FAIRY RING

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 15, 17 July 1937, Page 20

FAIRY RING

THE GREENSTONE TIKI

(A Maori Talc, by "Lonesome," IG, City.)

>4&l!>±. RETTY MARGARET N GAIRE RAMSLEY hurried down the (WT^i wide stone steps of her new home with quick and eager steps, S* H* for she was longing to become acquainted with the stretchLJBW old-world gardens and spreading, tree-shadowed lawns M \lmk that surrounded the rambling house which Margaret loved A OaW already, for it was like a little bit of old England. After searchAY: 3»^ ing many little winding paths, she wandered up to the terVtf) 3 "Y\ race where creamy roses cascaded over the old white walls 4) and deeper crimson blooms hung their rich sprays along a grey stone balcony. Lichened steps led to a secluded arbor which Margaret vsaw at once would prove a pleasant nook fora quiet read. •A crystal fountain splashed sparkling waters into its cool basin and the ground around at was moist and springy with emerald moss. The arbor led on to the spreading, velvety lawns. Here Margaret strolled in the shade of old maples till she came to a particularly beautiful tree whose bioad, green leaves, threw flickering shadows on the tender grass covering jts gnarled roots;' J ' , ~„. Margaret-found the gardener just about to depart. He had been digging round the roots where he meant to plant lobelia, which (as he explained), "would look good in the shade." ■"*»!, ■■- The little girl lay down at the foot of the tree and let the moist black soil slip through her fingers. Dreamily,she gazed ; at the beauty round her, when suddenly her fingers struck something hard and small. On crushing it and finding that it was not just caked earth, Margaret took it to a nearby .stream and with some curiosity washed away the encrusted soil. Great was her surprise on seeing the quaint, carved greenstone tiki revealed in the palm of her hand. Weird and wonderful did it appear to'her astonished gaze. She lay flat on the green sward to examine careifully the newly-found treasure. Her history book told her romantic stories lof the Maoris, of their strange carvings, of even stranger 'figures. Margaret (looked at her lovely colonial home. The little greenstone tiki seemed strangely" out of place there. It belonged to far-off, stirring times and told <a tale of a. warlike race. Clutching the little symbol, Margaret gazed up I through the leafy canopy of sunlight and shadow to the patch of fresh blue Under such a blue sky once awakened a young Maori maiden from her (bed of rushes on-a morning long before the first settlers landed on Aotearoa's I rugge'd'ishores. The young girl sprang from her bed, and, tying.back her long (raven tresses with a length of vine, she ran down to the cool blue lake i waters, where her Maori playmates were already revelling in an early morning bathe. The young men often glanced at her, for was she not the most beautiful Maori maiden in the whole tribe, and one of high rank, too. ..'':' ! ' But Ngaire did not stay with them long. She slipped away into the tush, and wandered down the sunlit aisle with drooping shoulders and troubled eyes. Away on the other side of the lake, where the rolling hills stretched into a purple haze.lived the hated tribe of Turi, the enemy of ;her; father, and there also Tai, son of Turi. Ngaire was sorrowful because !of the hatred that existed between Tai's tribe and that of her father. She knew her father's wrath would be great if fee knew that she had met Tai .secretly in the,luxuriant green bush wheri* the tui sang all day and the loVely clematis and emerald ferns made a fitting background for tfieirf stolen happiness.. ~.'.'•■■!. ,' Carelessly now, Ngaire plucked a spray of golden kowhai bloom, but Heir heart was in tune with the lonely swamp bird who cried mournfully in the marshes. \ - As she strolled back to the pa Ngaire perceived a great difference in its appearance. Maori youths were hurrying hither and thither, their black eyes flashing. Some were partaking in the haka; older men sat about sharpening battleaxes, while the women were preparing great feasts of knumara, roast duck, kukiipa, fish, and raupo bread. The young children came from the forest laden with juicy native berries. "What has happened?'" Ngaire asked her excited friend Runa.

"Your father, the great Chieftain Ngahue, has declared war on the enemy, Turi's tribe," she exclaimed. "Our men sail tonight. See! The great war canoes are already drawn upon the beach." Runa hastened away to watch the young warriors roll their eyes in the haka and listen admiringly to their boasting of the brave deeds they meant to do. But Ngaire looked out across the lake waters with clouded, anxious eyes. She knew that Turi's tribe was far the smaller of the two; that, unprepared and unwarned, they would all be massacred by her father's mighty taua (war party). . . .The fiery sun had slipped behind the hills. Already the shadowy night mist was descending over the land. In the red glow of the beach fires Ngaire could see the canoes were in full view'of her,tribe. All day she had planned and puzzled for away of escape. But how could she set off in broad daylight when throughout the day her people had been busy on the vlake shore. ■ ' ,

Her father had promised her in marriage to the warrior who brought back the most heads from the massacre. It was this horrible thought that gave the young maiden courage to carry out the plan that had formed in her troubled mind. Night had wrapped its black cloak over the land when Ngaire stepped from the shadow'of the bush into the icy-cold water.

