The Dolores star., 1919-01-24
"BABY DOLL"
IllllllllilllliliiIlllllIllIliliiiillllliiIllii
sy PERclvAL MARSH.
.sopynsst. lsls. Western Nsw,p.p.r sien.,

three spinster sisters that he had at
last accumulated ten thousand dollars
and that it WAS safe in bank, the sol
acins eo,nplacency tlled their sonls
that they would never have TO starve.
He had gone into buying grain from
nearby farmers and had made money
fast storing his purchases and ship
ping to the city always on a rising
market
When one day he entered the house
and slapped down on the table a pack.
age Of legal looking documents. with
giosting unction remarklng. There
are the title deeds to house and lot.
free and clear" all hands smiled with
delight, for they knew that a perma-
nent roof was assured.
Going to the city to buy an auto
mobile he announced somewhat later
Were going to take all the good out
OF life We can get" About a week
later there came d telegram to Hor-
tense, the elder sister. II read Home
Tuesday afternoon By new auto, Also
4 wife" and the nutter this iurorma-
tion caused kept the three astounded
and suspenserul sisters on rantalizlng
hooks through forty eight hours.
They We're kindly or heart though
having narrow notions 10 some re-
spects. Horace had been good broth
eI and they hoped lie had made suit
able choice OF helpmeet.
She came and the sisters stared.
They had never seen greater beauty.
Piluant, petite, ever smiling, II could
pot be In the heart OF any one In the
world to resist her. She dazzled them
with her pretty ways. As the three
sisters were alone Hortense said with
a sigh: She loves Horace, that is
sure. She greets her new home as
palace. She has no relatives. Horace
says. SO there will be no divided nor
Interfering interests. Only eve words
express It,"
Speak them. Hortenss," urged
bfurtel
she is a baby doll" and that set
tied conviction seemed unanimous.
One thing" spoke Rose, u week
later. Meta is no gadder. She loves
his home"
Yes" echoed Muriel. "and her de-
votion TO Horace is almost pathetic"
And did you ever see such fancy
work as she Is capable Of dolng?" sup
plemented Hortense, and, when the
latter cornplimented Netta on this fea-
ture the next day. the latter said mod
estly:
u ought to know something in that
line, for l spent three years as an ap-
prentice You see, artificial flower
making is my trade"
Trader mildly Hortense echoed
the 1srring word.
We'll, II is scarcely profession, Is
IT. smiled Meta sweeuy. you see,
when your brother first met me / had
become forewomaR in a millinery sup
ply house. They soy l had become
an expert, SO If ever dear Horace has
business reverses We have something
to fall back upon"
The reverses came. A shrswd. none
too scrupulous grain buyer appeared
as rival In the field and Horace be-
gan TO lose trade. He made some un-
lucky purchases. In six months his
surplus at the bank was gone. A lit
lie later he had to mortgage the home
and sell the automobile. Then he had
q serious breakdown.
Sisters said Meta one day. 1.-The
uIns has come for US to show our
met:le. want you, Hortense, TO go
to -ae city tomorrow to help me buy
some stock. l am going TO start into
the artificial flower business in mod
est way. | know the line. l know
the trade. and l know further that In
side Of u week you three cnn become
experts with all your quick ideas and
industry and niftiness."
So Meta took Hortense with her to
the city and spent week studying the
marS-t She had some money of her
own unG she invested II unhesitating-
ly She purchased ribbons and sheets
q SILK, and satin and other fabrics
used liz nGG!rg pretty floral counter
f,its. She bought dies. and wire and
tools. BY the end Of two weeks the
bis ,.ariors were transformed into busy
work rooms. System and order pre-
vaIiel thorough business woman
Netta had an Immediate outlet tor her
wares. Horace, recuperating. mur-
INJURED over his uselessness.
Ready to work?" questioned Meta
brightly. VERY well. First, you shall
help pack and ship. Then you shall
keep the books. Then. dear. as soon
as we are well started, instead Of sell
ing to the jobbers you shall be our
travelling salesman. We will work up
direct clients Of our own and make
double profit. Why. the business will
be ideal"
How cozy 1t has been. and how
nice" said Hortense one day, year
later. The mortgage had been paid
on and they had new automobile
and money in bank. The business
had grown SO that work rooms down
town were necessary and Horace was
alowlv safely feeling his way back