The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-09-21

city, yet when a carriage was not at
| hand, no one considered it a hard
! ship to walk
One day--about two weeks after the
| accident l have been telling of-Vir-
| ginia had driven in with her father
| after lunch to take a music lesson,
| after which she had an important err
rand. 1t was this-her mothers
! birthday came the following week,
and If only she could buy her a beau
tiful vase 1t might in some measure
make up for the one lost. OF course.
1t would not be a Venetian vase, but
a cut glass one was not to be despised.
And IT, said Virginia to herself,
"she is really pleased with 1t. perhaps
I'll feel little better
And the entire contents of her bank
went into the little silver chain purse
that hung from her finger.
But the errand had been in vain.
The glass and china store in town
offered nothing that met virginia's
needs. And now 1t was getting late,
and the long walk home was before
her.
With the little purse as full as when
she left home, and her conscience still
troubling her, she started on her way.
The early darkness of the fall after
ginia reached the clump of woods just
adjoining the Graham place. 1t was
a iopely stretch of road, although so
near home, and the little girl quick
ened her pace as she approached it
few steps. and, to her disnay,
she saw citing beside the road a
rough looking fellow. a tramp evil
IDENTIFY, who eyed her stolidly as she
advanced.
Probably all would have gone we'll
had not the mans eye been attracted
by the fat little purse dangling from
her hand. In an instant he was on his
feet.
Poor Virginia. Her feet seemed
glued TO the ground and her tongue
to the roof Of her mouth as the dirty
hand grasped her shoulder, and she
heard the words, Just hand over that
purse, young lady"
Then she found voice 20 scream.
MOT No! You shan't have il. Help!
Help"
But the hand was over her mouth
and the purse wTenched from her
grasp. when there came a crashing
through the bushes, dear. familiar
bark and, although the man sprang
for the woods, Laddie was too quick
for him, and In q moment the fellow
was on his back, with the dog growl-
ing ominously over him.
Then Ffrgtnfa's cry or 'THe1pTr rang
out again. and was soon answered by
the sound OF running feet down the
road; and Mr.. Graham and John ap-
peared on the scene.
It was a very much shaken virginia
who was petted and consoied when
the party reached the house
Brave girl" said father. land good
old Laddie, too. I guess well have
to keep him in spite OF his breaking
things. All, mother"
But before Mrs, Graham could an
swer, an eager but trembling voice
broke in:
20 mother, o father. He didn't,
I did I let You think T4adde broke
the vase. and oh. I've been so mis-
erable." And out came the whole
sorry story
You must punish me" walled Viz
ginia, Just az hard as you did Lad
die"
Father looked soberly at the little
penitent
Il don't think It should be In the
same way, but what would be the
severest punishment just now, Vir-
ginia 80
Virginia held her breath a moment
Then; Yes" she cried, Y know what
you are thinking OF, fatner-my Bos-
ton visit, the week of my birthday.
And I'll write Aunt Jennie tonight
that can't come. I'll stay at home,
and no one-uot a single person
musf give me a birthday present. Dear
old Laddie," cried Virginia, will you
forgive me?"
And Laddie harked a Sure, little
mistress" and licked her hand hap
PLY.
Perhaps should add that the Bos-
ton visit was most cheerfully given up,
and the only present Virginia received
on her birthday was fine new collar
for l4addie, which she proudly clasped
about his neck. On II was engraved:
"Laddie. from Virginia. Lest we for
get the October OF 1912"