The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-12

an aristocratic young lady like her could not live happily on his small income. and he planned with her for their elopement on the following day.
 Now, so long as the captain-by name Jackson Washington-lived in the nursery of little Miss Mary (his mistress) he didn't know what 1t was to want for anything. And it was the same with Gertrude May. Just so long as she lived In the cosy quarters of little Miss Agnes her life would be sweet and peaceful. But she had given way to the wooing of the cap tain and agreed to elope with him. Their plan was all uniformed, except that they would run away from the nursery and become husband and wife. Neither the captain nor Gertrude thought of where they should go after the ceremony that bound them together for life
 As Agnes had invited her little friend Mary to stop over night with her (she was to have party that evening" it gave Captain Jackson Washington and Gertrude May the very opportunity they wanted. As soon as the two girls had left the nursery in response to Gertrudes mammals call the captain hurried to the side of his promised bride and whispered: Wed better run away tonight, my dear, while those who own us are out of the way. Can you brave the hardships of the world for meY
 ''I shall never complain of anything so long as you and I are together" vowed the thoughtless young bride to- be- And l can be ready to go in half an hour"
 Then, excusing herself from Capt. Jack son Washington, Gertrude went to get her hat and cloak, for the April evenings were very chill and she would catch cold without being wrapped. After prepar- ing herself for the Journey she made the rounds of her friends in the nursery to say good-by. First, she paid her respects to the animals of Noah's ark. She loved them all, individually and collectively Many an hour she had been entertained by them, watching them file into the ark at night to sleep and being wakened in the morning by them coming forth again. And while the other dolls in the nursery were afraid of the big bear, the old lion and the huge elephant, Ger trude May knew each to be friendly and harmless if treated humanely. So, after telling them all-from the little rabbit up to the tall giraffe-that she was leay ing them forever, she saluted seach in turn and shed few regretful tears as she said good-by amidst their lamenta- tions, tor she was much respected and liked by the entire Noah's Ark aggrega- tion, and they mourned her loss
 After departing from the Noah's Ark corner Gertrude went to her old and loyal friends. the Japanese doll-a real little Celestial beauty-and the Holland doll, the latter most affectionate and sensible little wooden shod damsel These she took into her confidence, whispering \ the reason of her leavetaking. At first It almost broke the hearts of the Japa- nese doll, by name Foulon, and the Hol- land doll, by name Wllhelmina. But as they, like all young ladies, admired uni form, they could quite understand why their fnvorite, Gertrude May. had de- cided to take leave of them for a mus tache, buttons and sword So, with tears flowing, they blessed Gertrude, wished her all the happiness in the world. and said farewell.
 And then, hands clasped lovingly, the soldier-doll, looking so brave and de- liant, and the aristocratlc lady doll, look ing sweet, and sad, but withal very happy. went softly from the nursery, creeping out of the house through an open window In the parlor.
 Once outside, the soldier seemed a bit at loss as to what they should do. He had never been out in the big world on his own resources before, and he now realized at the very outset what he had