The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1920-01-22
GINGER BREAD DOLL
BY MILDRED WHITE.


remedy within her four studio walls
to palliate this distress. Through her
weary brain fitted memories OF past
ailments Of childhood, and the charm
which never failed to relieve--a
Drowned spiced gingerbread doll. she
smiled whimsically at the recollection
mother, in her white starched apron,
her loving fingers fashiOning deftly
currant eyes, while a fretful child lay
eagerly waiting There were no white
aproned, gingerbread women now,
Selma reflected sadly. Her world
knew only women of her own kind,
busy with various careers which
brought comforts. perhaps, but not the
old-time restfui enjoyment.
Selma was very tired, you see, so
her reflections may have been over
colored and morbid. But childishly,
unreasonably she longed tonight for
the atmosphere" of the gingerbread
doll. And to wish for anything was,
to Selma. the first step towards It's
attainment.
Some friend had written grandma"
who was really relative Of her own,
and Selma had almost forgotten.
Grandma's farm rested at the foot
of a hill, which IN summer was a
dream of beauty. Selma wondered
what it might be like In chill autumn.
The autobus, however, awaiting pos
sible passengers, seemed to settle her
difficulty, while a sense of exhilara-
ton crept into her being with the tang
of the sweet fresh air.
Twilight descended as she paid
the driver and walked swiftly up
tree-bordered path to the white door
of the farmhouse. A little girl, with
widely curious eyes, responded to her
summons.
Grandma Harvey was away from
home, she informed Selma; sick
neighbor had sent for her in hurry.
Grandma Harvey had telephoned, the
child added that she must not be
frightened il she was detained until
late hour.
"But--I am frightened" the little
girl said. II never stay alone, and |
want my supper.
$50 do l." laughed Selma, and
promptly deposited her bag in the
wide old hall.
"Who are you?" she asked the child.
"I'm Jane, from the city," the little
girl replied. "The doctor ordered me
to go into the country last spring, and
I've been with Grandma Harvey ever
since. She used to be my own dad
dies nurse"
"And there is no one else hereP'
Selma questioned.
mo one," answered Jane.
IT want-my supper" she repeated,
dolefully.
Grandma Harvey said she left some
sandwiches, but / don't want sand
wiches"
1--WE will set about getting supper
ut once" she said 5riskly; and soon
afterward the two ate merry meal.
"You came" Jane said gravely, lin
answer to my prayer. prayed: Dear
God, send some one quick and there
you were.
Selma bent alphabetically toward
the child, touched by the tremulous
note in her voice."
sDearie," she asked, "were you
longing fOr--yOur mOtherY
Jane shook her curly head.
ssNeyer had one" she said "She
went away when she left me in the
world. I'm sorry. Mothers are nice.
They visit with you when you're lone
ly, and make things for YOU"
81 know" Selina's smile was I'M
derstanding.
did you," she asked. "by any
chance, have a gingerbread doll?'
"Grandma Harvey makes ginger
bread from this" she said, excitedly.
'.Maybe after you'd baked it, you could
draw it out into doll"
So it happened that man, leaving
his car in the Ieaf-strewn driveway
and pausing to look through lighted
kitchen window, saw there in the lamp
light two interested heads bent over q
doughty mixture upon the table.
The fair, curly head belonged to
his own small daughter. but the fluffy
brown one, when raised presently to
examine an object in pan, proved 10
be that Of an attractive young wom-
an. His entrance was unnoticed UNI
til Jane, jumping up from banged
oven door cried
"Oh! daddy, I'd forgotten that tel
ephoned you to come out at once.
was terribly lonely then, you see, and
afraid. But the gingerbread lady
came and made it all right" Selma,
turning, flushed and pretty from her
baking, waved aside the mans polite
~ proffered hand:
anime are all fioury." she explained.
The city studio was forgotten, as the
leaves turned to scarlet In the beau
tiful hilly country.
James daddy, also, decided upon en-
Toying, with his small daughter, a post
poned vacation.
And Grandma Harvey, watching
from her CHEEKY kitchen, smilingiy
greeted her three guests at evening as
they returned from some tramping ex-
petition.
ITO think" said Salina one night,