The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-07-08


to make any noise or to touch the
baby, she disappeared in the doorway.
The boy stood absolu ely still
watching the doll after she had gone.
1t was the first time he had ever been
so close to a doll. and they were in
ffnitely lovelier close at hand than
from distance. He put out his hand,
the temptation to touch the velvety
cheeks was too strong. Then he
stopped. Suppose she should wake
up and began to cry. Bessie would
know that he had disobeyed, and she
might not be willing to play with him
after that He deliberately turned
his back on Ruth it was easier not
to touch If he did not see the doll
lying, so wonderful, before him.
When Bessie came out she carried
whole armful of clothes, which she
transferred to Norman.
Then she returned and a moment
later brought out miniature blanket,
which she followed in the curve of
her arms. Into the hollow went the
baby, and Bessie tucked the edges of
the cover well around her. At the
last moment Norman remembered his
express wagon; 1t would be fine to
carry the clothes in that, and after
ward it would make a good bed for
the baby. He ran home and soon
came back with 1t. Then the little
family went to take up its quarters
on the piazza across the street.
A pile of boards in the corner made
good dining room table, the express
wagon by the steps was the bedroom
and under it Bessie carefully folded
the baby's wardrobe. IT'S night time
now," Norman said, land we've all got
to sleep while the baby does. That
step is your bed, and this is mine"
He stretched himself out on the bot
tom step, and Bessie lay down on the
step next to the top, where the baby's
bed stood. She pushed the wagon
back and forth a few times, explain
ing that the baby always had to have
the cradle rocked before she would
sleep Then the whole family slept
1t was only a moment that Norman
was quiet After that he opened first
one eye and then the other, yawned
nightly and sat up. "My goodness!
It's morning." he exclaimed. Mother!
Get up! It's time for breakfast"
Bessie sat up, and rubbed her eyes.
$50 it is" she cried. 1T must be
O'clock"
Its time to dress the baby, isn't
it?" asked Norman. Bessie nodded her
head. "I'll do it now" she said. She
lifted the doll from her bed the dolls
eyes opened wide, and for the first
time Norman saw that they were
deep, pure blue. That was just the
right color for eyes to be. The night.
gown came off, and Norman had
f1eeting glimpse of plump, pink body
before Bessie had slipped some dainty
white clothes over the curly head.
Norman thought that nothing was
ever so lovely as the doll when she
was all dressed. She had tiny red
shoes and socks, white dress with
red bows on the shoulders and a red
sash. Bessie tied a mite of a red bow
on the side of her head, and, as a fin.
ishing touch, she printed a sounding
kiss on the dolls chubby face. Nor
man had stood watching in silence.
Now he spoke.
What are we going to have for
breakfast, mother?" he asked.
Eggs" replied Bessie, of course,
and coffee and bread. But l have to
make the beds before | make the
breakfast. Papa, will you hold the
baby and I'll make them now"
Would he hold the baby! Would
he! He held out his arms in silence.
He was too happy to speak. you
can take her for little walk, and be
careful not to let her fall, she might
be killed" warned the little mother.
She snuggled the baby under her chin
for a moment, kissed her, and held
| her out to Norman.
The doll rested awkwardly in his
unaccustomed arms. She doesn't
know me yet" he apologized to Bes-
sic, as he walked down the path. He
held the doll pressed tight against
him. Somehow she didn't fit the way
| she did into Bessie's neck. He lifted
her a trifle higher so that the dolls
cheek rested against his own. 1t
wasn't warm and responsive as he had
expected to find tit was only cold
and stiff. She didn't cuddle at all.
The tighter he held her the more
uncomfortable it was. Something was
wrong. He looked into the dolls eyes
and smiled reassuringly, but there
was no friendly glance in reply. Sud
denly he wished that Bessie would
come and take her. 1t was so much
nicer to watch Bessie love the baby
than to love her himself. He turned
back to the house and walked very
quickly, he who had strolled so slow
| ly away a few minutes before. It
seemed to him that he had gone
great distance. He stumbled up the
steps. Bessie had just finished max
ing up the cradle, and was looking
down at him.
He held forth the doll very gently
but very decisively. Take the baby
mother, and kiss her." he said. Babies