Middletown transcript., 1908-05-09

thoroughly and heartily ashamed
Of have done it; and yet ] would
do it over again. 1t was en-
tirely Dorothy's fault for being
so stupid but what can you ex-
pect from a girl whose nickname
is Doll or Dolly? She has never
been called by her real name,
but always Doll, and as a name
it certainly suits her, for, with
her fair hair and large blue eyes
and soft and pinky dimpled skin
she is just like doll from a
very nice shop-and nearly as
helpless. It was while | was
staying down at Darlington that
I discovered how deeply and
completely Bob Eversleigh had
fallen in love with Doll.
My dear child, I said, as we
sat chatting together over the
fire, I can't think why you are
horrid to Bob, when you know
you intend to marry him.
Doll, who is a little dear, but
very spoilt, pouted and gave the
fire vicious dig, and then gave
me a sidelong look.
But I don't know, she said,
with much assumed ambition and
PRIDE, perhaps | shall make a
much more brilliant match.
Perhaps, I said but doubt
it, as you are so much in love
with Mr.. Eversleigh.
L? said Doll, opening her blue
eyes very Wide. Why, whatever
put such an idea in your head?
Nothing, I responded, airily
only when people blush when
other peoples names are men,
toned, it's no use pretending
they are not in love, and l
glanced al the soft and pinky
face.
My dear Nell, said Dolly, with
a smile, your room is really very
hot; l think I'll go upstairs and
dress.
Something has happened since
yesterday, although I hardly
know what it really is. [ only
know that Bob Eversleigh left
. hurry this morning and
has been suspiciously
gneerful all day long but l have
not seen her now for nearly an
hour, so I think I will go up
stairs and, metaphorically speak
ing, take her evening tempera-
ture.
I found Dolly lying on the sofa
in her room, her face in pillow
that was very damp, and a small,
wet handkerchief by her side.
Hello, Dolly! What's the
have you got the toothache, dear?
;, A stifed voice came out of the
pNlow. Don't be silly, Nell?
We'll, I said, apologetically.
yorS see, both words end in
cache"
She sat up, looking like much
dishgveled and well-worn doll.
Ohs sNell, she cried, he-he's gone
away forever! And she burst
into floods of despairing tears.
New York is only sixteen miles
away, I said tentatively. It's not
far to motor, and have biked
as far, so he might even walk
it if he were in good condition ;
and then the train there is al
ways the traini!
Don't be horrid and-and make
fun of me sobbed poor little
Doll. refused him last night.
Why 4? I asked, in genuine as
tonishment. You refused him
but why, my dear girl?
I don't know! cried Dolly. /
I think I meant him to ask me
again. I said I didn't want to
get engaged, and of course I
thought he'd beg me to recon
slider it, and make lovely scene
and she hung her head little
and then, of course, | meant to
come round in the end.
] burst out laughing; could
not help it. My dear Doll, said,
men don't make scenes in these
days-excepting in books. OF
course, if you said you didn't
want him and told him to go
away
Yes-but he ought to have
known that / did not mean it
sobbed little Doll l don't like
girls who jump at an offer, and
I didn't want to be too eager I;
but wish hadn't refused him
now, and-oh, Nell, am SO very
miserable!
Why don't you write and ask
him back
What! she echoed Indignantly.
L -