t
their eyes, and wonderful mechanical toys which walked and turned
somersaults, monkeys which climbed poles and other equally incredible
things.

"He air a funny man, an' he tells funny stories," giggled the child,
when Donald had exhausted his memory and imagination. "In course thar
hain't no sech things."

"Indeed thar _air_, ef he says thar air," chided Rose with implicit
faith in her friend.

"What, doll babies thet open an' shet thar eyes, an' say 'maw' an' 'paw'
like weuns, Smiles?" asked the baby, unconvinced.

"Wait until I go back home, and I'll send you one that can do every one
of those wonderful things," laughed Donald. "I mean to send Rose a
present, too."

"Oh," cried the latter, "I shall be more'n obleeged ter ye."

"What would you like best," he asked.

She thought seriously a moment, then said, "I reckon I should like best
a white dress an' cap, like the nurses wear."

Donald experienced a pang of regret, but responded lightly, "Very well,
that shall be yours, and I'm also going to send you a little book of
poems called 'The Child's Garden of Verses', written by another man who
looked on babies as flowers, too."

At this moment the sound of quick footsteps caused them to look up. Judd
Amos was coming around the side of the cottage, and the night had
apparently not taken the black look from his countenance.

"Oh, Juddy," cried the baby, wriggling free of Donald's arms. "Thet man
thar air er goin' ter send me er doll baby thet opens an' shets hits
eyes, Juddy."

"We're obleeged ter ye; but I reckon thet I kin buy Lou all the presents
she needs," said Judd gruffly. "Yo' maw wants ye ter come ter breakfast,
sis," he added, and picked the baby up in his long arms, giving her an
undoubtedly affectionate hug as he saw that the tears had sprung to her
eyes.

"That's nonsense," snorted Donald angrily, as Judd disappeared with his
burden. "I'll send the doll to you--along with the dress and book--and
he can't stop _you_ from giving it to her."

"I reckon he _kaint_," Rose responded with eyes flashing. "I kin make
Judd Amos do jest whatsoever I tells him." And Donald thought that she
probably spoke the truth.

"Haint we a-goin' ter hev no breakfast this mornin'?" came Big Jerry's
deep voice, toned to assumed anger, as he appeared with an armful of
wood, and, laughing merrily, Rose blew him a kiss and disappeared
within-doors.

During the morning meal, which was quickly prepared, the girl talk