AVRIL’S LUCKY DAY

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 34, 3 November 1934, Page 23

AVRIL’S LUCKY DAY

CRACKERS FOR GUY FAWKES DAY. Avril gazed longingly into a, Windowfilled with many coloured crackers, and sighed. It was November the fourth, and to-morrow would be. Guy Fawkes Day; she longed to possess some of those crackers, like the other children, but knew that her parents could not afford them. However, as she was not a grumbler, she made her way homeward. As she was passing the river, which was in flood, and boiled On its way, she heard a child’s cry for “help-” Heedless of her own danger, she threw off her cardigan and kicked off her shoes; then plunged head first into the river, just in time to see the child rise and sink. She fought her way desperately to the place where the child had sunk, and dived down —down— until her groping fingers clutched clothes; and then she struggled .to the surface. In one hand she held the child, and bravely tried to reach the shore with the other- It whs impossible, and it seemed that two lives would be lost instead of one. She tried to cry for help, but her voice came weakly. Her, head grew dizzy, a blurriness swam, before her eyes—then suddenly, the current, and a crested wave, swept her to the bank; she caught-hold of the twig of a tree, and hung on, utterly exhausted ; and she knew no more. She . awoke to find herself in spacious room, and a beautiful-woman, whom Avril knew very .well by sight, bending over her. ‘‘My brave, brave girl,” cried the woman in a choked voice. “You have saved my Justine from drowning. What can I do for a reward, dear?” “Oh, please don’t!” replied Avril in embarrassment. “I don't want any reward; I only did what anyone else would have done. But mother —she will be anxious for me.” “I have been to see your mother, and, she quite agrees to your staying the night here. I hope you do, dear.” “Why, of course, I’d love to, Mrs. Dennison. Thank you ever so mitch,"’ cried Avril happily. By the morning Avril was quite well again, and also was Justine. They had not even caught chills, although they had rather a shock, and would be in bed for a few days. After ■ breakfast Mrs. Dennison, took Avril home In the car, and thanked her most heartily. An unexpected regard, however, came while she and her mother were washing the dishes that afternoon. A knock sounded, and on the doorstep stood James the postman with two large cardboard boxes addressed to Avril. She opened the first with shaking fingers, and drew out a card with these words, written In bold writing: “To brave Avril, for bravery deserved.” It was packed with fireworks, and a guy. ' The other contained cakes, sweets: a feast fit for a king. Avril had got what .she wanted for her mother, and alsojhat Which she wanted for herself. Her dreams had come true. Original, by “Nonnie the Gnome”, aged 12, Napier.