rops
splashed down her cheeks as she heard the decision and fled to her
room. "O, dear! O, dear!" she said, "I don't see why it had to be
Friday. Why didn't Aunt Elizabeth wait just one more day?" Something
poor Aunt Elizabeth would have been ready enough to do if possible. It
did seem to Edna as if she could not stand it, and she went down to
supper with very red eyes. Louis tried to comfort her and promised to
play buttons with her that evening, a specially favorite amusement of
the little girl when Aunt Elizabeth allowed her button bag to be used,
and all sorts of plays were invented by using the buttons. But even
this prospect had lost its charm. "I wish I were a man," exclaimed
Louis, suddenly, "I'd take you."

Uncle Justus looked up quizzically. "No, you wouldn't, my young sir,"
he replied; "for I expect to give myself the pleasure of taking Edna
to the fair this evening."

Down went Edna's knife and fork, and, in defiance of all the set rules
of the house, she jumped up from her seat and actually hugged Uncle
Justus. She probably would not have done so if Aunt Elizabeth had been
present, but that restraining presence removed, the children both felt
a little less timid.

It did not take Edna long to get ready, and such a rosy, beaming face
as appeared at the door of the sitting-room must have given Uncle
Justus a feeling of satisfaction that he had sacrificed his comfort
for that one evening, for the old gentleman did not at all enjoy going
to fairs, and would have preferred to spend the evening over his
papers and magazines at his own fireside.

The fair rooms truly did present a dazzling scene to the little girl,
and she was enjoying it all hugely when her uncle declared himself
tired and told her to run about a little while and come back to him
when she had seen everything.

She had not gone farther than the second booth when her attention was
caught by a beautiful large doll which bore a card saying that to the
little girl who should receive the largest number of votes would the
doll be given.

"What do you think of it?" asked some one, as the child stood absorbed
in gazing at the lovely creature before her. Edna looked up; at her
side stood the minister of the church to which she went every Sunday
with her aunt and uncle.

"I think it is perfectly lovely; but what does that mean?" exclaimed
she.

"What, the card? It means that a wealthy gentleman bought the doll,
and, having no little girl of his