The Democratic advocate., 1909-10-15

pretense of working over the books,
but at last he threw down the pencil
and turned to the doll again.
ITS no use, ToodleS, he reported.
Il can't write with the kiddie around,
and ! cant write with her gone. I
guess it's about time that / kept the
books In the Office and rested nights.
guess my temper would be better,
too, Toodles. but it's too late, little
rabbit lady, it's too late"
He drew the toy toward him and
sitting with 1t between his clenched
hands, bowed his head upon his
arms. He did not move until sound
In the doorway reused him, then he
sprang to his feet with glad cry Of
welcome.
Il let myself in explained Ruth
hurriedly, Il knew that the maid was
out, and that James was probably
asleep In the kitchen, so / slipped in
through the back door that | might
not disturb you more than / had to,
/ have come for Toodles. That Is
that candy box you gave Maudie
Easter, you know"
'Toodles" cried Dedham blarkly
Il say, Ruth, you can't take Toodles
away"
Il forgot TO take Il last night" ex-
planned Ruth. Il was upset and
Maudie was asleep. In the hustle Of
moving, she forgot the toy for the mo-
ment, but she has been grieving all
day | had hoped that she would
forget and that Il would not be nee
essary to come for II, but Maudie has
always taken Toodles TO bed with hes,
and she win not go TO sleep without
H. ! am afraid that she will fret her
self sick so had to come for II"
But you can't have it, declared
Dedham II need Toodlea worse than
MaRdie does. She has you ! have
only Toodles TO talk to- We have
been having a long chat Did you
ever notice how curiously human she
is?"
1T IL n pretty face" assented Ruth
reluctantly, but ! must take her"
And why not bring Maudic TO
Toodles." suggested Dedham softly
She needs Toodles, but so do /, and
] need you and Maudie. too Ruth.
Toodles and | have talked II all over
and we have decided that home Is no
place for bookkeeping. and that u /
left the books AZ tbe Office instead Of
working over them half the night. 1
might be more decent 10 my family.
Toodlcs thinks that ] can do II,
dear She has q wise little head even
u Il seems empty Won't wOu try
Il again and BRING Maudie 20 Toodlea
instead Of taking ToOdles to the Kid
dieg''
a he spoke he drew the doll To-
ward him aud something In the ges-
ture with which he slrokcd the fuzzy
head recalled to Ruth the time when
they two were In their courting days.
With a wuman's quick perception she
read the story Of the struggle IN the
worried face, and her hands vent out
to b. caught in his eaEer grasp
You wili!" he cried aa be drew
her 70 him aud ralned kiGaoa on the
tender face nov turned toward his
own. III may seem eowBrdly. dear
be uald brokeniy. bat there IL re-
yuiYer Ia the drnwer uf the desk and
think thai II Il had not been for
Toodlea might have been tempted
to-" 20
A rosy anger was pressed agains,
his llpa
softly. smiling down into the waxen
baby face. I'm take her over with
me. Jim. and bring them both back
in the morning
Not a bit OF i,, he insisted. as he
caught up hls fur-llned coat I've
promised Toodlsa that well stick to-
gethtf. and that doesn't mean letting
her 20 visiting the firat night of the
compact III wrap the kiddie IN thia
and we'll have her ready Ia no time.
Were going TO make a fresh start.
you and I. I've been all In the wrong
and know II nov And " start to
break loose again. there's alwsyn
Toodles to remind me ~ ms promise
but / ghan't need reminder
dear" and be smiled back at the doll
az the two left the room 10 bring
Maudle To Toodlea. ths peacemaker--
New Haven Register