Page images
PDF
EPUB
[graphic][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][subsumed]
[graphic][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed]

very bad countenance, watching me as I pass the windows. call and leave a scripture brick. It may do him good.

Shall mocked at me. Since then I have sworn, though she has escaped
me, to avenge myself by sacrificing the life of the first doll I could
entice into my power.
You are that doll. You must die!
"I am quite prepared," I told him-"do your worst!" which
seemed to confuse him very much. "I will," he said, "presently
-presently; there is no hurry. You see," he explained, in a tone
almost of apology, "in endeavouring to save her life (it was my
last good action) I got my head smashed, and received the substi-
tute I now wear, which, as you will observe, is that of an unmiti-
gated villain. And it's no use having a head like that if you
don't live up to it is it, now? So as I think I observed
before-prepare for the worst! 'Don't talk about it any
more-do it!" I said, and I breathed JOSEPH's name softly. But
the Wicked Doll did nothing at all. I began to feel safer-it
was so obvious
that he hadn't
the faintest no-
tion what to do.
'She treated me
abominably," he
said, feebly;
"any doll would
have been
noyed at the
heartless way in
which GLORIANA

October 16.--Have called... Never heard worse language from the lips of any doll! Came across my old admirer, the Ball, who is better, though still what I have heard the nursery governess describe as an "oblate spheroid." Of course he did not recognise me. December.-Have seen a good deal of the Doll with the worldly moustache lately. From certain symptoms, do not despair of reforming him-ultimately. He seems softening. Yesterday he told me he did not think he should live long. Yet he has a splendid constitution-the best porcelain. He is dreadfully cynical, seems so reckless about everything. If I could only reclaim him for JOSEPH's sake! This afternoon I saw the yellow stand which the Wooden Captain used to occupywhat memories it recalled, ah me! Can he have disgraced himself and been "broke"? And am I responsible? Christmas Eve. -Am sitting in my corner, my cockroach curled comfortably at my feet, when the Walking Postman comes up with a letter -for me! It is from the Wicked Doll! He is very ill, dying, he thinks, and wishes to see me. How well I remember that other message which JOSEPH-but JOSEPH is taken, and the Ball still bounds! Well, I will go. It will be something to tell my Diary. Christmas Day.-Something indeed! How shall I begin my wondrous incredible tale? I reached the Doll's House, which looked gloomier and more deserted than ever, with the sullen glow of the dying fire reflected redly in its windows. The green door stood open-I went in. Ha, ha! trapped!" cried a sneering voice behind me. It was the Wicked Doll his letter was a ruse -he was as well as I was-and I-I was shut up there in that lonely house, entirely at his mercy!... It was a frightful position for any doll to be placed in; and yet, looking back on it now, I don't think I minded it so very much. "Listen!" he said, in response to my agonised entreaties. 'Long, long ago, when I was young and innocent, a beautiful, but heartless being bewitched me, kid and bran! I told my love-she

[graphic]
[graphic]

66

*

*

66

*

*

*

*

66

[ocr errors]

an

I could contain my feelings no longer.

"JOSEPH!" I gasped (I had lost all fear of him), "you ridiculous old goose, don't you know me? I am GLO

66

RIANA, and I have found you at last!" And, with that, I flung myself into his arms, and told him everything. I think he was more relieved than anything. "So you are GLORIANA!" he said. It's dreadfully bewildering; but, to tell you the honest truth, I can't keep up this villainy business any longer. I haven't been brought up to it, and I don't understand how it's done. So I tell you what we'll do. If you 'll leave off living up to your new head, I won't try to live up to mine!" And so we settled it.

Postscript. December 31.-We are to be married to-morrow. The Dutch Doll is to be my bridesmaid, and the Wooden Captain (who was only away on sick leave, after all) is coming up to be best man. I have seen the poor old Ball, and told him there will always be a corner for him in our new home. I am very very happy. To think that JOSEPH should still care for his poor GLORIANA, altered and homely as her once lovely features have now become. But JOSEPH (who is leaning over my shoulder_and reading every word I write) stops me here to assure me that I am lovelier than ever in his eyes. And really-I don't know-perhaps I am. And in other persons' eyes too, if it comes to that. I certainly don't intend to give up society just because I happen to be married!

[graphic][subsumed]
« PreviousContinue »