(To be continued.)

THINK -TWICE

, RHYMING RIDDLE.. : ! In Amsterdam 'Us common, 1 Yet Holland wants it still, J It's on erery moor and mountain, ; I Yet not on aiiv liill. •• lit never was in Italy, • But yet in Rome appears; . 'It comes In every minute, ; Yet not in twenty years '. BEHEADING. -~ I satisfy. Well-mannered, folk : . Employ me if1 they, wont a -thing.' Chop oft my head and then to licht A term of holding it will bring. Behead again and comfort and Simplicity will come to hand. JUMBLED SEAS. If tha letters of each of tho following words and phrases are properly rearranged thoy spell ■the names of six seas in various parts of the •'world. A NEAT KEMINDER THORN BIG URN AS IN CAr TO RIM CAB LIT LAST WEEK'S ANSWERS. What Am I: Potato. , < Jumbled Flowers: Marigold, Poppy, fMf, Jonquil, Carnation, and Hollyhock.

FLUFFY

"Even Fluffy, our pet Persian kitden, does not like our weather. He. comes in, shakes his wet coat, and walks across the floor, leaving a trail of muddy footprints. But you would not have the heart to i scold him, for he looks at you with those pretty green, eyes as if he meant to say, 'I didn't mean to do it' I think Fluffy is the prettiest, most darling kitten'in all the world." "LAUGHING LASS." Martinborough. '

FACTS ABOUT FORKS

Can you imagine a guest sitting down at a State banquet, and finding no forks provided for him? An. embarrassing plight—yet ,this was a usual happening before the seventeenth, century. Until then, forks were practically only used for cooking and carving, and the carver of the joint was the only person to be given a fork at meals. He carved all the helpings with it, and the diners ate them with their fingers. In 1611, an English traveller, Thomas Coryale, wrote at length about a curious custom that he had seen in Italy —the use of table forks, made of, iron or steel, or sometimes of silver.

He was so impressed by the*custom that he introduced it in his own home, but his friends looked askance at what they considered ostentation, and he was often referred to as "that miserable fork-bearer." However, it was not long before the "curious custom" had become universal.

There is an amusing little record in eleventh-century history to show us how strange the idea of table forks seemed in past ages. The wife of one of the doges of Venice was reported to be "luxurious beyond belief," because she refused to touch food with her fingers, but had a small fork made for conveying it to her mouth.

FOR SIX REIGNS

Mrs. Jane Bowers, of Mill Court, Chorley, celebrated her 102 nd birthday recently, states the "Children's Newspaper." A poor old soul, she has known better times. Her three brothers are dead; her husband has been dead 30 years; all her five children have passed on., She has not a relative in the world, and so little money that luxuries never come her way. Until a year ago she could see to read and thread a needle without glasses, but she finds it harder to do these things now. A boy fetches her allowance every week, and neighbours look in to cheer her. It is wonderful to think that William the Fourth, Queen Victoria, Edward the Seventh, George the Fifth, Edward the Eighth, and George the Sixth have all ruled in England since Jane Bowers was born in Glasgow.

RULES OF THE RING

Visiting houri to the Fairy Rlna are tnree to four-thirty o'clock on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I, Address letters to Falriei, "Fairy Ring," "Evening Post" City, Cl. ' i ftfrt your ags. name, and address as well as your pen-name. . i Always say whether your wont IJ original or copied. i. Oo drawings on unllneO white ' oaper, •in ooncil or Indian Ink. - i. Leave a margin when writing stones or verses, and write In INK on one side of th» paper only. ' .'„'..' S. The Ring closes at ♦ o'clocK on Wednesdays, io post early In the week.

