The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-11-18

sister safe outside snifies followed just at the very minute when the butler turned to close the door. But the old fellows head being elevated in a most dignined fashion, he did not see the pair of small folk who made their exit from his care fully guarded portal
 Once In the street the way was easy for the twins. They ran across to the park that was now almost empty of people, for the fall winds were blowing about very cold. But dolls do not mind the cold un- less they are wax; then the low tempera- ture cracks them and spoils their smooth skin.
 'I suggest we stop here for a few mo- ments," said Sniffies, jumping upon a rustic bench. This is the path where all the children come when the wind blows, for the hill wonder and the hedge behind protect this particular spot.''
 Hardly had Toodles taken her seat be- side her brother, the Admiral" when down the path came trooping two little girls and little dog at their heels. "Ah," cried one, pointing at sniffies and Toodles, "someone has left two dollsi Mercy, aren't they l-o-v-e-l-yi''
 "oh, aren't they. just7' answered the second little girl. and even the dog stopped and sniffed at the toes of the twins and wagged his tail in commenda- ton of them. We mustn't take them, though" added the last speaker, flor whoever forgot them will return shortly"
 ''Yes, but we'd better remain here and keep watch over them or some evil per son will carry them off," said the other So they sat down beside the twins and waited till almost dark. As no one came to claim the dolls, and 1t was so late that the children must go home, they de- cided to carry them home and return to the park the following day, carrying tho dolls up and down the paths hunting for their owner So Toodles and Smiles soon found themselves the center of an ad- mirng family. There was the mother and father and big brother to express their pleasure with the dolls. Never had the twins been so happy as In this new home. Here they occupied chairs at the table beside the little ladies who had found them. And at night they were put to bed on a big chair-well covered, too, from the cod-in the room In which the girls slept.
 The next day the little girls prome- naded the park paths for several hours, going in the morning and again In the afternoon with the dolls in pretty cab, which they had borrowed from friend for the purpose. And every child they met they would ask: Did you lose doll or dolls in the park yesterday7' To which they always met with n negative answer.
 And so they went again and again to the park, day after day, hunting for the owner of Smiles and Toodes to no avail. After a week had gone by the children 8 parents told them that they might make up their minds that the dolls had been left by some out town child, and that they would never be claimed. So the little girls danced and clapped their hands with glee, for now Sniffles and Toodles belonged to them. And In the privacy of their bed that night Toodles whispered to Snifiies: I'm happy now; aren't you, Admiral7" To which the Admiral re- piled:
 This ship just suits me. There's some thing doing. I always hated too much riches and aristocracy, anyway. There's no sociability about them"
 Then they folded their hands and went to sleep, as happy as could be.