The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-28

of them. The world is always ready and
willing to pick up An abandoned child. but
It turns away pitiIessly from those who are
old enough to take care of themselves. Why
should / wait to be arrested as common
felon? Why should / lay this terrible sor-
row on my DOOR little jules heart? It
would be madness to ask for forgiveness at
the hands Of the purchaser Of the doll.
They would simply turn me over to the
authorities. True, death will rob me of my
children and them of me. But what use am
to them? I've often read that drowning
is an easy death, and possibly there will be
somebody in this great city. after it has fin
ished the feasting and pleasures of the New
Year, who will be touched by my death and
go to the rescue of my poor babies. Ny poor
babies oh, my poor babiesP'
CHAPTER III.
"Well, this is just too badw exclaimed
little Paula de Courcy, as she turned away
from the window where she had been press
ing her pretty face against the pane for
nearly an hour. Just see mamma. what
a beautiful New Years day it is and no
Uncle Felix, no unbreakable doll. no moth
insp' and the tears gathered in the child's
eyes as she buried her face in her mothers
lap: 49,,
know Uncle Felix seldom gets here before
that
"Yes, that's so, dear mamma" came from
Jane; "but / do think he might have come
little earlier on New Years day, ana such
a beautiful day."
$50 do !" cried Martha, looking up from
her book. and then with pretty pout on
her sweet lips, she added: II should call
that an invisible and not an unbreakable
doll, shouldn't you mammal"
Indeed | shOuld!' replied Nine. de
Courcy. laughing heartily.
WhaG does invisible mean. mamma pr
asked little Paula, looking up with startled
expression in her big blue eyes. sit doesn't
mean that the doll won't come at all. does it,
dear mamma?"
"Yes, it does, Paula" cried Jane, with a
very serious look; lit means that Uncle
Felix has either forgotten all about us, or
else that he has taken the unbeatable doll
to some other little girls whom he loves
better than he does Us"
|. don't believe he loves any other little
girls better than he does US, replied Paula,
with almost sob; for mamma says that
we are the best children in the world"
On, dear, oh, dear" whimpered Jane;
81 do wish we hadn't asked for the I'M
I'm afraid l wont like it if it should come"
These words had scarcely dropped from
the chlld's lips when vigorous tug at the
door-bell set it daacing merrily.
A shout of joy went Up from the three
little ones.
That's Uncle Felixr' they cried, she
always rings that way" and away they
went with mad rush.
The good man was almost overturned by
the charge made upon him. He made an
effort to distribute the customary kisses, but
to his surprise Jane and Paula fitted be-
hind him, as if they expected to find the I'M
breakabe doll dangling by leg. or possibly
rolled up in a wal and thrust into his coat
tail pocket.
"Why. Uncle Felix, where is she? What's
Hau fold hnr
aud hidden her away in your coat-poeket?
Please pull her out, wont you? Did you
drop her on the way here. or old you forget
US entirelyy' were some of the questions
which the three children rained upon their
uncle In such tumultuous manner thai the
good man could only hold up his hands aud
cry:
"Mercy, mercy. do give your poor old I'M
Gle chance for his life." When quiet was
| restored he added: And now, first of all
breakabIe doll. Are you satisfied? Is she
big enough?
why, don't you understand, dear uncle, I"
cried Martha, she hasn't come The un-
breakable doll-baby hasn't arrived"
Hasn't come. Hasn't arrived" repeated
Uncle Felix, with a puzzled air.
NO; and what's more" exclaimed Paula,
Indignantly. Il don't believe she's coming at
all don't believe that there's any such
thing as an unbreakable doll-baby as big as
l am"
"Why, darlings," stammered Uncle Felix
Il picked out The largest and finest in the
whole Establishments perfect beauty, with
real hair, movable eyes and buttoned shoes"
"Buttoned shDes?" cried Paula, capping
her hands with delight. 'But where is she,
dearest Uncle Felix. where is she?'
And they promised" continued the I'M
Gle, that she should reach you yesterday
afternoon, securely packed IN box big
enough to put Paula in"
Securely packed?" repeated Martha
why, uncle, thought she was unbreaka-
BILE"
$50 she is, so she is" replied Uncle Felix
Absolutely unbreakable. when handled
with care. But listen, darllngs, the delivery
departments OF the large establishment will
| not close until noon. FIJI go at once. and.
even II have to call upon the police to help
me, I'll bring that unbeatable doll-baby
back with me. dead or alive. But first a kiss
all around, please, little ladies'. In your ex-
citement about the unbreakable doll-baby
you quite forgot that this is New Years
day."
Uncle Falix was soon out OF sight, and the
three children returned to their books and
playthings with faces wreathed in smiles
and voices full of tones of sladness.
But some way or other little Paula couldn't
| settle down to stateof contentment. Evel
| the new toys seemed to have no charm for
her. Now that the unbreakabie doll baby
| was soon to make her appearance, Paula
passed most OF her time running from one
| window to another in hopes OF being the first
| to catch glimpse of the wonderfulidoll-
| baby.
Household duties now demanded Mime.
| de Courcy's presence, and the three children
were left quite to themselves.
Again there was a ring at the door bell.
| but SO feeble had been the pull that the SOUND