LAURETTA LILAC.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 18, 30 April 1892, Page 461

LAURETTA LILAC.

The first time Leo saw Lauretta Lilac he hated her. He had always been Aunt Barbara’s baby himself, and he did not like to see some one else take his place. That is what he thought Lauretta was doing. Amy came to stay a week with Aunt Barbara, and, of course, she brought Lauretta Lilac with her. When she got out of the carriage at auntie’s door, she cried : * Oh, auntie, I’m ’fraid I’ll drop Lauretta 1’ ‘ I’ll take her, dearie. Now give me your hand.’ When Leo saw Aunt Barbara hold Lauretta close, and take Amy into her arms, and kiss and hug her too, he growled. But auntie did not notice Leo. She was so glad to see her dear little niece again. Amy had not been at Maplewood for a year. There were so many new things to see. Uncle Will had a new black horse ; and he had put up a larger swing, and a hammock on purpose for Amy's visit. The third day Amy grew tired of running about, and walked into the shaded room where Aunt Barbara sat sewing. * I think I’ll rock Lauretta a litAle,’ she said.

•You look hot and tired, pet. Come and sit in this little chair. Lauretta looks as if she needed care. Her frock is half torn of!.’ Amy drew down the corners of her mouth. ‘ Who did it ? It’s a new dress mamma made for her to travel in.’ • Let me bathe your hot face, dearie,’ said auntie, soothingly. • Never mind ! I’ll make her a new frock and a pretty hat and cloak. You shall choose the stull’ yourself.’ Comforted and refreshed, Amy watched the suit grow under auntie’s skilful fingers. Never was Lauretta so fine ! Some one else watched. Leo, beneath the window, felt a lump of wickedness getting bigger in his doggish heart, while he looked at Aunt Barbara, who cut and fitted and sewed, until Lauretta was dressed in such lovely fashion as Amy laughed to see. She bubbled over with gratitude, clasping auntie and Lauretta both. ‘ Oh, you dear, good auntie !’ It was too much. Leo made one dash at where Lauretta lay in all the glory’ of her new clothes, caught her in his mouth, and jumped out of the window. There were hasty cries and shouts. Amy sprang to the window ; wiser Aunt Barbara to the door to overtake Leo. ‘ Come back, Leo ! Come back, sir ! Bring her back !’ Leo rushed on. Through the meadow, across the road, and up the hill into the thicket. Aunt Barbara and Keziah snatched hats and ran after. Amy, sobbing, trotted far behind, but did her best to keep up with the excited procession.

But they did not catch Leo. They searched every field and bit of wood without finding Leo or Lauretta Lilac. Toward night Leo crept home without her, and got his supper in the kitchen. Keziah was too soft-hearted to refuse him ; but she could not make him bring back Lauretta. Neither coaxing nor punishment made him show where she w’as. He understood well enough. Whenever her name was mentioned, he seemed to know it, and dropped his head and walked out of the room.

L'ncle bought a new doll, and auntie invented all sorts of extra treats to make up for Leo’s naughtiness. So her visit was not as unhappy as Amy thought at that dreadful time she saw Lauretta disappear out of the window. The day that papa came to take Amy home Leo saw her bag packed, and her jacket and hat laid out. He heard Mike told to get the carriage ready, while they all ate a merry luncheon together. Then he disappeared. ‘ Come again soon dear ! Come again !’ said auntie. ‘ Tell mamma to bring you when the peaches are ripe,’ cried Uncle Will.

‘ Come, Amy,’ called papa. *We must catch this train !’ ‘Good-bye! Good-bye!’ cried Keziah from the kitchen window.

With loves and kisses and packages Amy was put into the carriage. Papa got in. Sleepy old Nell, who was switching off flies moved her legs slowly, when round the corner of the house dashed Leo. And in his mouth—

‘ Lauretta Lilac !’ they screamed. ‘Oh ! Oh ! It’s Lauretta Lilac !’

Yes, it was. Covered with earth, her pretty clothes spoiled, her hair tull of twigs, and with only one shoe. Leo climbed nj> and dropped her into the carriage window, wagging his tail, as if he had done a generous thing. Now whether he was glad to see the last of Amy, and wanted her to take Lauretta along with her, or whether he repented of his badness in burying the poor doll, he never told. But that is what he did.