"'To-day,' replied Maud, then added, 'but if I had only known the way, I would have been here long ago. I am so sorry that I must soon leave.' "'Where are you going?' another doll shyly inquired. "'Going home,' replied Maud, with a deep sigh. "All the little beauties looked up into her face as if greatly bewildered. "'What does she mean?' asked one of the dolls of her companions. 'What is home?' And it arose on tip-toes to look into her face. "'My home,' replied little Maud, 'is down in Harpers Ferry on the Shenandoah River.' "'River!' a doll repeated. 'Harpers Ferry!' And it turned a bewildered look upon the rest of the assembled dolls standing in questioning silence before her. "Maud soon realized that the dolls failed to understand her, and, wishing to make herself understood, she gazed wistfully over the gathering of bright faces, as she said: "'I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world.' "Before she could finish what she wished to say, however, one little doll way back in the multitude spoke up, saying: "'World, did she say? Why, I have often heard Santa Claus speak of that place.' "All the dolls turned their attention from Maud to the little speaker. They assisted their little companion up on to the bottom of an inverted tin sand pail that she might be seen as well as heard; when with a bashful bow, she said: "'The world, playmates, is the place where mothers die and leave their little children all alone.' "With a leap from the sand pail, the little speaker disappeared in the assemblage of dolls. Instantly all turned to Maud with an inquiring look. There was an expression of doubt upon their little faces and they were now more than anxious for her to speak. "'Yes,' she replied, 'alas! That is only too true.' "And she breathed a sorrowful sigh as she thought of her mamma who had been dead for two long years, and of how she had nestled close in her loving arms waiting for Santa Claus to come, only three nights before she passed away. "She glanced into the sad face of her orphan brother standing near, and down in her little heart there came a sad longing for the sound of that sweet mother's gentle voice, with its tender words of love and nightly prayer. "Again the happy days, now gone forever, came back to her childish memory; and the soft song of her mother stole into her soul with a charming lullaby. Again she felt the warm, fervent kiss on her cheek, as in fancy she heard her mother whisper a last 'Good night.' "A sob burst from her sweet lips. A tear rose to her eye and stood trembling upon the long black lashes. Another followed and crowded it from its place to the ground. "The Queen drew back horror-struck, for the Heaven-forbidden drop of water had at last fallen upon Beauty Valley.