Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-23
TOPsY ON THE TOP FLOOR
By CLARA J. DENTON.
Copyright. 1901. by George w. Jacobs Co.,
CHAPTER XIV.
Lost!

as bird, for she had heard good news al
the sanitarium Miss Julia was improving.
He looked the lame wrist over very care
fully, put on new bandages and frightened
up the splints.
Now he said, you have been SO very
quiet these few days that everything is
coming along nicely, and think We will let
you go out whenever you want to. You
have been very good and patient child.
which helps along broken bones as well as
many other things. You may let her come
and go as much as she likes. Mrs. Howells:
but, remember, little girl no running, or. in
fact any sort of active playing for some
time to come. and. especially. keep away
from that topsy-t urvy little creature that
caused this accident"
20, yes said Nettie, with sigh, Il sup
pose it will be long time yet before 1
shall dare to have her come near me; she
jumps around so.'
But the days will soon slip away" said
the doctor. cheerfully.
And the good doctor was right. Now that
Nettie was longer shut indoors, hut
could visit her little friends or stay with
her mamma at the library. the time went
by rapidly. Daisy took Topsy into the gar
den every day or two, and. whenever the
two little girls met, Daisy had great tales
to tell of her adventures at Mrs Mullards.
She could not, like Nettie. slip in and out
of the house unnoticed but generally man.
aged. much to her delight to arouse the
anger of either bellboy or maid
But Daisy" said Nettie one day, after
listening to very lively account of some
sharp talk with the teasing pellboy, Toe,
aren't you afraid you'll make trouble for
Topsy?'
why how can II" asked Daisy. with a
laugh. DO you think she's smart enough
to understand what l say? Besides, she
doesn't like Joe any better than do
But l remember, you told me once that
Mrs. Mullard doesn't like your mamma
yynr ,,tpl. 30, l-1.l
excuse to tell Miss Verro you couldn't play
In her garden any more, and then what
would poor Topsy do for an airing?"
Daisy looked grave. II never thought OF
that" she said, but 1t would be just like
Joe to tell Mrs. Mullard He doesn't like
Topsy, calls her little whiffet.' and says
he wishes She d run away from me SO that
I'd catch it. from Miss Verro.
He's bad boy said Nettie, indig-
nantly.
"Of course, he is, and when he says to
me, hello, there, Reddy,' I can't help say.
ing something saucy to him. But 1 don't
want poor little Topsys fun spoiled; I've
just got to let him alone until you can take
Topsy out again; then he'd just better look
out"
The next Saturday Daisy came dancing
into Nettie's home with even more OF a
rush than usual
20, Nettie," she said, the best news you
ever heard. I've Just come from Miss Yer
ro's, and Miss Julia is so much better. She
is able to sit up. and we are going to see
her right now, you and t.
Why" exclaimed Nettie, how do you
know"
I've been to the library to ask your
mamma, and now, come on, get your hat
But do you know the way? l never
could find 1t, although we drove there the
other day.
Yes, indeed know that street just as
well as anybody. Our dressmaker lives
near there, and I've been to her house huns
on l< hny
fine 1t will be to see dear Miss Julia out of
bed"
They found their friend dressed in beau
tiful scarlet wrapper and sitting in large
chair She looked so bright and girlish,
that 1t seemed almost impossible that 1t
could be their own Miss Julia. She was. of
course, delighted to see her two little visit
ors and asked no end Of questions about
TopSy and the fun she and Daisy had to-
gether.
isn't it too bad Nettie can't see herr
said Daisy.
1T is, indeed answered Miss Julia;
'Nettie and l can sympathize with each
other"
But in about two weeks the doctor says
l may have my arm out of the sling; then
may play with Topsy again. said Nettie.
And are you going to school again.
asked Miss Julia.
20, no." was the answer, "vaca ton is so
near that mamma says it isn't worth
while"
.
arm is well. Well bring Topsy over here to
see you; both of us could take care of her,
I guess" said Daisy.
But 1 hope my dear" said Miss Julia,
with smile, that shall be able to return
to the boarding house in two weeks"
And will you be all well, then?' asked
Nettie.
No: but will be nearly so. and can
take the rest of my treatment as we'll there
as here, and know poor, dear Ann is very
lonesome without me-
$50 she Isl said Daisy "she told me this
morning 1t seemed like a year since you
went away"
you ought to have her come here and be
cured, too" suggested Nettie.
That's what l want her to do" said
Miss Julia, but DIR. Young cannot have
Topsy here; so I've been hoping I'd get well
enough to take care of Topsy and then Ann
can come here for a month or so. Just
think. how glad we'd be If we could go back
to our friends well and strong, again"
II tell you" said Nettie when my wrist
is all right again, I'll take care of Topsy."
I'm afraid it would be too much of a
task for you, dear child"
Nettie declared however, that she'd like
nothing better, and Miss Julia finally
agreed that she'd think about it," and told
Nettie to talk 1t over with her mamma
20, l am sure she'll be willing" replied
Nettie.
She was so full of delight at the simple
thought of having Topsy with her for sew
eral weeks that she could talk of nothing
else as she and Daisy walked home to-
gether. Many and gay were the times
they planned.
II am sure" said Nettie, that we can
take Topsy on the streets If we fasten her
ribbon on and keep together"
"Of course" said Daisy, for if any one
touches her. one of US can run for a police
man."
Yes and We'll stay on the liveliest
streets"
And I'm sure mamma will take us rid
ing again, and let Topsy go with us.
Wouldn't it be fun to see her when the
horses are just going like everything?"
She'll wonder where she is, 1 guess"
said Nettie, with laugh.
Thus the planning went on until they
came to Mrs. Mullards house. Here the
girls parted, for Daisy had message to
deliver to Miss Verro, and Nettie could not
wait for her friend, as it was very near her
own dinner hour.
Half an hour later. as Mrs. Howells and
Nettie were rising from the table they
heard quick feet bounding up the stairs
THAT is Daisy, know" said Nettie, ard
she flew to open the door.
But 1t was different looking Daisy from
the one that had said goodbye to Nettie on
Mrs. MullardS steps. Her face was long
and her eyes were red, while the tears were
streaming down her cheeks. She threw
herself into a chair and covered her face
with her handkerchief. -
my childv' exclaimed Mrs. Howells, do
hat &c fha ffa,.SB