The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-19

her better than any Dutch baby ever was loved in all the world.
 She bought the two dolls and then took the salesgirrs advice and started off towards the Noah's Ark to see the new lot that had just arrived
 Standing next to her in the jam and crowd was a man.
 His back was strangely familiar but he was so absorbed in the things on the Noahs Ark counter that he didn't see how hard Nancy was scrutinizing him.
 Deep in the melee of dolls, however, Nancy soon forgot the man-until she heard a gurgle of satisfaction-a little boys chuckle grown to q mans size pealing forth like Christmas Bell
 It was too delicious to resist
 She looked over at the man with the broad splendid shoulders-the nice, affirmative back, as Nancy expressed it arms advanced to his side and stood looking up into his face--smiling.
 You've turned Riddle, too, haven't you?" she latghingly said.
 What on earth are YOU doing here?'' he asked, terribly embarrassed, as he dropped the Noah's Ark he had just picked out.
 There couldn't be an Ark with such an interesting Japeth in it as the Ark had when l was a youngster," Nancy said presently.
 There couldn't?" he asked with 8 challenge. q don't know about that, and certainly your dolls, from the num- Der you have chosen, seem to be quite as interesting"
 Nancy stood firm.
 My dolls would just adore seeing your Noahs Ark, and all the animals trooping out" she smiled at him pres ently.s And those sHrships Wouldn't Gretchen look perfectly stun ming riding in an .airship?'
 For a man that Nancy had never liked they seemed to be getting on swim mingly
 She found herself confessing to him that she adored playing with dolls and he inreturn, confided that he still loved toys and every Christmas, old Bachelor that he was, he bought lot of them
 
 tending that he was a kid once more!
 My desk is simply filtered with fly ing machines and toys. he said, pleased as any child. Looks like a regular Aviation Field"
 Nancy clapped her hands for very joy.
 Why can't we play Riddles and my dolls and your Aeroplanes enjoy them selves together?" she cried Why not-indeed?
 I'd just love it." she said enthusi- astically. T never knew that you were half way human before, and yet I've sat next to you during at least a hun dred dinner parties. and talked about Isben and Browning and G. B. S., and German Philosophy galore. Why, how should know that you were human enough to appreciate a little wooley sheep or a miniature flying machine?"
 See here! Are you going to the B----'s dinner party tonight?' he inter- rupted.
 Nancy nodded. "Id lots rather stay at home and trim Gretchen's bonnet, though she said
 Why can't we eat and run" he sug- gested
 Very impolite. but perfectly lovely she agreed.
 I'll tuck my flying machine and Noah's Ark away irbthe Automobile and we'll have the time of our lives" he shouted.
 "The family will all be away and we will have the dolls in the living room waiting for us when we get there, and it willsbe such fun,' Nancy cried
 Your dolls can ride in my airships and look at my Noah's Ark, and you and l can be kids again--just for to- night the man said happily
 Next morning at breakfast big broth CT Bob said in rather flamboyant voice:
 What was Nancy talking about late last night when came in? heard her saying: Hit him in the sides and he will B-a-a-a!' And deep masculine voice returned: Watch out! Gretchen's losing her hat Wait, You'll break the propeller.' and a lot more foolishness like that"
 Bob's mother replied: My son, you are entirely too young to intelligently appreciate Christmas toys"
 And that told the story.