THE CHRISTMAS TREE FAIRY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 1, 2 January 1937, Page 8

THE CHRISTMAS TREE FAIRY

(First Junior Story.) The Christmas Tree was, undoubU edly, an extremely fine one. Strong. and young, and green, it was gaily decorated with silver and gold paper streamers, presents, candles, and—the Fairy. The Fairy was at the. very top of the tree. She had real hair, blue eyes that opened and shut, rosy cheeks and lips, and a beautiful fairy, dress, and wings to match. Everybody who was under twelve years of age looked at the Fairy with wistful eyes. Who would become the possessor of such a marvellous creature? And Mr. and Mrs. Galdin, who were giving the party, were just as worried as the children themselves. They knew how jealous the children: would be of the little girl to whom the doll was given, and the last thing they wanted was that anything should hap-

pen to spoil the party. And already the children were squabbling among themselves as to whom the Fairy would} be given, "I'm sure to get it,** one nine-year* old said confidently. "Don't be silly. I'm positive I'll get it," asserted an eight-year-old. "Just listen. Why it's already bees decided that I'm to have it," put in another child. The two grown-ups gasped. "Heavens! If I give the doll to anyone the place will turn into a beargarden," Mr. Galdin muttered anxiously. He and his wife regarded each otfaef in perplexity. l At' that moment came the sound of singing. "Noel, Noel, Born is the King of Israel," came the clear, childish voices in the night air. "Do ask them in, please, Mrs. Galdin," came a girl's voice. "Yes, yes, please, Mrs. Galdin," they all chorused eagerly. So the young singers were brought into the gay room. There were three boys and three girls, all of about fourteen years, and a wee girl about six or seven. They were all very poorly, dressed, and all had pinched faces, despite the fact that summer had arrived. They all gazed around them wonderingly. After they had sung a few carols. they were given something to eat by Mrs. Galdin, then brought up to the Christmas tree. Margaret, the baby, suddenly caught sight of the Fairy. "O-oh," she cried, stretching out hea fingers towards it. "t>oh! Pretty. Who is it for?" she asked eagerly. Mr. and Mrs. Galdin's eyes met. Should they? Each wondered. Surely, this was a way out of their difficulty. Everybody wanted the doll, and the girl who finally got it would be led a miserable life by the rest of her companions. It was too good a chance to be missed, and Mr. Galdin did not miss it. In front of all the guests, who stood staring at him open-mouthed, he speedily detached the doll" from the tree and put it into the hands of little Margaret. "For you, my dear," he said, to the intense joy of the Httle girl. After that the party continued happily, without any more quarrelling, and so was ended the problem of "The Christmas Tree Fairy." "BILLIE DOVE" (13). City.

RESOLUTIONS. I'm making rualutlani . . . The things I'm golm to do. The things I didn't do Urt year, And new Ideas too. f'v* thoutht of twenty "mustn't*." And I still oan think of more. "I'll toll you one," »tyl Mother, And Anna at th» door. "I know what you've forgotten." Says little brother Dlek. Oh, how oan I nnmbirl It's as bad u 'Mtfimrtte :