The Story of a China Cat

sh toes. Some even got in his plush mouth that he opened when he gave his gro

elf in darkness when the hole into which Arthur had placed him

move about, pretending to come to life, he soon found that it was not

self, not opening his mouth to say anything this

could hardly move. Even though the spring inside him was wound up, the Plush Bear coul

ay in this sand hole too long I'll smother! I wonder why Arthur

, was also having a ride. For the time being the children had forgotten about their toys. Netti

beach ponies. But at last Mrs. Rowe decided that Nettie and Arthu

must dress for dinner," she said. "Where is you

the sand," answered N

us cage, where I was playing he was a wild Bear!" cried A

out as soon as you c

playing on the sand before they took the pony rides

e beach. "I made a hole here, right by Nettie's Doll, and I put sticks in t

e, as she, too, looked searchingly up and down t

here," declare

se she did not know that the pony had scattered th

ped him look. So did other children, wandering up and down the beach, but there was no sign of the toy. Then a co

he guard, as he came down the step

Bear," sa

he guard, in surp

ar," explained Mrs. Rowe, and t

nd. I didn't see the Plush Bear, but I know the children were digging, and it wasn't at this spot-it was nearer the ocean. Over here it was," the guard went on, moving away from the place where Arthur had been sure he had made the

digging, and in a little whil

is toy again. "Oh, thank you for finding him for me!" and

red the Plush Bear to himself, as once more he was able to

to have one even worse,

," said his mother, as, having thanked the man

a sand hole again," pro

r beds, and the Plush Bear and the Rag Doll were in

terrible,

is. Sand is all over me, even though Arthur did brush me off with a

e and the Plush Bear talked together in the darkness, but the Bear did not f

cried Arthur the next morning, as he took his

ed the Plush Bear to himself

at live in the woods, are very fond of playing in the water. But,

ts. All along the beach were many other children and grown folk, too, in th

take your toy into the water with

lay with him on the sand till Daddy comes to teach me to

Plush Bear, who heard all that was said.

m, and while waiting for Daddy, Arthur played about on the s

e out a little way into the water, and he would laugh, and run

him. "The waves are getting higher and higher. I wish y

. "My Plush Bear likes me to carry him ou

had gone back to sit with her mother and, for a moment, Arthur was

ng his toy up above the waves. And just then a bigger wave than a

cream, and his father, who had just arrived in his bathing suit, ran to get hi

washed back into the ocean, it took Mr. Bruin with it. Right o

ng to happen to me now?" t