GOOD-NIGHT STORIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 150, 28 June 1927, Page 11

GOOD-NIGHT STORIES.

DORIS MEETS A GAY LITTLE WARBLER. Told by BLANCHE SILVEB ief "FETEB PA.V") When Doris stepped down into the garden she was startled by a cloud of vellow sailing awav from the marigold bed.

"Well, of all things:" she mused. "If I didn't know I was awake Id think I was dreaming. Why, that clond of yellow looked for all the world as if the wind had taken the petals of those yellow flowers and sailed them through the air. Goodness, how stupid of me to make so much noise and frighten thrni away."

"How stupid of them to be frightened." chirped a merry voice, and there tilted on a jrolden marigold blossom Doris spied a dear little bird. He iras just a wee bit smaller than Mr. English Sparrow. He was dressed in the brightest of yellow, with the tip of his crown, his wings and tail all a lovely, glossy black, lined with white H» tilted hi* pretty little bead to one sido and nodded to Doris. "You see, I know wbo yon are, so you didn't frighten me awav."

Tm so glad." mused Doris, comingcloser to the marigold blossom and its visitor. "1 wouldn't harm you for the world. But even if you do know me, I don't believe I know you. Yet you do look something like my pet canary. Are yon a canary!"

"So. Doris, dear.*' chuckled the golden bird merrily. Tm Mr. Goldfinch. I think the reason yon didn't recognise me was because all winter Pre sailed alongside the roadsides and gardens in a more sombre suit of feathers. This is my summer suit I have on now. The last time I'sang just outside your window I was dressed tn a son of an olive shade. That was my winter suit, you know. Sow, Tm ail dressed up and readv to make a home for nv mate."

"Oh, Mr. Goldfinch, I do hope you'll build around here some plat . ..d Doris. 1 adore tout cheery songs, and I love the flash of golden colour you make as yon sail through my garden. Just build anywhere around here and help yourself to anv of nv flower*."

1 knew you'd say that, Doris,"' cbcckled lir. Goldfin.-li. "-o I've atrcadr made my and my uife is very busy setting on her first nestful of ecgs. Come on over and meet her. She is a dear." Mr. Goldfinch neariy split his lovely yellow throat singing his good mate's praises.

He flew to the lilac bush and Doris followed him. Sure enough, there in the crotob of the bush she spied the dearest little cuplike nest of fine grasses and moss all lined with thistle fluff. Mrs. Goldfinch, who was dressed in more of a brownu'S olive shade than her husband, greeted Doris with a merry chirp and let her peek under her yellowishwhite breast feathers at the three dear little eggs.

"It won't be long now until Daddy Goldfinch will have his hands full teach;ne the youngsters how to fly," chirped Mrs. Goldfinch. Then you must visit us and see the fun."

"Indeed, m watch for your babies, all right," replied Doris. "And FU see that no harm comes to them. Just star as lone as you like and cat all the seeds von want."

Mr. and Mrs. Goldfinch thanked Doris and asked here to come and seen them as often as she liked. Doris promised. she would, and. bidding them pood-by, she ran off through the garden in search of a new adventure.