The Washington times., 1913-09-01
For The Times Children
Just Before It's Bedtime
THE DOLL AND THE soLDIER-Part I.
IN the window OF a store there stood
a pretty French doll. Her hair was
golden and hung about her shoulders

i
In curls.
She wore a pretty lace bonnet, will
pink bows on It. and her dress wa,
| made OF lace ruffes over an undei
dress OF pink.
Her eyes were the color Of the sky or
very pretty day, and that is the rea
son the soldier named her Blue-Eyes.
BIue-Eyes stood IN box and she was
fastened In 1t or she would have fallen
right into the soldiers arms. I expect
That is, IL he had turned just the ieas'
bit toward her.
The Soldier stood with his back near
ly turned to Blue-Eyes. but still he
could zee her out Of the corner Of one
eye in the daytime.
At night. Of course, he turned right
around and looked straight at her until
daylight. This soldier, I am not sure
Of his rank or to what regiment, OF
even to what nation he belonged. but
he wore q suit OF whitehall Is, his
coat was white, with gold broad across
the front and epaulets of gold fringe.
His trousers were Of blue with gold
braid down the sides, but the most
beautiful thing about his whole costume
was a gold stick he carried in one hand
with q ball on one end.
When some one turned q small key
which was right in the middle OF his
back, right through the white coat, too,
he would move his feet back and forth
just as though he were walking, only
he would never move from the spot On
which he stood. and the gold stick in
his hand with the gold ball on the end
Of It would turn over and over In his
hand.
But 1 almost forgot the most impor-
tant part Of his dress. and the one thing
that first attracted Blue Eyes atten-
ton. On his head he wore a tall hat Of
fur. Brown fur II was, and q little
strap went under his chin to hold 1t in
place. The first time Blue Eyes saw
that hat she thought right of. what a
lovely mum that would make" and she
looked so hard that one night the SOL
dier turned right around.
When he saw Blue Eyes he fell In
love with her at once. How long have
you been here7" he asked.
oh! I stood here before you came.
You see II Is not Christmas time. and
here some months answered Blue
Eyes, but you are a newcomer. aren't
your
Yes. I came over only short time
ago." replied the little soldier.
What did you come over?" asked
Blue-Eyes.
''Over the water, OF course" answered
the little soldier. You did. too. 1 am
sure. Don't you remember being on q
ship?"
mo, l was in a box with lots and
lots of other dolls. and I don't remem-
Der anything after / was put in that
box until i was taken out and put in
this window. Some of the other dolls
were put on a shelf In this store. but
have never seen them since"
'-Of course. you were selected for the
window" said the soldier. The best
ones are always put there, and I am
sure none of the others had such beauti-
ful blue eyes as yours. l shall call you
Blue-Eyes after this"
Blue-Eyes tried to look displeased,
but 1t was too nice a compliment to
pass unnoticed.
II am afraid You are a fiatterer,"
said Blue-Eyes. trying to lower the lids
of her eyes, but she was standing up
and, Of course. 1t was impossible.
You know l can close my eyes when
l am lying down." she said.
II can well understand why they
made you stand in a window" said
the soldier. ITO close your eyes would
hide half your beauty. although you
have the sweetest mouth l ever saw
and the whitest teeth" said the bold
fellow, looking straight at Blue-eyes.
or course Blue-Eyes was pleased with
all the pretty things he said, but she
had her mind and her eyes also on his
beautiful fur hat.
Your coat Is very handsome" she
said. "and love to see you twirl that
gold stick around, but / should think
that hat would be very heavy and hot
10 wear all the time
"Oh! 1 never think of my hat, and
az for the gold stick, am sure II I
could keep going long enough 1 could
do many more things" replied the SOL
dier.
Every night for a long time after
this the little soldier turned around and
looked at Blue-Eyes, and one night he
told her of his love for her. but Blue
Eyes thought only OF the fur hat and
what a beautiful mum 1t would make.