Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-12-05

cramping irons and to smile at her
parents when she met their troubled
eyes. At first she broke the thing
continually, for she was an active
child, much given to jumping ff chairs
and playing at circus on the big old
sofa. But by and by all her desire to
jump and run left her. She grew high
shouldered and would sit very still fof
hours, while her Daddy told her
stories, or drove her behind Roland in
little basket carriage he had bought
for her. Truly the iron had entered
into her soul, the cruel iron that
cramped the child's soft body; and
Gabrielle's eyes grew larger and larger,
and her chin more pointed, while the
once plump little hands were white as
the petals of the pear blossom outside
the nursery window.
81 wish people wouldn't ask me
about it; they are kind, but I wish
they wouldn't" Gabrielle would say.
I'm tired of telling them about the
socket, and I'm not "a poor little soul'
Pm Daddy's little lady"
There came to Jack Ainslie q very
old college friend, doctor, Gabrielle's
godfather, and devoted to her, and he
was supremely dissatisfied with her
treatment and implored them to take
her to see young surgeon, friend
OF his own, who was making a great
name and doing wonders for everyone
who came under his care. Jack Aims
lie and his wife needed but small per-
suasion, and it was decided that Ga
brielle should go to London as soon
as possible.
What fastened the visit was this:
Gabrielle was devoted to fairy lore
and favorite play of hers was to be a
beautiful princess who is freed from
giants and dragons and lions by the
gallant "Boots" of the Morse tales.
Her father always acted the part of
that redoubtable third son and was
wont to kneel before her, making ex-
travagant protestations of his devo-
tion, which she accepted with gracious
condescension. On this particular af-
ternoon, just after tea, her father pro-
posed to play the favorite game, but
Gabrielle would have none of it.
Il can't be q princess any more,
Daddy; I'm sure no princess ever
wore an instrumentw she said. 81
don't feel like princess any more at
ALL"
Het father caught her up in his
arms with great hard sob, which
frightened her, and she stroked his
face, saying tenderly:
Don't be sorry, dear, dear Dad! I
didn't mean to hurt you. I'll be
princess; will indeedl I will feel
like princess, really!"
The next day Jack Ainslie and his
wife took Gabrielleup to town. They
did not even take the faithful Mana.
for Gabrielle's mother could hardly
bear to let any hands but hers touch
her darling, ever since the day that
the ringmaster had made his sad dis
covery.
Mary Ainslie took Gabrielle to the
new doctor the following morning,
while Jack sat in the smoking room Of
the hotel, lighting innumerable cigars
which he did not smoke, and turning
Lover illustrated papers which he did
not see. Then he turned out of the
hotel and walked down Piccadilly,
laundering into the passers-by, and
when he crossed the road was nearly
ridden over by an omnibus, so blind
and stupid was he in his heavy sor-
row. Poor Jack! His honest heart
was very full of grief, for he loved his
little lady dearly, and he felt that un-
less something were done quickly he
would soon have nothing but tender
memory to love.
Gabrielle and her mother were
shown into the new doctors consult
ing-room at once. He was tall young
man with red hair and keen green
eyes. Her mother undressed Cab
rielle, all but the instrument" which
clasped the tender little body and
seemed so cruelty unnecessary. The
young doctor frowned when he saw
it; then he took it off himself, and
Gabrielle noticed that his touch was as
gentle as her mothers and that his
hands were warm. She gave happy
little shake when she was free of it
a little wriggle and jump of relief.
Then the doctor made her walk, and
felt her all over, after which he rolled
her up in big fur rug, to sit in front
of the fire, while he went into the next
room with her mother. They were
not long away, and on their return
Gabrielle looked at the doctor with
bright, curious eyes.
"Does the instrument hurt you?"
he asked.
Gabrielle looked at it as it leaned
feebly against chair, and said
''It does, rather; but it does its best
not to. 1 think"
well, any way, you're not going to
wear it any more; are you glad?"
"But what will the socket do?"
'.Bless the child. tbAy've talked