THE PRIZE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 114, 16 May 1931, Page 18

THE PRIZE

PAULINE MASTEES sauntered slowly along tho narrow, pretty path, winding its way through

a high avonuo of trees, growing ever donser as they neared the heart of the bush., Stray beams of sunlight played on the lacy leaves of ferns aicstling close against tho gnarled trunks of forest giants.

But Paulino was oblivious to her surTOundings. She walked on with her head lowered in thought, and a tiny frown creasing her smooth forehead. Suddenly a light footstep mado her turn, and there sho saw a tall, dark girl looking at her through a growth of fern and creeper which slio had parted. . "Why, Shirley!" Paulino, exclaimed. "I thought you were at your music lesson, and wouldn't be out till later."

"t shouldn't have been, cither," Shirley Barton explained, "but my teacher was called away suddenly, and I was let off my lesson. Don't you think I'm lucky?" "Well, yes," said Pauline reluctantly, for she had never had a chance.tp learn music, and was very fond of it.

"Your mother told me you had come here, so that's why I found you so easily," ' Shirley said. "But why the dejected and thoughtful look? I hope there is nothing wrong?" "Oh, no, everything is quita all right," said Pauline, "but I was trying to think of something to put in an essay. I've decided to enter for the prizo for the e3say on Autumn. You see, I'd like the money to buy a present for Miss Turner, now that she is getting married, and you're all giving her presents." ;

Pauline's parents were not wealthy, as were her school mates, for she had entered the school by winning a scholarship. She rarely said anything about money, except to her chum, Shirley. The girls walked farther into tho bush, and reached a little clearing, where they sat on a fallen tree-trunk beside a stream.

Then Shirley said: "IWsorry I can't help you, Pauline, for you know I'm not a scrap good at essays. But why

itojg*^ DEAE ONES: VW^HSP% All amongst the falling leaves this week, 'cos fjtrf<£ij3^*«'S> so many Grown-Ups (dignified word!) have said: iWtjf^Ptifc "Autumn? Good gracious, we haven't had any IOTR^uJjY autumn!' There's been nothing but winter since IH^. vtj. last year!" So I thought it just as well to shake jjlfc . 'jfej^k awaY t^e golden leaves and hurry on to our M^ fcs[W Birthday Page. Only , •'. . Autumn came to the H tjv Fairy Ring even if shut-eye Grown-Ups missed her; and you and I and all of us loved her coming. \ You coloured her picture and adorned her garden beautifully . . . tremendously hard it is now to find the best-of-all paintings among so many. But I've decided . i. . and here tJiey are, the carcfullest artists:— "EOYAL STAR -....(13) / "CHUBBY" ...;. (9) L "NGAIEE.NYMPH" ...... (6) And if any of you want your pictures for i^ your scrapbooks, pop along a penny stamp and '. I'll send them back. Birthday Page is only a £v "W fortnight away, so I'll be asking for those scrap- sf »^ books 'most any time now-p-next week at the \^.fet latest. So ... hurry! Happy holiday. times to you, every little '<tt'£ar<Sj*&2!i pixie. l t^9*%jsS™%fP FAIKIEL

not write about this place wo are- in now? It'H all in autumn colours and it is very pretty." And, indeed, it was. Tall rod jbirches grew around, rearing their lofty trunks against the sky, whilo dolicato green creepers clung to the lower trunks and interlaced, forming an intricate pattern of dainty leaves. Numerous ferns gr,e\v close to the feet of the trees and intermingled with tho stems of creepers. The birches wore clothed in autumn's glowing ■ colours, ;and made ideal substance for an essay.

"You go on writing, Pauline," said Shirley, "and I'll go for a ramble- further into tho bush. Maybe I'll iiiid a rare botanical specimen that will bring mo up in tho eyes'of .our botany mistress." '■■-.'

Well sho knew thai it would be only an. idle ramble, with jio intention of seeking for any botanical specimens, but she said this in an effort to cheer Pauline. .

After an hour or so, she rejoined Pauline, who was still busily writing, but contented arid happy. "There, I've finished," she said. "And now I've got to hope for the best. Thank goodness there's only a few days to wait."

"Well, I wish you lue-k, at any rate," said Shirley, "and I hope you win the

prize." . . Friday came, and when all the girls were assembled in tlie hall oi; the school, the headmistress spoke. '/There have been several entries for the essay prize, and all of them well done, but one girl has excelled the others. That girl is Pauline Masters, and I wish to congratulate her on writing such a fine essay. Come here, Pauline, while I give you the prize," she added.

A blushing but pleased Pauline approached the headmistress and received tho prize. There was clapping and congratulations galore; but all Pauline wanted was the prize, for now she could buy a present with all the other girls, and not feel as if she had been mean. "MARGOT" (16). Carterton.