The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-25

~ EHElLxNG S10RY
Polly in TOyIand.
(By Clarissa Mackie.)
The toy department was fairy
land Of the most wonderful playthings
| gathered from all parts OF the world
and Polly dropped Uncle Dicks hand
and started on an exploring expedi-
ton all by herself. Dick Carleton,
having sundry commissions to execute
for Santa Claus, was relieved that
Polly's bright eyes were diverted else
| where for the moment and that her
acute little ears could not hear his re-
marks to the saleswoman concerning
| q certain dolls house that Polly had
admired. There was little wigwaIn
all set up on circle Of imitation
green grass that attracted Pol1y's at
tention almost at once. It was around
the corner from the counter where
Uncle Dick was standing and Polly
slipped around there and peeked
within the flaps which were folded
| across the opening.
What a pufickly deah little
housed" crowed Polly in unconscious
imitation of her mammals dearest
friend. Thereupon she disappeared
within the wigwam and examined the
interior. The floor was covered with
the furry skin Of some wild animal
| and there was a cunning three-legged
kettle hanging over some crossed
sticks
Polly planned how she would fur
| nish this delightful retreat, and in
the midst OF planning the heated air
sent her drowsily to dreaming.
While Polly slept there, Dick Carle-
ton was searching frantically for his
little niece. No one had seen her and
no one could spare time In this last
hurried rush Of Christmas Eve to as
sist Dick in his search. Finally he
concluded that some artful kidnapper
had. -lured Polly away. from his side.
street and reported the loss Of Polly
to the police department
"Ah-h-h-h, um! yawned Polly
sleepily as she rolled over on the furry
rug and opened her blue eyes.
Just then the flaps Of the wfgwam
were pulled aside and the light and
chatter and din Of the crowded toy
retreat.
Dear me- said a delightful voice;
what a lovely little place in which
to take a nap!'
Are you an angel?" asked Polly.
mo, indeed!" laughed Bettina
|.vaness. Tell me what you are doing
in there. little girl
Z
IL came in to see it, she whis-
pered in a wavering voice: land
now I want my Uncle Dick!"
Come here, DEAR" said Bettina.
mo doubt your Uncle Dick is looking
for you. How long have you been in
there %
Polly's ideas of time were exceed
ingly vague.
"OnIy a few days." she replied.
Bettina was startled. She was not
accustomed to children.
She found q quiet seat out of the
track of the Christmas shoppers and
little by little she drew from Polly the
story of how she had become sepj
arated from Uncle Dick. They had
come out to look for a present for
Polly to give grandfather and grand
mother. She had selected for grand
father q most alluring book.
81 knew he would like it." said
Polly naively. ''It was about the cut
est little girlHthe book was called
Patty and Her Pitcher"
"Indeed?" cried Bettina, land what
did you get for grandmother?
"You will never guess!'' exclaimed
Polly. 81 wanted a dolly's hair brush
and comb know grandmother
would want to give 1t to me for Flor
ence, my best dol1-so she would like
to have 1t, you see. But Uncle Dick
brush-we were just going downstairs
to get something sensible-when I
saw the wigwam and went in
Now, you must tell me your name
and where you live, Polly"
my name." said Polly calmly. 'is
Polly Carleton and 1 can't remember
where I live-you see. 1t never mat
tered until got lost.
She was looking intently into Bet
tfna's lovely face, with its exquisite