The diamond drill., 1919-03-01
DOLLS AND HEARTS
IIlIIlIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIInIIlIG
BY ALICE LOWELL.

The long. gray racer tore up the ave-
nue. and with "A grinding OF brakes
came 10 sudden stop before the
Crawfords summer home. Dick Craw-
ford sprang over the wheel. ran up the
steps two AT time. and rang the bell
impatiently. James. butler. answered
the ring. and stood erect and imposing,
awaiting orders. When he saw who 1t
was. however. he unbent. and even
smiled. as he said, Sure, It's Dick.
Welcome home. sir. Welcome 10 Hills
croft again"
Dick laughed hoyish laugh and
said heartily, as he clapped the aston
ished butler on the back. well, jim
mle. old scout. how are your
The butler, after his first outburst,
was his old calm, important self again.
.Mr. Crawford left note for you,
Dick. 10 be delivered Immediately you
came" he said. respectfully, handing
Dick hastily written note. In his fa-
ther's familiar abrupt style.
"Dan Joyce's little girl, Peggy" he
read, ''is coming to spend the summer
with US. Joyce was my partner, you
know, but died about six weeks ago.
Poor child, left all alone. Mother at
club. so cannot meet us. VIII come on
2:10 train. Bring doll to meet us"
Dick glanced at his watch. Good
Lord" he cried. 10 minutes TO make
IL IN"
Leaving the astonished James 10
pick up his bags he dashed down the
walk and soon the car was lost In IA
cloud OF dust. He brought the car To
sudden stop In front of Comptons
toy shop and ran I'm. III want doll"
he said abruptly TO the clerk, "the
prettiest one you have" In three min
utes Dick Crawford ran out of the toy
shop with n fiaXen-haired doll held
recklessly under one arm.
"Poor girl" said Dick TO himself
softly. 'lt must be mighty tough 10 be
alone in the world" Then to the doll
who lay In the seat opposite. Wen
make her happy, won't we?'
AS he came in sight Of the depot he
heard the trains shrll whistle and
putting on more power he covered the
distance just as the train rolled In.
| out he sprang and rushed forward.
Soon he saw his fathers portly form
In the doorway and with glad cry he
sprang toward him.
"Hello dad, | got her, and she's
beaut," he cried excitedly, as he pushed
the fiaxen-haired vision In pink into
his fathers arms.
"What in the name of common
sense?" said his father slowly, as he
held the doll gingerly by one arm.
"What does this meani" Then as a
tall girl with sad, dark eyes and wavy
yellow hair looked around his shoulder
he said suddenly, Peggy, dear. this is
my son Dick"
The girl gazed at Dick, then at the
doll. The red lips smiled and glorious
.dmple made It's appearance Then
( Dick and his father suddenly heard q
low rlppling laugh. I'm not really
very small" She said but I do love
dolls" and, reaching out her arms. she
took the doll from Mr.. Crawfords
arms. IL 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 | know You said bring doll" he
added reprouchfully.
A wave of comprehension broke
over his father, and he laughed sud
denly.
HAS three years Of college life and
racers mnde you forget that we have a
docile family horse at Hillscroft named
! Doll? Did you think for minute ia
| ride In your fool racer? You can break
/ your neck, but I'll walk, II 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 sklfully 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 10 have some one
with us on our honeymoon. VIII you
mind SO awfully much?"
Dick brought the car TO sudden
halt. "WhoY he asked tersely.
With a laugh that was more sob
Peggy bent over the seat and pulled
out fiaxen-halred. rumpled doll, and
huggng II 10 her she said breathlessly,
"Dicky she brought me my first hap
| piness after I'd been blue and home
sick for over n month. and just
couldn't leave her behind, could II"
Poor little child" Dick said softly,
ns his arms closed round her. "of
course. not"