"FAIRIEL SENDS . . .-

"W.G.T.," Erua.—Tlie poem, will find a place in cither the bird or tlio tree special. Thank you for your, suggestion for the illustration. '■"■■• ■ . ' "Dancing Star," City.—l do like'ithem •'• -| specially the lattice-windowed cottage. The rose-pinky juniper sounds very cosy. Is it finished? "Narcissus," Brooklyn.—Could you write a story to match your drawing' of the orange girl? Please come visiting again. "Tick Tock." Eastbourne.—Don't forget to tell when you've had the first swim of the season That will be a real sign of spring. A seaside house has winter-delights as well as summer ones. Please writo lots more letters. , "R.D.," Brooklyn.—Your- entry for tho Natural History Alphabet received, "K.U." Have you sent all of the flve groups!1 G. Marsh, Berhamnore. —TTull marks for Croup Five. I hope you have not missed any of the series. "Margaret N.," Nelson.—l 'speet the Tasmans are wearing their white veils today, plxlekin. Thsuik you for remembering Ulrd Page. "Redwing." Lower Hutt.—Serial stories must be complete when'sent to the Itlng, elf . and, sadly, you have forgotten the one-side-of-the-paper rule. ■ "Black Imp," Miramnr.—Welcome to our: King, Melva. It was interesting to' look through your sketch-boolc. May I' have one small drawing for the King? " "Chickadee,"' Miramar.—Wasn't It thrilling when the engines started to' roar and you felt yourself gliding out above ,the sea? I'm sure you are longing for your next aeroplane ride. "Sydney Damsel," Lyall Bay.—lt was jolly to make friends, wasn't it? Hid you carry home, very carefully, my love to "HiKt-ot-tlie-liuncli" and "Dosert Uold"? "Winsome," Seatoun. —Have, you learned the new song yet, pixie' Perhaps you will slug It, for me at the King one day. "Ruth T.,", Wadestown.—Do you want to Join the Ring.-lluth, or were you just,visiting with "Winsome"? Two surprise visitors on a sunny morning. . "Laughing Lass," Martlnborough.—Could we have them for the Christmas book and toy collection, Pauline? I wonder how many goals you scored In that match . , ; and did you win? ' ■ "Sklpperjack," Petone. —I wonder what coloursecret its bud holds?;'Do-you hope it is jiink, orange or crimson? How fast click the Knitting needles In your house! "Little Totty," Petono.—You should have sent your fire story for our competition, pixie, (iood puzzle-finding I "Mario G.," Lower Hutt.—l thought perhaps they had kept you at that southern mushroom. Wo missed your pen-piclures so. So, Jlarie, the first three groups have not arrived . at the lUng. "Blllie Dove," City.—Soup and milk . . . why. school is almost a picnic. Thank you for Mrs. Sparrow's story. ■;■'■- "June G.." Melrose.—You may be called "Sea >:if" June. Didn't you Ihluk carnation '.vaa a taugly-Uvlsty jumble? H almost tripped "Letterbox Kit." \ ■ "Lola A ," City.—Anil Was It hard to guess "the bird with a beak," l.ola I There-were-sev-i eral "beaks" that would have answered, the I rhyme, but you guessed the right one. '"Morning Rose," City.—Sorry the. story of the I lame sparrow had a sad ending, pixie. How you must have missed him when the oilier j birds came at meal-times. .: ' .- "Joyolklns," Miramar.—Good enough? Sather! It is a splendid flrat-effort at .verse-making, ■look.'for one or two-small alterations, elf. "Princess Sllverwlngs," Trentham.—The first little soug of welcome for spring! I- am ; sure her green-slippered feet will hurry when • she hears It. Was the bluebell story yours, j nixie? .-.■..'.■- - . - - ■■■'

"A BIG WELCOME TO ~ ." "Joyclklns" (II) ...:.............. Mlramar '•Tick Tock" (10) ............ Eastbourne "Sea Elf' (8) ..... ..._..-.. Melrose "Black Imp" (13) .................. Miramar "Chickadee" (12) .... Miramar

FROM NIUE ISLAND

"My Niue pen-friend is a.native boy aged twelve, called John Bull. : He has three sisters and four brothers. Last time, among the things he sent was a quaint money-box made from a midget coconut. He made it himself, for he goes to Hakapu School and is learning to be a carpenter." "SYDNEY DAMSEL" (14). LyaUßay. ,

LAUGHING WATER.

Hivve you heard the UUlo rivulet A-clnicklliiK sweet nud low As It ripples o'o Ha sandy bed, Where tail, green rushes grow? Have you heard the merry wavelets On a culm itml sunny day, Lapping up against the warm, white Sand ami laughing lit their play ? When a gentle, passing zephyr atlrs The surface of the lake, Do ymi'lienr the cheery little sound The tiny ripples siilcc ? [ have never heard a happier Sound upon a sunny day ■ .' . Than the lilting song of laughing Water baubling on Us way. —LII.IAX B. McCAKKON (li)t BIRDS. (Original.) I wonder, Do you ever look out yonder To hoc a lilrd, Hunting plaintively, But In vain. And when you throw out crumbs. He quickly cnmiw, Bringing his friends, Until It nil ends. "BLUEBKLJ, QUEEN" (10). Eastbourn*.

