THE AUTUMN FAIRIES' BALL

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 108, 9 May 1931, Page 18

THE AUTUMN FAIRIES' BALL

I WISH I could see the1 autumn , fairies," sighed Betty, as she slid from the cosy nook formed by a beautiful willow tree, "for I'm sure the fairies live here." Indeed, Betty's home was a beautiful place at present, ' the wonderful autumn .trees making it look like a paradise. "For instance," • she continued, "look at those clouds, and tlie way they're scuttling across the sky. I'm sure the fairies must be having a ball." Betty .was just- going into the house when a tiny littlo voice attracted her attention. "Betty, Betty," it called, '.'l,have orders, to bring you along to the ball to-night. Hurry up." The voice was getting impatient now. . "Yes, come,-do!" was-called from all sides, and Betty was surrounded by a throng of eager fairies. Fairies — yes, hundreds of them! Beautiful creatures with all tho autumn colours imaginable in their dresses, while they flitted up and down, not still for a minute. "But I can't fly," Betty protested. "Yes, you can," she was told. "Come, come," tinkled a voice, "we must not keep the princess waiting." '' No! jSTo !'' cried the fairies. Betty was lifted high above the earth, and as she soared through the air she grew smaller and smaller till she was only as tall as tho fairies. ; When they wore halfway to Fairyland, the fairies whispered: "Our Princess is being crowned Queen to-night, and we all havo presents for -her; but we heard her say one day, 'I wish I had a thing to tell tho time, a thing that the humans call a watch.' But we cannot find it for her, and listen," the fairies' voices droped lower, "the one who brings it to her is to be chief autumn fairy for all this season." At last a beautiful palace appeared in sight, but at first. Betty did not sco it, for she was thinking deeply. Betty's father was a rich man, and she had a gold watch. Would she part with if? She wondered. Then on second thoughts, she made up her mind. After all, father would buy her another one, and it

would be nice to' give this Princess Fairiel a gift that would please her. Then Betty heard the tinkling, oi 1 beautiful bells, aad saw the palace. Inside it was ' mor'o ■ wonderful still. Autumn leaves decorated the rooms, branches laden with fruit, autumn berries, and flowers. It was truly a ■wonderful ball. Then right at tho1 end was the throne made o.f autumn mosses, and two beautiful Nikau palm leaves, held by some of Fairiel's elves, touched over it. • ' The fairies were in a great state of excitement when a fat elf announced that 'the princes 3 was coming. Princess Fairiel came with her band-of fairies following, then the Prime Minister, and lastly the Archbishop of Fairyland. The crown was made of bits of rainbow with the earliest morning dewdrops sot into it, while tho reflections of all exquisite things danced , unceasingly. When the coronation ; was over, the Prime Minister .called in- a loud voice to everybody in turn to como and pay their, respects to Queen Faiviel and. give her tho presents. . ■ Betty's turn came last, but when Fairiel received her gift she was so overjoyed that for a few (minutes she could not'request Betty to be the chief autumn fairy. But the latter was a wise girl, and knew she must return to her father and mother, so politely refused.'- The Queen quite agreed with Betty when she explained, so asked Betty what she would like instead. "I would like to be ablo to .visit Fairyland whenever I wish, and to see and-hear as fairies see and hear." "Most certainly," said Fairiel. "Here is power to enable you' to do those things." Saying these words, the Queen gave Betty a ring. Dancing and feasting then took place, till the fairies in Betty's garden said it was time to go. As Betty reached earth again she looked at her ring and said: "I always knew there were fairies in our garden,'' but there was no answer, for the fairies were asleep. • SUNSET (10). Cartorton.