THE LUCKY BIRTHDAY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 84, 9 April 1932, Page 16

THE LUCKY BIRTHDAY

(Original.)

It was the Fifth of November, GujFawkes' day, and also it was the twins' birthday, a very important event. But this year it would not be celebrated because- Envis and Anwyl's father had been out of work.

; They wore thirteen to-day. Thirteen seemed such a magic age, and they "were to have no celebrations. Last ■year they had had a proper Guy 'Fawkes party, with fireworks, a bonfire, and all that. "Hard luck, "said En vis, "but we must not let Mum and Dad see we're disappointed. We'll have a nice little tea with just the four of us."

, In the afternoon the twins decided to go for a walk beside the river; it was a favourite walk of theirs. ,As they were walking along they saw a small girl trying to climb a willow-tree which overhung the river. . _ . . ', ■

'' That looks like Sonia Wainwright,'' said Anwyl. "I wonder . what she* after? If she's not careful she'll find herself taking a cold bath."

"The water's pretty deep there," remarked Envis.

As she spoke, an ominous creaking was heard, and Sonia plunged headlong into the water.

Immediately Anwyl flung off her shoes and dived in, striking out to the terrified Sonia, while Envis rushed down to the bridge- to help her sister whon she came near the bank. Sonia had gone under twice when Anwyl reached her, and she had just about lost consciousness when Anwyl grabbed her by the. arm an.d supported her while she 'swam, backstroke toward the bank.

Then Envis waded out, and together they carried the-now unconscious Sonia out of the water and, laid her gently on the ground. Envis . applied artificial respiration, while Anwyl ran up to the house to fetch Squire Wainwright, Sonia's father. '• • ■ -; ■ ■-■■-■

Wheu ,h& arrived at the riyerbank •with Anwyl,"Sduia' had come to. With a glance at the pale, shivering Auwyl and the damp Envis, he picked up Sonia and strode' towards the house1, bidding the twins follow him. :'

About two -hours later, two thoroughly happy twins wore being driven home by the Squire himself. -As soon as the car.* stopped, the twiiis bouiided out and. rushed inside to,tell their parents •what had happened. " r Then the Squire came in, and with an arm around each twin told what had happened, and he finished up by saying, "And I'd like to give these, two brave girls of yours a small gift each.'' With that, he handed them a little box, and inside were two of the dinkiest little gold -watches. The twins were nearly mad with delight, but when Squire Wainwright said that he would give Mr. Lalburn a permanent position, their joy was supreme. "And everything seemed so horrid this morning," said En vis. "But look how it turned out, just as it does in a story book!" "LATOJs TA" (15). Lyall Bay. .