WANTED-A PLAYMATE

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 26, 30 July 1932, Page 7

WANTED-A PLAYMATE

(Written, fprthe J?aiiy Rinit by ."Pollyanna," aged 17, of Kelljurn.) TWO chubby-cheeks were pijessed flat'against the windoy-pane; two red lips pouted. J Outside it -ntes snowing—just a light,"-feathery fall, butenough to transform each bare tree and each little flower into a faeryland .of delight. . .: •Deirdre,-just five, turned fr<»m the window and went over to the cosy, glowing; fire. - r . , . f; . ■■ •. -~ ■ - . . ■ "Bpii't lifie snow," she'pouhcW, !.' don't like being'cold, don't like winter. "Wish:—;O^l wish T'Tiaa someone ti\) play wit' me!" ,'A pathetic little appeal, but jDeirdre was really lonely. Toys she had in plenty, and every thing, else that vslie: could wish for. Everything but a playmate.' 'So.she was.sitting by the tfirc; pouting.' ' " " ' ; "Dift-riiear.'you say yoii didji.ft like snow!" asked a voice. Deir3re looked up in amazenuujt" as.a. dainty fairy dressed all in glistening white, stepped out from a glorreing coal. ' , ''Yes,,l,>di.d,'' repeated Deircliie. "I don't like snow, or cold, or anyfing, and; jTcvwjuit'..a jjlayjaate.'' '] f ; ■■: ■ . , ; ■ ■ . ■-. ; The "fairy'flitted, oii to her liaVil and said:. '.'lf you'really would like a. playmate, I thi,nk/\I can find you .'6n<i little. Deirdre." .■.."" Kfajlylt'iasked^he:little girll "Seaily-trulyt"' ' .. „, ' ... "Yes," really and truly," answ.e led .'the fairy. "I ani the; Frpst Fay, and I have been sent to take you to yisi b; our Palace, the Snow Cavei;h:. -You will eorae!" , , • '.'.'-■-' ■ ': ' ■•■■'.■

"I'd just,love to," from Deirdre jl and they wen U Out of the w,indow,-.and through )£e fxpsty, cold air they !fleiy, till they, came to:the Snowi Caveru. l'here ,wasi" no:,one. waiting^to greet'th.im,. -.but they, went straight in.-.. .". i . "Come along," whispered the Fay. "We'll visit the King, and .-you can tell Kirn your request. Hereiwe are lioiv at the Stateroom," and.they entered. Beirdre gasped'with delight. Ti>uly. a beautiful place, ■ this Stateroom. Snow, soft and pure, was a deep carp»Bt all over the floor;;the walls'were be-: jewelled- with frost;; and from-the veiling there .sparkled and scintillated A million." icicles. ; .'. •. ■ ■■~ • '..

: At the far. end of.the rciom, seatecL.on his throne, was the King. .• : "Xour Majesty, ". and the fairy curtseyed low, before him. ."Here is the mortal whom you requested me. to bring to your presence." . . "It:is Deirdre.t".asked the Kingi; . ... • :'.'Tes,aiiMwant.a.playinate pleasa 4. .I'm so lonely." . . . •> "So,-you-want a. playmate, eh! ?« H ■ ■ :. ■■■>; .. : , "I;.would love one very much," anttwexed Deirdre. "Ton shall have one. Take this rßife/iaiid each time you slip it on your finger yon'shall have a playmate. ■ But ,jmind you must only slip it-on when you, are quite alone. Do you understanil?" ■.."-. ;. .--.■■ - ■ "Yes," said the child. The ring, signing and sparkling, lay in the palm of. her fhand.. . • : !\ . '.'•Then,-farewell," said the King/ \i' .. , : . ;>■ ' "Godd-bye—and thank you so much;'^ called.Deirdre, as she waved from the,doorway. .■-.■• ~ j ,

",Fs so lonely. I don't mind the cold); now, and I like snow, but I's still lonely. ."Where's my silvy-shining ring?" afad she fumbled in the pocket of the little, spotted.pinafore.: . : " > . : ' "Now, there's no one about, and the d.»or?s tight shut, so I'll put it on!'*, She quivered with excitement as she clipped the ring on the little, hot finger.- r . .'■.:. ■ ■ , . ■ \ . .O-ooti, so; cold it seemed to be getting ©11 of a sudden, and a white mist teemed to fill the room. :-. : ■-.:■■ j '.-•■ . ■ ."Hullo, hullo!!" cried a jolly little voic<% and the room cleared. "I'm Jack Fr,ost,-your playmate and we're going to havijisuch fun together. Just watch!" And he'tnrned. a dozen cart-wheels like a spinning top. .''•BullOj'.f gaid Deirdre. : "Have vqu realfiy'eome to play wif'met" ".'bourse I have,";answered Jaclt.'".?>" ' ' v.Such fun they.had together, all the toji holding a new fascination for Deirdre. - They played all the. afternoon, till 'ithere came a sound of footsteps •on the stairs.: ; •: ■.■,■; • ' ' . : Deirdre said good;bye hurriedly as she Jslipped the ring off her finger. ..- ."And how's my little-Deirdre-girl}".;aslked Mummie, as she came into the Toom. ♦•Lonely?" :■■ 4 .; \ • . , . • 'fNot a ibit," answered the child. "I io^-e winter-time." _ ■ ','So suddenly!.: Why, only yesterday you ■»^ere •pouting about the cold, and thesnow. , But I'm : glad you'ye decided to :Kke it, for I've a big surprise for you. Listen," and Mummy bent closer ovetit^he little'curly head. "There's a little cousin coming to.-atay with you, for. iilways and always. Her name is Dorothy, and she's six; but she has no Muuuoie or Daddie, so she's going to come and be a playmate for ypuH' : . '? . ; Deir,dre: smiled contentedly, and'fumbietl' in her','pocket. The ring had gone. .;. .■ :■ • . • .: . ; ' ' : ' '. .■ .> "