THE HAPPIEST CHRISTMAS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 153, 26 December 1931, Page 16

THE HAPPIEST CHRISTMAS

(Original.)

NONAE was the most beautiful princess there ever was. Truly, she was bcautifulj with her glorious raven-black hair, lovely brown eyes, and red lips which rivalled the criaison. of the sunset sky. . •'.,'. But alas and alack! Princesses, especially beautiful princesses, are apt-to bo spoilt, and fair Nonae' was no exceptioa to the rule. . When the people of Polyantheus saw her, they would bow down before her. Then Nonae's eyes would lighten with pride, and she would Walk proudly1 away. So, although the people admired her, they did not love her. Many princes came to woo her, but ,Nonae only tossed her proud head and refused theni all. . It was one cold winter's day very near Christinas when Nonae slipped out of the palace and ran away into the woods to pick holly and mistletoe. Nonae played about all day, and carried great, arnifuls of holly and mistletoe to the edge of the wood, where she meant to collect them later. Wilful Nonae did not hurry home when the short dusk fell, and when" she did decide to go home it was dark, so dark that Nonae could not find the way. It waß a beautiful night. A baby elbow of a moon shone in the sky, and an icy wind rustled through' the snow-laden trees. Nonae was too tired and hungry to notice the beauties of the night. She walked wearily on; sharp holly leaves and nobbly branches tore her dress and thin slippers, and scratched her hands and face." . The' great silence frightened her, the dancing wind only mocked her, and the white snow made her feel sleepy. Then, when sho had given up all hope of finding her way home,.she espied a light gleaming through the distant trees. How she rant Half-stumbling over the low-down shrubs, she at last stood outside the little cottage. She knocked gently on the door, and it was immediately opened by a tall peasant. ■ ■ . *■ "I'm Nonae," began Nonae. "Princess ". The man laughed.- "I say. there isn't much of a princess about you!" But Nonae was cold," so sh« slipped past him into the warm kitchen. How lovely it was in there!- The wife ot the peasant was bending over the fire stirring-something "Whatever it is," thought Nonae, "it has a delicious smell." The large wooden table was covered with mincepies, lovely plum cake, huge slabs of shortbread, and three lovely Christmas puddings. There wag ft huge turkey all ready to be popped into the oven on the morrow. Nonae, as she looked at them, felt all the pangs of hunger. In the corner of the room, a huge fir tree covered with toys and brightly-coloured candles put the finishing touch to tho festive scene. y-cojonrea she bSSS'bSejnKt^^k* Chair> WatChsng thS P^ Sant>B •*' " Suddonly she came over to Nonae and said: "So you're Nonae, the proud princess!" She laughed harshly, "So very proud!" Then she added, "Yours hungry. Wait a minute, and I'll give you something to eat." She bustled about, and returned with a steaming bowl of soup. ousuea > How Nonae enjoyed it After it came a change of clothes and a nice warm bed. The last Nonae remembered of Christmas Eve was Meril (the peasant's wife) wishing her a risit from good Santa Claus Christmas Day! Josef and Nanie (tho two children of Meril) wer« loudly blowing the trumpets they had received.from Santa Clans, withflonae the princess beating the drum. What a.day they had! The King and Queen came to dinner, and were so happy'that they forgot to scold Nonae. They ate the turkey and declared it was excellent. So pleased was the King with Meril's pies that he made.her a-Eoyal cook; and Nonae the beautiful princess learnt that happiness may come from simple things. LyaUßay. ! "CAPTAIN PEGGY" (14).