CLEMATIS STARS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 82, 3 October 1931, Page 18

CLEMATIS STARS

long flaxen tresses which shrouded her sweet iace like «;rsil^efe;veil. Yet she lost no,beanty through the fact that she wore a hideous brown frock. , On the wedding day this little fairy, as she sat swinging- her legs, idly dreaming of the kingdom she loved, was startled out of her. reverie by the. squeaky voicesof two gnomes./ As they talked, her face paled with horror, her, eyes dilated with-fear at what she beard. .'..,. ■■■ •'/ ," '■ Grumbledon, king of the gnomes, who loved the beautiful princess, was plotting - with his brother: to kill Prince Eewa as the wedding chariot passed, capture the princess, and force her. to marry him. After they had gone, Fairy Clematis moaned-aloud at her helplessness to do anything. . There was. no time tt> run to ■ the palace to warn the queen and lead the rescuers'to help the bridal party; ; for in a few minutes the chariot would, arrive^-rall would be lost. Her brain working feverishly, she

could think of no, plan. The minutes passed quickly.away until at last, with sinking heart, the guardian Clematis heard the rumble of the carriage wheels drawing nearer and nearer at an alarming pace, and, looking down, the poor little fay saw the wicked gnomes rustling through the grass, bows and arrowa in their handSj smug grins of satisfaction on their leering faces. Suddenly her mind hit upon a plan. Whispering excitedly to her plant, she seated herself on alow branch to watch. Prancing gaily along, the white-maned horses drew nearer to; the-place of ambush, while the prince in'his gorgeous suit, "the princess in her bridal veil, took no notice of anything but themselves.1 ' ' "■' ■'/■•• ' '" :' '. Immediately the' chariqt came into view the two gnomes sprang forward, their arrows^held ready pointing to the heart of the, gallant prince, who, seeing his danger, prepared to'defehd his princess and himself. But those ill-fated

"Bllv«rshtcf," N«l----son.—But John was. just horrid. I think ;we»il- omit ■ htm. ■ . . "6ll*»r. HUM." K»l----•tirh. — Was that Mickey and Minnie,. or two Mist Mlctt "Princess OalMII," Ntwtew*.—l. made sure to be In, on that day. "C»rf»ll«," Karvrl A splendid "Think • Twice." You've worked them out well. "Jack Sprat" City— I'm afraid only the boya would ■, cumi thoee. Jack."Eva," Mutt oty^- ; H»'» growing up! Does be f»U oter a lot? "B#artl»r," Ntwtowa. -r-But it'« not nearly ' > no bad aa the' denj tlst's, ehlck. "Ell Maile," New Uwn. — Writs, it -again, "dear I'm not . sura of one word. . . "TB»a»y U»»." Hattl. ;■ tet—Tbafa right. Beautiful. A • draw- ' ' Ing-book la best. "BfZmtHy," Nt«*». i -^-What fuiil Did yon go-In the. Magic , Cavol1 ' ■ '. •T»#te," BtrhamM". '•■t-ißiit-- I think'.'lt's just ioollsh folk in Houses who get 'flu. "Bull* K«W. R -Ntl; , those too. I Uko adVentureonea/ Dtrl* miirt. HIM- " ii«r.—rToure still Unlucky, child. Think of a few mote. Hutt—A wlseJooklng! old wiiard,. I hope he's a kind one.

I gnomes—why do they not look abovet .. . Ah! it is tod late» The long sinewy arms of the clematis plant are around their throbbing throats, drawing tighter and tighter, till with »'■ cry they sink to th« ground. • ■ ■■■'• '•• •:';; ■•:.' \.*' <.".'.'. .'.'■,' •'I wish to thank from the bottom of my heart Fairy Clematis, for saving my bride and myself from the villainous hands of King Grnmbledonl Fairy Clematis,' what is your dearest wish! Ask, and. it shall be granted—ope wish." ■■./■■. ' ;■■ ;■. ■ ;■.■"■ "' "I do not ask to be rewarded for what I did to help you, but—-" "But what?" asked the smiling priniJe. ' ' ' '. ' «'Oh, I "would love a green cloak to hide these dirty brown leaves. Please, iaiit in your power to grant this'wish I" "But certainly I'shall gladly grant this wish in return for the,great service rendered me. J': the drab frock was transformed into a wonderful gown of green—the wish was granted. Standing jn front of the lofty throne on which was seated the newly-married couple was a lovely little fairy, gowned in a long, flowing robe of delicate green (the gift of Prince Bewa), her rippling hair tumbling over her shoulders, her blue eyes filled with joy and amazement. But a crowning-happiness was.to-be'bestowed upon her. Bangi, the sky-god, in praise of her courageous. > deed, with twinkling eyes let loose a handful of glittering star*: which' fell lightly on to * the newly-made dress • and on the shining 'hair.' ' ' ' ; ' Beautiful Clematis, inoi longer-lives aear the wicked gnomes in the gloomiest part of the bush,.l>ut she works and frolics with the other fairies to her heart's content. And every princess of the forest carries as her wedding bbuquet a spray, of clematis. : . ' ' "WHITE -TRAIL""( 14), Taihape^ ' ,' './ ;; '■ ; • ' .- '_. •.