Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-21
7TFDDY'S THANKS GIVING.

Aubrey after n uause. but couldn't we
leave him Louisa? He does love her So.
Teddy shook his head. Louisa, said
he. 'is the worst OF the lot; the other
d-dolls aren't much consequence, Dut she
awful. No; Louisa must ego, ana then'
p'raps he'll stop being such little ninny.
It's a dreadful punishment, but It'll De
for his g-good in the end"
"Oh! dear me-" sighed Caroline, shou'a
have thought the sermon this mornirs
would have softened your heart, Tedoy.
II will be anything but a ThanksglVins
for the child. Who is going TO tell MN
Then Teddy rose to the occasion.
"Why. YOU are?" said he, That's a
girIs place. of course. It's always wo-
man that breaks D-bad news and COM
forts the s-sorrowful.'
4 can't, Teddy; he'll cry so,' said she
in dismay.
Nonsense. II he cries just bring MIN
here to us Run olong and tell MIN at
once, then you can let us know what nc
says. Mind you. Louisa is to go Tor goou
and all: II not he c-can't play with US ior
the rest OF the holidays. NOW, theh'
hurry up, there's a good girl
Caroline departed heavily, and the Dogs
were left alone in the sunshine. Wheh'
at the end of half an hour, their mes
|
the study of a popular puzzle
II have arranged it," announced Caro-
line eagerly. michael is quite Wiling
Please be in the top attic this after
noon at o'clock"
"All right" said Teddy, glancing up
from the paper on his knee. nd
he mean to DIDO with her, l wonder
"Ahr said Caroline, we've settled
that, too" She paused a moment, ana
sighed deeply. HE doesn't realize IT,
yet, you know" she added, in quaint
"Reminiscences of Miss Spalding.
The top attic had been, from time I'M
memorial. an abode for the dolls OF the
household. Here, when visiting with her
mistress. lodged Caroline's stately Anse-
lima: here. in corner to themselves,
dwelt those plebeiap, rag dolls, the prop
erty of the baby; and here, set ABOVE
them all by the dominance OF a powerful
personality, reigned Michaers imperious
Louisa The place was not paiace' bu''
from a dolls point Of view, IT proved ex-
ceedingly comfortable. True, the cell
ings sloped at an acute angle and, though
there was a CRATE, no one ever lighted
fire in IT, But the inhabitants or the TOP
attic seldom wanted to stand upright
and they did not feel the cold.
Nevertheless. on this afternoon IRE
| had been laid in the deserted CRATE, enc
dolls, seated in row, their backs
against the wall, noticed 1t with WONDER
| and apprehension. Before them was
| spread a light repast OF currant jelly
| Obeaten with a fork till it had turned
white and frothy) and small pearl DIS
| cults. served In q broken soup-tureen. III
was the dolls Thanksgiving dinner
portion of this Caroline, as mistress OF the
ceremonies handed to each of the guests,
| on "A tiny wooden platter.
Aubrey and Teddy received each MS
| share in puzzled silence. Obeying caro-
| lines behest, they had, as the clock struck
| s. presented themselves at the door Of
| the top attic accompanied by the nursery
| children, who clamered vocferously for
| admittance But Caroline had proved
| obdurate, resisting even Teddy's pleading
| with a sorrowful gravity that silenced all
| entreaties.
This is no place for you little ones"
| she said conclusively. You must 90
| back again to your own safe nursery
| and taking a hand of each. she had led
| them silently down the steep and crooked
stairway. and handed them over, fearful
| and awestruck, to their proper and
| natural guardian.
| Now, as each person ate his biscuit,
l and current jelly, curious sense Of
| fnality brooded over the company. Caro-
! line appeared so stern that even Teddy
, was impressed, and stifed a laugh the
! moment he felt her eyes upon him, while
| Aubrey. always quiet, fell naturally into
sympathy with his surroundings. Michael
sat apart, silent and distracted, and
| Louisa. in the midst of the dolls, occupied
| the post OF honor. Looking at her casu-
| ally 1t was difficult TO determine whence
| had sprung that ascendency which she
| undoubtedly possessed amongst them,
| for her stature was diminutive. and her
| face no longer beautiful. Many ardent
| caresses, and much travelling to and fro
| in Michaers pocket. had robbed her COM
plexion OF its pristine milk and roses;
| nor were her narrow eyes and snub nose,
| and scanty hair by any means attractive.
| Her figure was curiously stiff and un-
| graceful, and one leg had always been
considerably shorter than the other, a
| defect which, strangely enough she
| shared with the Inflated La Valliere,
| after whom, and in consequence of a
fancied resemblance, Caroline, during the
| last summer holidays, had insisted upon
| naming her.
/ over Michael Louisa retained an un-
| bounded influence; even Caroline some
| times feared lest she also might fall be-
| meath her supremacy, and Aubrey and
| Teddy alone remained secure from her
/ subtitle entertainments. 1t had been Won
derful, a glorious time Of mastery, but
/ now the end was at hand. Caroline,
as she slipped her current-jelly soup, pom
| dered upon the changes which one short
| year could thus bring forth, and, glancing
i from Aichaers tear-staned face to the
white, blurred countenance Of his on
| chantress, she felt II time to ciose the
| period OF suspense. One individuality,
and one alone, had proved more power
full than that of the Inflated Louisa; this
individuality belonged to Teddy, and
| Caroline could trace, In the dolls half
closed, malignant eyes the hatred and
adherence with which she regarded him.
Lest some evil befall him. Caroline be-
stirred herself She rose. and with a
sense of final solemnty, addressed the
Arbiter OF Fate.
"You are determined" she said. that
Michael must part from his favorite
You will not relent in consideration of
the day.?
Teddy looked up; the platter balanced
upon his lap.
"Why, no. he said easily. HE must
learn TO DIDO without dolies now She's
an ugly little thing; s-stuff her away in
drawer somewhere"
Caroline turned to the miserable
Michael.
From this decision there Is no appeal y
she announced in a hollow voice dhe
matter having become tragical. she was
thoroughly enjoying HERSELF Bid her
farewell-and hand me up the matches. -
Miehael. with strangled gulp. obeyed
and Caroline proceeded to set alight the
wood and paper piled within the CRATE
The boys stared at her I'm amazement
Through the open skylight streamed a