Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1910-12-30
The Eai.sy Doll

treat, FOR she nsedod watching ever
minute she was awake, but Just a
that time we needed a stirring up
However. anything that would hav,
broken the spell would have been a.
welcome. But the Lord sent Eloise
I didn't attempt to tell Gordon. II
/ fact, since he had begun to act like I
man robbed Of his reason, and for
bade our mentioning Aliee's name
silence and gloom had settled upor
us. and was becoming almost unbear
able. We ate in painful silence. Of
talked in monosyllables, and sal
about the evening lamp in the same
way, making a brave effort to other
wise appear natural. which was i'm
possible, as there wasn't o natural
thing about the whole affair.
When grandpa and I were alone ali
we could talk OF was Gordon and
Alice, and being in total ignorance OF
the cause OF their estrangement there
was nothing TO be gained from specu
lating.
Twenty years Is a long while. yet II
Is surprising how quickly some things
will set Us Nh over the interval
Every morning I awoke with that old
pain, which time aud care had helped
to deaden, tussing at my heart
strings. ohliterating the happy years
the care Of Gordon ia our changed
environment had given US.
When it seemed the very darkest
Eloise arrived. She tripped airilv
up the walk selfoonscious with the
responsibility Of travelling alone. She
wanted to 60 to "her rooms at once.
I followed her up to the little room
she called her own. which had been
Gordon's when he was her age and
older. To her it seemed a treasure
house, made so perhaps. by the bed.
time stories OF the little boy who
had played and slept there. She
looked about her, her glance resting
lovingly on the familiar objects, when
suddenly she shrieFed
Where is sheg Aunt Harry.
where has she gone? MY Bethsy
dolll"
The Betsey doll had once been the
delight Of Gordon. having been sent
him from Paris by his fathers sister.
Now, with all his other abandoned
toys, it was at her disposal while
visiting us.
"Hushl She's in the big trunk, up
in the attic. Harlll l hear someone
coming in. Be a good girl and stop
crying. | viii come right back and
we viii go and get her"
did not 90 right back, It was
Gordon who had come in. He sat
with his head in his hands and looked
so thin and pale all could do was
stare.
I'm going away, Aunt Harriet" he
said without looking up, 81 don't
know where shall go, but somewhere
where | can forget how to think; or
else l shall blow my brains out so
can't"
tried to speak, but my voice
would not come.
"Its no use" he continued, T'n
go mad if"
open the doori" The shrek was
emphasized with the toe of her shoe
against the hall door
l opened it to admit .Eloise, her
little skirt held at arms length and
filled With had no idea what. Shs
ran to Gordon and piled them on his
lap.
I was speechless when saw what
she had given him.
Absently he looked at the photo
graph she held up to him.
Your" he asked.
/ shook my head.
He took another, then started at
the resemblance to himself.
'Who was that" he demanded, my
father?"
nodded.
"Why have never seen these be-
fore? where did she get them?"
His strange manner frightened
Eloise. She whimpered: "I went
after my Bethsy dollie."
WAS she my mother? OF course
she was your twin sister; that is
why thought her picture yours"
Carefully and silently he examined
every bit of paper, with its account
of that awful tragedy, made no less
vivid by age, while Eloise crouched,
a frightened little heap at his feet.
and my heart beats deafened me.
You and grandpa have-haye
shielded me from-from this all my
life? 7 understand now why you new
er spoke to me Of them, have won
dered so much. How good you've
been"
l did not hear any more. When
I woke up / was IN my bed Grand
pa was in the room and a nurse with
a cap On, and Gordon. began 30
think had had horrible nightmare
grandpa and Gordon looked so happy;
when Eloisa came into the room hug
ging the doll 10 her bosom.
ooh, Aunt Harry Cousin Gordon
has given me the Bethsy doll to take
home!"
Alice is here grandpa has told
us everything, and she declares--"
Alice stepped into the room and Cor
don led her TO the bedside. "I was
telling Aunt Harriet. dear, that you
have forgiven me and am willing,
anxious (and he kissed her there be
fore us ALI to marry me. knowing
that my father was an insanely ieal-
GUS man, and killed my mother and
himself"
couldn't look at them. l felt so
full Of peace and thankfulness. so let
my eyes rest on Eloise in the low
rocker singing q lullaby to her babv