Ben Pepper

en in two days, in order to be actually sure to be on hand in time for Christmas, which now was only a week away. "For suppose it shouldn't be there in time!" breathed Polly. At which the rest of t

Joel that she was only supposing that if they hadn't bought Grandpapa's present this very day what might hav

thought you'd better have the parcel sent to you," for he remembered just

y, "you shouldn't have done so. I'm

rsting into a laugh, "I guess changi

hey couldn't get a

rst, Joel hanging back to look at the things on

d, that's prime!" He cleared the steps with a

motion was about, the people pressing

quite willing to be led back by Ben. "There aren't any fi

p in town, and it was the children's per

oes, and craning her neck to look up the street where the grou

n," volunteered a man, who, having seen all he wan

t sight of the face. "Ben," she clutch

tely woman, to the sidewalk. They came close to the little Peppers, so that the stiff black silk coat, now plentifully bespri

!" Polly pu

en, pushing with their burden in

heir curiosity, rushed off to the delayed Christ

his blue eyes shone, "just thin

d Joel, decidedly,

ng in to see." He hurried after just as the me

d one of them, wiping his forehea

of the wagon, I seen her

proprietor ran to the telephone. "I would thank you to call my carriage," said the old lady, the eyes in the white face flying open. The two men who had

s closing again, when Polly knelt down by her side, and forgetting how scared she had been by that face the last time she saw it, s

le, where she lay on the floor of the druggist's shop; the Roma

Polly's face; but "lift me up, and

e proprietor just as the doctor, a dapper little man

e Polly help her to that position. "And see here, boy," she glanced around for Ben, "I'd thank you to give me a hand," and disdainin

to a coachman driving a spirited pair of bays down the street, anxiety written

achman turned when down at the corner, driving slowly back to sc

d lady, "and I told Carson to wait there, when the wago

t?" the young physician pushed up. "Such a

own physician when I reach home. That's right, girl, help me to my carriage," and clinging to Polly's hand she went down the drug-shop steps, Carson e

it as she got into the carriage with Polly's and Ben'

color dying from her cheek, and loo

ne. Then she drew her breath hard. "Your name, gir

h a glad little smile

the la

and the three others crowded up to the car

king them all over, but her g

out with a very red face, and wishi

the old woman, without the sl

announced Phronsie, pressing up closely, "and I've bought

eside himself with delight that she was safely inside, went off at hi

e now," with a sigh of relief. "We mu

ttle and big, for the children insisted on carrying everything home, that Polly and Ben h

he little group hurried along to get home to Mamsie, knocking into everybody and being knocked about in return by big

had been hilariously told by the whole bunch, all except Phronsie, who had been too sleepy to more than mumble to Mamsie her purchase of the little cat, before she hid it in the under drawer of the big mahogan

ust comfortable unless she could tell Doctor Fisher everyt

id Mother Fisher, yet she looked worrie

e, yet his eyes gleamed with delight. "Just what I said," he was revolving i

little start

," when the door opened and the little doctor marched in, h

er," and without a bit of warning he went up to Polly's and Ben's ch

he happiest sort of a tale to unfold when the proper time came, nodded over to his wife.

pen sick?" asked the o

street," the little docto

e could go under the table, while old Mr. King started a rapid fire of questions. Little Doctor Fisher, skipping into

ed Mr. King, in a puzzled way, as he was never able to tak

hat before long everybody at the table had joined, until any one looking in would have said, "

at last, "but you are enough, Fisher, to start us off always. Now b

atever her name is, wasn't so very much

d Polly, her cheeks very red, and clapping

chair, his black eyes shining. But at the next remar

the old lady up; but it's my children." Then he set his glasses straight, w

tired one, as it rested on his lap

f a stone gate-post breaking out-says our children helped her, and s

wing deeply, till his f

h about them. Wants them

holly disappeared, slid

hurrying over, Joel was soon drawn out and installed once

ut so suddenly, that Joel blurted out, dreadfully distressed, "I didn't m

ll forgive him this time, Mary, for Mrs. Van Ruypen sent her l

to control, "I was bad to her," and ever

ttle doctor, demurely; "anyway you are to go with t