XVI. "TAPS" 262





THE LITTLE COLONEL'S HERO

(Trade Mark)




CHAPTER I.

HER TWELFTH BIRTHDAY


"Oh, Tarbaby! _Everybody_ has forgotten that it is my birthday! Even Papa
Jack has gone off to town without saying a word about it, and he nevah did
such a thing befo' in all his life!"

As she spoke, the Little Colonel put her arm around her pony's neck, and
for a moment her fair little head was pressed disconsolately against its
velvety black mane.

"It isn't the presents I care about," she whispered, choking back a
heart-broken sob; "but oh, Tarbaby, it's the bein' forgotten! Of co'se
mothah couldn't be expected to remembah, she's been so ill. But I think
grandfathah might, or Mom Beck, or _somebody_. If there'd only been one