The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1919-09-20
DOLLS N HEARTS

BY ALICE LOWELL.


Copyright, 1918, by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate.)
The long, gray racer tore up the ave-
nue. and with a grinding of brakes
came to a sudden stop before the
Crawfords' summer home. Dick Craw-
ford sprang over the wheel, ran up the
steps two at a time, and rang the bell
impatiently. James, butler, answered
the 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."
Dick laughed a boyish laugh and
said heartily, as he clapped the aston
ished butler ON the back, Well, jim
mic, old scout. how are your"
The butler, after his first outburst,
was his old calm, important self again.
"Mr. Crawford left a note for you,
Dick, to be delivered Immediately you
came," he said, respectfully, handing
Dick a hastily written note, in his ia
theirs 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..
Poor child, left all alone. Mother at
club, so cannot meet us. Will come on
2:10 train. Bring doll to meet U.S."
Dick glanced at his watch. Good
Lord" he cried, "15 minutes to make
1t in"
Leaving the astonished James to
pick up his bags he dashed down the
walk and soon the car was lost In a
cloud of dust. He brought the a to
a sudden stop in front of Compton's
toy shop and raj in. II want a DOLL"
he said abruptly to the clerk, 1.-THE
prettiest one you have" In three min
utes Dick Crawford al out of the toy
shop with a fla%xen-haired doll held
recklessly under one arm.
"Poor girl" said Dick to himself
softly. 1T must be mighty tough to be
alone In the world" Then to the doll
who lay in the seat opposite. Wen
make her happy. won't WEI"
AS he came in sight of the depot he
heard the trains shrill 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 a glad cry he
sprang toward him.
Hello dad, / got her, and she's a
beaut." he cried excitedly. as he pushed
the flaxen-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 n arm.
"What does this meanY 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 a glorious
dimple made It's appearance. Then
Dick and his father suddenly heard a
low ripping laugh. I'm not really
very small" she said, but / do love
dolls" and, reaching out her arms. she
took the doll from Mr.. Crawford's
arms. 1t 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 l know you said bring doll" he
added re~proachfully.
A wav of comprehension broke
over his father, and ne laughed sud
denly.
Has three years of college life and
racers made you forget that we have q
|, docile family horse at Hillscroft named
Doll? Did you think for a minute I'd
ride 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 a 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 vi on our honeymoon. VIII you
lmind SO awfully much?"
II Dick brought the car to a sudden
halt. "Who?" he asked tersely.
With a laugh that was more a sob
? Peggy bent over the seat and pulled
, out a faxen-haired. rumpled doll, and
hugging it to her she said b~reathlessly,
) "Dicky, she brought me my first hap
) piness after I'd been blue and home
sick for over a month. and | Just
couldn't leave her behind. could II"
: poor little child" Dick said softly.
y as his arms closed round her, "of