Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1920-01-16
GINGER BREAD DOLL
BY MILDRED WHITE.

ache. and it seemed that there was no
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 whlmslcally 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 restful enjoyment.
Selma was very tired, you see, so
her reflections may have been over
colored and morbid. But childlshly,
unreasOnably she longed tonight for
the atmosphere" of the gingerbread
doll. And to wish for anything was,
to Selma, the first step towards Its
attainment.
Some friend had written grandma"
who was really relative of her own.
and Selma had almost forgotten.
GranGmas farm rested at the foot
of a HILL which in summer was a
dream of beauty. Selma wondered
what 1t 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 a
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 a hurry.
Grandma Harvey had telephoned, the
child added, that she must not be
a late hour.
Butt am frightened" the little
girl said. 81 never stay alone, and
want my supper"
80 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 heref'
Selma questioned.
'No one" answered Jane.
II want-my supper" she repeated,
dolefully.
Grandma Harvey said she left some
sandwiches, but l don't want sand
wiches."
"We will set about getting supper
at once" she said briskly; and soon
afterward the two ate merry meal.
You came" Jane said gravely, sin
/ answer to my prayer. l prayed: Dear
God, send some one quick and there
you were"
Selma bent sympathetically toward
the child. touched by the tremulous
! note In her voice"
"Dearie," she asked, "were you
longing for-your motherY
Jane shook her curly head.
hoH Sb HCbo
went away when she left me in the
/ world. Pm sorry. Mothers are nice.
They visit with you when you're lone
ly, and make things for you"
81 know" Selnas smile was I'M
Outstanding.
did you." she asked, "by any
chance, have gingerbread doll?"
Grandma Harvey makes ginger
/ bread from this" she said, excitedly.
maybe after you'd baked it, you could
/ draw 1t out into a doll !"
So it happened that man, leaving
/ his car in the leaf-strewn driveway
| and pausing to look through lighted
! kitchen window, saw there in the lamp
/ light two interested heads bent over a
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 to
be that of an attractive young wom-
an. His entrance was unnoticed I'M
til Jane jumping up from a banged
oven door, cried:
ooh 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 ana pretty from her
baking, waved aside the mans polite
ly proifered hand.
"Alne are all fiOury,' She explained
The city studio was forgotten, as the
leaves turned to scarlet in the beau
tiful billy country.
James daddy, also, decided upon en-,
ioying. With his small daughter, a post
DOupd Vac1fiUn