Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-11-11

BILE for him to leave the service for
quite while, and would like things
to go on as they had been the past
three years. His reply was purely a
business one and thus for nearly q
year all communications had come
through lawyers. But now, that he
was at home once more, his thoughts
naturally turned to the little orphan
IN South Kensington Square.
"Jove, | must see her Immediately, ,"
he said to himself as he ordered his
lunch, and all the while he was eating
his chop he laid plans for his afternoon
with his little charge. "Ill take her
to the Aquarium and the Crystal Pal
ace" he said, with little chuckle,
'and, by George, I'll take her doll!''
He was up and off in minute and into
cab before the cabby was well
awake. ''Take me to the best toy
shop in town." he shouted, jubilantly,
to the astonished driver, "and be as
quick as you can"
So off they ratified, and before many
minutes had passed strapping big
fellow, blond, his face splendidly
tanned, was wandering around look
ing at the mysteries of modern toy
shop.
81 want a doll, he said to little
woman who addressed him, quite un-
conscious in his new enthusiasm, of
her lily concealed smile, "a very big
doll-in pink L think, I prefer it.
When he was at last satisfied, he bore
his bundle to the cab and placed her
proudly beside him on the seat.
"And now to South Kensington
Square" he called to the driver. When
prim little maid answered his ring at
the bell of the imposing, but cheerless
house, she was surprised into u spas
modic and hysterical little giggle, for
there stood a young man, "and such
nice young man," she afterwards told
the housekeeper, holding in his arms
gorgeously bedecked doll almost his
own size. She came very near shut
ting the door in his face, according to
her own confession, but he asked so
sweetly for Mrs. Mclean and Miss
Copleigh and presented two such we'll
appointed cards, that she thought bet
ter of il, and showed him, doll and all,
into the dull and ghostly state drawing
room. The sight of the room nearly
sutficed to cool his ardor, still when
the maid had gone, he looked about
him for the best vantage ground in
which to place his beauty. At length
the big shiny green satin sofa was de-
cided upon and there he sat her down,
her skirt spread to its full dimensions,
her arms outstretched as if in greeting
to her new mistress
He was standing in front of her in
rapt admiration, his hands behind him.
''That'll fetch her." he said aloud, and
then startled by rustic behind him,
he turned quickly. A tall, slight girl
stood in the doorway. She was gowned
i'll black, and her exquisite clearness
of skin and soft golden hair were shown
with marvellous effectiveness. They
stood looking ut one another, their
eyes almost on level, for some long
seconds.
"Good morning." she said at last,
and her voice was as soft and sweet as
her eyes. II suppose you are Mr..
Tarrion?" and she came forward with
both hands outstretched.
Poor Teddy was more out of counte-
nance than before.
Are you Mrs McLain?" he man
aged to stammer, blushing through
his coat of tan like a school girl.
Peal after peal of the gayest kind
Of laughter echoed through the room.
"Oh! oh! ohp' the girl gasped at last,
''don't you know who L amp" and
then, catching sight OF the big, pink
gowned doll on the sofa, she went off
in more gales of laughter, so delicious,
so irresistible, that Teddy, never 10th,
joined her, and they didn't stop until
their breath failed them.
SIT was awfully good of you to
bring it," SAID Ethel Copleigh, "and
really, L must confess at eighteen, [
love them almost as much as at eight.
But, tell me, didn't father ever tell
you anything about me?"
Not word, answered Ted, Gun
til the night before he died, and even
then he only spoke of you as his lit
tie girl, and L thought you were six
or eight thereabouts.
"And so you brought me a doll?"
smiled the girl.
"And [ was going to take you to
the Crystal Palace" he said sadly,
and then he added quickly: "But will
you come for a drive, instead?"
Mrs. McLain is awfully conven-
tional," she said, "and she won't be
home until just IN time for tea, and
L wouldn't dare go without asking
her"
So, notwithstanding his assertion
that he, and he alone, was the one tc
be referred to, they remained at No
90 South Kensington Square, and by
the time Mrs. McLain arrived were
chatting as gayly, as intimately, as il
they had known each other lifetime
After the schoolmistress' first shocl
and surprise at his youth were over
al went smoothly. for Teddys easy