ONE OF THE PRIZEWINNERS.

Auckland Star, Volume 246, Issue 246, 16 October 1926, Page 25

ONE OF THE PRIZEWINNERS.

(Catherine Wells, East Coast Road, .Milford, Takapuna, aged 10 years.)

The muslin curtains hanging before the half-opened casement stirred lightly in the gentle breeze. Inside on the whitedraped bed a sleeper moved faintly and opened her eyes. it was dawn—the commencement of a new day—for her the most wonderful in her life. Only last evening had she been informed that no longer would she be a cripple; that one day she would be able to run—to move about as she had always prayed. She could see in the pale gray light the bowl of early cream rosebuds, whose fragrance pervaded the whole room. She thought of the gardens at home, of stocks in bloom, rainbow hued; (at this moment their aromatic branches would be drooping, dew-laden). Pale sweet primroses, stately gladiolas; one day she would be able to tend them as she had always wished, She would be able to explore those bush tracks that had been barred to her. Oh! the hundred and one things she thought of, lying there watching, through the window the pine trees showing black against the hazy gray-blue sky. In the distance above the mountaintops a solitary star gleamed. "A shining pearl in a silvery sea," Bhe whispered. "However will I be able to thank God for this gift he has given mc!" she thought. A bird outside in the bushes commenced to sing. Its anthem was echoed from tree to tree and soon the place resounded with the songs of the hidden choir. A deep feeling of peace stole pver the girl in the room and she murmured a little prayer. An hour later a nurse coming softly into the room found her patient quietly sleeping with a tender little smile on her lips.