Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-02
/. Daisy told the story e

But" said Miss Julia when they had ex-
pressed their grief for Nettie's misfortune,
Il can't see why Mrs. Howells let the child
carry Topsy out of her sight. That is the
reason We don't like to have Topsy taken
on the street; she attracts so much atten-
ton that we are always fearful of having
her stolen. I am surprised that Mrs How
ellis should have been imprudent."
Yes said Miss Verro, but / wish poor
little Nettie had not been quite 50 brave:
If she had let the boy have Topsy we could
have found her again, no doubt. and
would rather have given s25 for her recov.
cry than had Nettie suffer so.'
That Is all very true, said Miss Nerro.
and the more think of it, the more
wonder that Mrs. Howells left Nettie alone
with Topsy. so
Daisy looked puzzled. 1t seemed too bad
to have Mrs. Howells blamed for something
she mad not done, and yet she feared they
would blame her just as much il they knew
the whole truth.
Miss Verro saw that Daisy was troubled
about something, so she determined to get
at the root of the matter
Il can see by your face child" she said.
shiy' that you have not told us every
tning. BY the way. what is your manner
we had forgotten that in our eagerness to
| hear your story"
Ny name is Daisy Wood" was the quick
20, yes" said Miss verro, I'VE might
nave known that; you look so much like
your mamma We seem to know you very
well, for Nettie speaks of you so often"
Yes" said Daisy, hoping to lead the talk
away from the accident, land 1t was our
bad nurse that locked her and Topsy in the
nursery"
Miss Julia was quite willing to let their
visitor talk on other subjects but Miss
pet subject
No matter about that now Julia" she
said: Il want to hear more about this other
afrair Surely Nettie didn't run away from
her mamma and you"
90, 20. no, no." replied Daisy. quickly:
@ "a cv,'f
single bit"
Then. why was she separated from her
mammal" persisted Miss Verro
naisys face flushed, and she looked down.
better make clean breast of 1t right
mere ana now, continued Miss Verro stIll
more kindly, IF 1t was your fault in any
way. OF course. Wen know of it sooner or
later, and it would be better if We hear it
hrst from your own lips
~, put IT wasn't my fault at all. That
Ism the reason 1 don't want to tell fall
tered Daisy; but. indeed Miss Verro, IL
you don't mind, I-I-would rather have
Mrs Howells tell you about that part of Il,
! made one mistake today, and. indeed, 1
cont want to make any more. Mrs. How
ellis Will tell you all about ii. / know"
That's all right" said Miss Julia gently.
now don't question her any more, Ann; We
Know the main facts and we can afford to
wait for the rest until We see Mrs How.
els
But" said Daisy much relieved to find
she was not to be questioned any more
about the unhappy event; I'll tell you what
did. went off with some big girls to get
some daisies and buttercups for Nettie be-
cause she said she'd never seen any real
ones, you know"
20, that poor child exclaimed Miss Julia,
Just think of 1t! 1 hope you found some'
Ies, ma am, said Daisy, looking little
ashamed, but the girls said it was only a
little ways; but it wasn't, and / was gone
such long, long time that Mrs HoweIls
was dreadfully frightened about me. That
was my mistake that told you about: but.
OF course, little folks mistakes are worse
than the ones grown,ups make"
Are they?" asked Miss Verro smiling
Il always thought 1t was the other way''
She was convinced by this remark Of
Dalsys that it was through a mistake on
Mrs Howells part that Nettie and Topsy
We're separated from the others and She
began to understand why Daisy was so I'M
willing to talk about that part of the story.
So o., to change the subject. she asked:
'Whe will you see Nettie again."
Il am going there right after school to-
morrow-if mamma will let me, and now,
think must go home,' she added rising.
Wen, II you must co. said Miss verro.
give our regards to your mamma, and
don't forget we are very grateful to you
for bringing Topsy home. 1 hope you VIII
come and see US again; and now, that
Topsy's acquainted with you you can have
some nice times together"
20, thank you," answered Daisy, II sure
ly will come again."
She went on down the stairs slowly. She
Portable thoughts. The ladies had been so
kind to her and had not seemed to blame
her for going after the flowers But. some
way her saying to Miss Verro so decidedly
that the accident was not at all her fault
had reused conscience, and set her to Won
dering, it, after all, she was not to blame
for all the trouble.
Il am sure that didn't have a single thing
to do with NettieS being hurt" she said to
herself, consolingy. IF we'd been walking
about anywhere Topsy would have broken
away If she could, and Nettie might have
met the boy in some other path instead OF
that one, or she might have met some other
bad boy; he isn't the only one in the world,
l guess. o, dear, how l wish l knew what
to think; believe I'll go back and tell Miss
Verro all about it, and see if she thinks 1
told story when 1 said ii wasn't bit nv
fault. But, then. how could do that. with
out telling that Mrs Howells let go of the
ribbon?''
1t was a hard riddle for the poor child to
solve, and no wonder, for many older and
wiser heads have puzzled over much the
same questions. By the time she had
reached the first landing she was so worried
and anxious that she seated herself on the
lower step and leaned her chin on her hand
She was very forlorn little object and Just
how long she would have sat thus no one
can tell, for, in the midst of her reverie she
heard womans scream and dogs yelp
She jumped up quickly and the next mo-
ment Topsy came down the stairs like a
flash and bounded straight into her arms.
Go be continued)