest of the flock and
and holding her tenderly. "she was
the nrsG une, en' she was 90 p,vSsy
once. An she's lost the end of hel
nose, an her cheeks are all washed
off, and her hairs getting thin, an
one arms loose. Nobody but me
would love her now. / can't let hei
60"
cam then there's the twins. Yor
gave me those, an they're named fol
YOU an mamma. | couldn't separate
them-they've always been together
am 'twould break their hearts
most know it would. And they're 81
.lnning, Auntie. You couldn't Civ
the twins away, could you, nowf" en-
treatingly.
aAnd here's Josephine. She's sue
an invalid, it wouldn't ever be rigb
to send her away-she's lost her leg
you know, where Beppo chewed it u
Especially to a little girl that
broke hers. And Hitty couldn
take care of her as l can. She need
; lots of care, poor thing take he
out every day; and I can't let her g
3 "And Ned-he's my oaly boy
looking at him lovingly. 81 couldn
spare Ned"
/ "Well, how about Seraphinal" sal
j. Aunt Sophie, quietly.
IL Seraphina was the latest arriv
10 among the dolls, a very charmir
vt young creature indeed, golden-hair'
t, and brown.eyed, with cheeks like
y blush rose. She was exquisite
d dressed, from the dainty bonnet
D. the pretty bronze boots, with wo
derful wardrobe in reserve. Au
lg Sophie knew she was the pride
ut Mariorie's heart, and wondered VII
o, the child would say.
lit "Seraphina," repeated Ma5or
lit slowly. "Well, perhaps Seraphi
he ought to be the one to go. Sh
no we'll and strong, and she's SO pretty
he know 'twould most stop Hitty's
from. aching just to look at her. A
a she hasn't lived here SO long; so, p
=, haps, she wouldn't miss me SO mucl
but | should miss her." poor NJ
iorie broke off suddenly. " A.
Sophie, / love her dearly! Ait
girls can't give away their own dol
any more'n mothers their own III
~ children" And here Marjorie re
''@ began to cry little,
,on Aunt Sophie didn't say anyth
or She only held the little girl close,
cen stroked ths # hair gently,
ugh presently then aid said in penit
0 to little voice: "But l want Hit.
al. aus have one, Auntie-I truly do.
noe you think it would be selfish if
can all my six, and take my little
the dollar that Uncle Jack gave me,
the buy her new dolly for her own
te. H. sn;d fo buy anythino waI