Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-12-24
DOLLS AND HEARTS

By ALICE LOWELL. T..

0shoica'e'' .. .U3
 The long; gray racer tore up the axA,, ,ue and witf'l q grinding of brakes came to sudden stop before the rrawfords' summer home. Dick .CraWt ford sprang over the wheel, ran up i;.he stems two at a time, and rang the bell impatiently. James, butler, alisWerEd inc ring, and stood erect and imposing, awaiting orders: When he saw who, it was. however, he unbent, and even smiled, as he said, "Sure, it's Dick. welcome home. sir. Welcome to Hills- croft again. ..,is{i
 Dick laughed a boyish laugh and said heartily, as he clapped the astoill- ished butler. on the back, ''WeIl, .Jim- mic, old scout how are you?'
 The butler, after his first outburst. was his old calm. important self again. HMr. Crawford left note for YOU. Dick, to be delivered immediately you rame" he said, respectfully, handing Dick a hastily written note, in his fa- ther's familiar abrupt style.
 "Dan JOyce's little girl, Peggy" he read, lis coming to spend the summer with us. Joyce was my partner, you know, but died about six weeks ago. tlub, so cannot meet us. Will come on 2:1G train. Bring doll to meet us." | Dick glanced at his watch. Good Lord" he cried, '15 minutes to make tf in ,t -
 Leaving the astonishod James ta pick up his bags he dashed down ths talk and soon the car Was lost in | Noud of dust. He brought the car G|Eudden stop in front of Compton, tjyfshpp and ran in. "I want g doll, : baGEaid abruptly to the clerk ' MSttisst one you have" In threc n; utes Dick Crawford ran out of the f. sha, with a -daxen-haired doll ts' MtkleksIyi under one arm.
 WAP6Dr girl said Dick 1o hit.5.. dbfnJ: fit must be mighty tough .s <ale in the world Then tc the '.#.. 1KH hay: in the seat opposite, W 4Ae her happy, won't we:
 As he came in sight of the dep : heard the trains shril whistle er iutting on more. power he coverea t.. dStance just as the train rolle9 l. Gut he sprang and rushed fo,.'a . Sp6h he saw bis fathers port', f'..' iHthe doorway and with glad o, Bfang toward him,
 Hello dad. I got hori and >hgl beaut,' he cried excitedly as he pu .ii,, the naxen-haired vision in pnI. |. his fathers arms.
 What In the name of conn sense?" said his father slowly, ae . held the doli gngerly by one a''== "What does this mean?' Then ns tall girl with sad. dark eyes and lHe yellow hair looked around his shoEl 's' he said suddenly, Peggy, dea, tht- my son Dick
 The girl gaZed at Dick, then 3 '., doll. The req lips smiled and 9 glor,y f. dimple made it's appearance. Enc. Dick and his father suddenly heard low ripping laugh. "I'm not realln very small,' she said, but l do love dolls,' and reaching out her arms she took the doll from Mir. Crawford,s arms. It broke the strain for Dick, al though he still felt mighty foolish.
 But you said you were bringing a child" he said, turning to his father 'and I know you said bring doll,'' he added responsibility.
 wave of comprehension broke over his father. and he laughed sud denly.
 Has three years of college life and racers made you forget that we have docie family horse at HilIscroft named Doll? Did you think for minute I'd Tide in your fool racer? You can break your neck, but I'll walk. if you don't mind." So Dick and Peggy rode to < Hillscroft alone, with the doll tightly clasped in Peggy's arms.
 The summer sped swiftly by. and autumn saw pretty wedding take place at Hillscroft.
 Dick and Peggy had skilfully eluded their pursuers and were driving down the river drive when Peggy said sud denly, "Oh, Dicky. dear, I'm so sorry, but we are going to have some one with us on our honeymoon. Will you mind so awfully much:'
 Dick brought the car to q sudden halt. "Who?" he asked tersely.
 With a laugh that was more sob Peggy bent over the seat and pulled Our flaxeN-haired. rumpled doll and nussing it 70 her she said breathlessly, "Dicky, she brought me my first hap I1nass after I'd been blue and home sex for over month, and just couldn't leave her behind, could 1?"
 Poor little child" Dick said softly. is his arms closed round her, "of sr'rss, not"