The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1919-02-28
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES,
|DOLLS AND HEARTS,
BY ALICE LOWELL.
Observation-Disclosures
7tHt U3 NN tUKW
Syndicate.

tSupyaiGht. 1918. by Mcclure Newspap
Syndtcatey
The long. gray racer tore up the ave.
nne anu with grinding OF brakes
came TO sudden stop before the
Grawforas summer home. Dick Craw-
ford sprang over the wheel ran up the
steps two at time. and rang the bell
impatientiy 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 to Hills
croft again.
Dick laughed a boyish laugh and
said heartily, as he ciapped the aston
ished butler ON the back, Well, jim.
mile, 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, 4 he said. respectfully, handing
| Dick a hastily written note. la his I'll.
| ther's familiar abrupt style.
Dan Joyce's little girl. Peggy he
| read, is coming to spend the summer
| With ns. Joyce was my partner. you
know, but died about six weeks ago
| Poor child, LETT all alone Mother at
| club. SO cannot meet us. VIII come on
| 2:l0 train. Bring doll to meet as.
Dick glanced AT his watch. Good
Lord he cried. sI5 minutes to make
! Ii In
Leaving the astonished James 10
| pick up his bags he dashed down The
/ walk aud soon tiie car MAS lost In Il
cloud Of dust He brought the eur 10
! sudden stop la front OF compton's
/ toy shop and ran In. II want DOLL
| he said abruptly 10 the clerk, THE
| prettiesi ole You have In three min
utes Dick Crawford ran out OF the toy
shop with II tiaxen- haired doll held
/ recklessly under one arm.
Poor GIRL snid Dick to himself
| softly. 1t must be mighty tough 10 be
alone In the world Then TO the doll
who lay IL the seat opposite, "We'li
| make her happy, won't wefh
As he came Iii sight OF the depot he
heard the trains shrill whistle and
Il
distance Just as the train rolled In
Out he sprang and rushed forward
Soon lie saw his fathers portls form
Ia the doorway and With glad cry he
sprang toward him.
Hello dad, got her, aud shes u
heaul lie erIed eAcitedly, IS lie pushed
Tile flaxenhuired vision In pink Into
his fathers arms
i What tn the nnme OF common
sense said his father slowly, as he
held the doll gingerly by one arm.
What does this neanfn Then az d
tal girl with sad, dark eyes and wavy
yellow hair looked around his shoulder
he said suddenly, Peggy, dear. this Ii
my son Dick"
The girl gazed ut Dick, then at ths
doll. The red lips smiled and glorious
dInple made its appearance Then
Dick and his father suddenly heard q
low ripping laugh. I'm not really
very small" she said, "but | do love
dolls and, reaching out her arms. she
took he doll from Mr.. Crawford's
arms, II broke the strain for Dick, al
though he still felt mighty foolish
But you said you We're bringing q
child he said, turning TO his father.
and | know you said bring DOLL he
added reproachfully.
A Wave Of comprehension broke
over his father, and he laughed sud
denly
Hns three years of college life and
racers made you forget that we have
,iocile fnmily horse al Hillseroft named
Doll? did yau 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
iilllscroft alone, with the doll tightly
clasped In Peggys arms.
S Tile summer sped swiftly by, and
autumn saw q pretty wedding take
place Mt Hillscroft.
Dick and Peggy had skilfully eluded
their pursuera aud were driving down
The river drive when Peggy said aud.
denly. "Oh. Dlcky, dear, I'm SO sorry.
With us on our honeymoon, Wiil you
mind 50 awfully muehg'
Dick brought the car TO sudden
hall. "Whof" he asked terseiy.
4 With d laugh that was more a sob
Peggy bent over the seat and pulled
! out a2enhalred, rumpIed doll, ena
hugging II to her she said breathIessls.
| 'sDicky. she brought me my first hnp.
piness after Id been blue and home
sick for over d month, and Just
couldn't leave her behind. could IT,
I poor little child" Dick said softly
as his arms closed round her .oi
course, not"