THE TALE OF THE PEEKY GNOME

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 65, 18 March 1933, Page 19

THE TALE OF THE PEEKY GNOME

(Written by "PoUyanna" for the Fairy Ring.)

THE Peeky Gnome lived in a very peeky cottage, on the very Edge-of-the-ANorld. So near to the edge of the world it was that all the grass was a pale,.'azure shade, instead of the usual brilliant emerald. But that didn t worry the Pceky Gnome, for he had no interest in the grass. He was the Pedlar of all the Pixi People, and when he wasn't living in his little peeky cottage on the very Edge-of-the-World,' he was travelling with, his wee pedlar-cart Over-the-Edge-of-the-World. The Peeky Gnome was a cute little chap.' He was the' sort of gnome who was just made to be a pedlar—and a pedlar he was. Scarlet was the peeked cap on hi-s head, greeu the little jacket, and golden the small, striped trousers. Ho had a bright, happy smile always on his face, and a merry little twinkle in the corner of his green-gold eyes. , •; The Peeky Gnome set out very early one "morning to visit the Dwart King, who lived.in his Kingdom just Over-the-Edge-of-the-World. The Dwarf King was a particular friend of the Pixi People 's Pedlar, and this day ho had some news of particular interest to impart to him. Ovcr-the-Edge-of-the-World he went in his little pedlar-cart . . . down, down, down through the misty rosiness of the morning till he came to a stop before the Palace of the Dwarf King. Ho gave a carrot to his faithful horse. Poppin—just to keep him quiet while he was waiting, and with a quick caress on the chestnut mane, he was off into the Palace. He found the Dwarf King still in bed, but that was nothing unusual, for.the ,Kmg never arose before nine o' the cloqi. And now it was but

six. Small wonder, then, that he suppressed a heavy yawn as the Peeky Gnome entered the- Royal bed chamber, and greeted him with rather a wan smile.

"Good-morning, Peek," he said abruptly. He "always spoke abruptly, and he always addressed the Gnome as Peek.

" 'Morning. The top o' tho day to you, and out of that bed this instant! replied Peek. "I've some news for you that will make you want to be up an' doing this very minute." Out came one foot on to tho deep pile of the carpet, and then the other Out came the whole of his Majesty on to the floor, and in came a servant With all tho King's clothes. • ♦ ■ "Send him out," commanded tho Pocky Gnome, and the servant withdrew. Too well they knew the Pedlar and his anger when his orders were not obeyed. "And now," said Peek, "I can tell to you this most interesting and entirely unprecedented secret. No doubt you will want to know -just how I came to hear it, but that does not interest you, and, what's more, it is none of your business. Understand?" . .

"Quite," said the Dwarf King, knowing full well that before long he would know all about the secret and where it earao from ■i ; ''Very well," said Pecky Gnome "Listen." And he came nearer to his friend and whispered into Ins ear: "I heard last night that the Goblin Prince is m love with your fair and beautiful child, the Princess Hyacinth. He plans to kidnap her tonight, at the full of the moon, and he is «oin<* to take her to the Goblin Castle and keep her prisoner there until she "consents to marry him. He knows full well that you would never consent to the marriage, and he cares not that she has no love for him. All that he is aware of is the burning passion in his heart for her.', Yes, that's exactly what he said, for I happened to bo listening. You see, I was coming home late last night and I happened to stop at the Gooseberry Inn for a little snack. Well, as I was getting into my cart I heard voices from behind the gooseberry bushes, and as Poppin was very tired I decided to sit still awhile in t7 T? ?St •?! gIVC -, a rest> y°u know- And I heard them talking. Tonight they will come, and we will be ready for him. Instead of the Goblin Prince capturing the fair Princess Hyacinth, the fair Princess will concjuer nim. (To be Concluded.)