The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-12-11

did not seem at all impressed, and when his wife remarked, how nice It was that all the dolls had happened to arrive at one time. he actually laughed.
 What are you laughing at? Don't you think it was a striking colnci- dence?"
 T certainly do" and there was deep contrition in his voice.
 He was also deeply interested. when few highs later, Mrs. Harper told him that Mrs. John Brown. who had written Louis James, had actually re- ceived a second doll from the actor The first one had arrived about the same time as the others. It was lit tie flaxen haired affair in white nous seline and blue ribbons while the later arrival was dressed to represent Ham let" and had dark hair With Ham let" came no note but only the en- graved card of MT. James. Jack was , so deeply interested that he had to tell Guy Wilson about 1t and he in- cured the wrath of that gentleman's better half by calling him from the breakfast table and there cutting short their morning farewell.
 Jack expressed even greater sur prise a few days later, when he was informed that Mrs. Brown, had re- ceived a letter from MT. James, and in 1t he had told her how he hap pened to find this Hamlet" doll in a shop, and thinking it would please his Riverburg friends. he had sent 1t in addition to his former gift.
 The ladies grew enthusiastic and Mrs. Brown already began to plan for theatre party for Mir. James, when he came through the next season.
 The auction of the players dolls was to be the crowning feature of the ba- zaar. There was a big crowd. Mrs. Harper, who presided over the doll booth, had on a new gown that fit perfectly and there was a flush of happiness in her cheeks. wave of trouble stole over her. however, when the auction began. The theatri- cal dolls did not sell well. The town humorist was the auctioneer and the crowd laughed at his jokes but would not buy. The apathy among the men was very disgusting to the members of the Ladies' Aid Lillian Russell was knocked down to Mrs. Harper for v and somehow she was not as proud Of her purchase as she expected to be. Nobody else seemed to want Miss Rus sells doll. Mrs. Wilson wept when her precious Maude Adams brought
 only a little more. she finally having
 to bid 1t in to save sacrihce.
 The only break in the monotony came when Mrs. Lichtenstein. wife of Riverburg's largest toy dealer. took 9 fancy to cute little Della Fox. The young woman who had secured the doll for the bazaar was a decided belle and one of her Out-of- town beaux had come along on this night of nights. He was determined to buy the doll for his hearts desire. Mrs Lchtenstein had set her heart on Della Fox. The bid ding was lively and when the hgure climbed above $1O MT. Lichtenstein re- monstrated with his wife. In his store the doll probably would have sold for $1. And his wife was bidding SIP for 1t! The visiting young man sent the bidding skyward and at his call of $2O Mrs. Iichtenstein acknowledged de- feat under the stern glances of her husband. She retired from the contest with ruffied feelings but she had saved the doll feature from being fiat fail ure and had earned the esteem of its promoters.
 "What was the matter with those men at the bazaar last night?' Mrs. Iaroer asked across the breakfast ta- bIe inc next morning. Mir. Harper did mt venture A reply. They spent their money free enough everywhere else hut af in doll booth" she went oil. "hut thev wouldn't bid on those dolls. Why Jennie Brown was crazy for my Lillian Russell but her father wouldn' t pay q cent over $2.
 Jack Harper made no attempt to solve the problem vexing the mind of his wife and went out of the house whistlIng softly to himself.