WHEN WINTER WAS LATE

(A story by "Gillyflower," 13, for Little Folk.) OH dear! It's dreadful! It shouldn't be allowed to go on. Something will have to be done about it." A wise old pixie sighed as he,shook the dew from a beautiful rose and gathered it in a clover cup. Just then a little fairy alighted on a rose and said, "What .do you think has happened, Pixie Longbeard? Well, -Jimmy and Josaphine Jonquil, Fanny Freesia, and their relations have been seen peeping up and some even flower-ing-in a forest-glade today." .■:;■. "It's just as I said," Pixie Longbeard said. "It's, high time she was here!" "Yes," replied»the pixie. "Red Admiral," he called to a,butterfly who was near, "would you go to Fairiel and ask if there could be a meeting of the Ring tonight. If you do I will give you a clover cup filled with honey." z "Very well," replied Red Admjral, arid with a flutter he was off. In a few moments more everything was a hustle and a bustle. The cutest elves were sent to buy the honey from the bees, the pixies gathered dew from the flowers, gnomes made rose-petal jam, fairies gathered, thistledown cakes, and elves made clover-pie and honey-suckle drink. They had soon prepared for the feast after the meeting . ■■.-'. ' . ■ At midnight when everything was ready, even to the tiniest of mushrooms, the meeting, began. It was held on a little hilltop overlooking the sleeping town in the glow of a lull moon. Very soon the meeting was in full swing. There was a frown on Printer Man's brow as he tried to think why Summer had refused to depart., The older gnomes.and pixies bent their heads

together and with low murmurings were discussing the subject very heatedly. "Well," said Letterbox Elf, "the only thing to do is to send a letter to Winter."

"But where is she to send the' letter?".asked Printer Man. He scratched his head and said, "Well, send a messenger out to tell her to hurry up. It would save my poor brains, anyway!" . 'Twinkle-toes, dear, would you go?" asked Fairiel. 'Somebody'll have to go, you know." :'■''... Said Twinkle-toes, "No! Certainly not! Gnome Workemhard has given me too many home lessons to do. I couldn't polish those buttercups you told me to do yesterday, so busy was I doing lessons, and if this meeting goes on much longer I'll'be too tired to do anything tomorrow." With a big yawn he tumbled off his mushroom. Pairiel sighed, and then addressed a small pixie. ."Would you go, Dilly Dally?" "M-m. Well, I might, but I've got to polish the apples on the Ring's birthday, tree, and they take such a long time to do. I could leave them for/a day or so. Yes, I might do that, but—l don't think I'll go, Fairiel." Printer Man bit the end of his quill and frowned. "Somebody will have to go. What about you, Timothy Tuppence?" "W'well I haven't found out what three times seven is, yet, and Gnome Workemhard will be angry if I don't finish my homework by tornorrow_ at noon." Printer Man heaved'a huge, sigh and-said, "So/that's that!" Fairiel placing a hand on his shoulder, said, "Never mind Printer Man! I'm sure Pixie Penny would g0.,,; Would you, pixiekin? v \ . "I've just -" Oh, who was that who dared to interrupt an important meeting? Printer Man tapped'his. toe impatiently on a toadstool near his feet. A'little, panting elfin pushed in through a group of annoyed gnomes and said, "Fairiel, Winter has been found sleeping under a rosebush! Peter Piper told me just now as I was walking through the forest sweeping up the autumn leaves! She said she was coming straight away,-when Peter wakened 'her " "Oh!" the fairies gasped in amazement. "She's never done it before! Just then Winter herself appeared, skipping oyer the tufts .of grass. What a joyous meeting the Ring had that night and what a feast after it.

PIXIE PEOPLE

Old Man Southerly was playing his favourite game of Corner Attack the day Letterbox Elf and I met the Explorer. There was an inky .iky, sweeping rain, and the lulls were wearing their whitest snowcaps. The Explorer's eyes twinkled at a damp and frowning Letterbox Elf." They were 'the calm, blue eyes that seemed always to'be looking into the distance. "You don't call this cold weather," he laughed. "How would you like to be an Eskimo child?" Letterbox Elf's frown disappeared like magic. "Have you seen one?" he questioned eagerly. "Many. .. in Greenland," said the Explorer. "There was one 1 knew fairly ivell .. . a fat little fellow called Ag-Lik. His Daddy took me home to his skin tent to see him. Ag-Lik was taking his morning qil-rub. His mother pinched him and squeezed him, kneaded him and spanked him till I thought he must feel hurt. But he seemed to enjoy it just, as New Zealand babies enjoy their baths. The only thing Ag-Lik misses, Letterbox Elf, is the fun you have in splashing the water all over the floor!' "Isn't it cold, camping out in the ice?" asked Letterbox Elf. "Warm and snug in the skin tent," smiled the Explorer, "and in Ag-Lik's bed of fur rugs and sea-bird's feathers. He doesn't wear any clothes inside the tent but when his mother lakes him out he wears a little sealskin cap and two coats." All this time the Explorer's pen had been busy. "Here is a sketch of Ag-Lik," he said, "and here is another of my submarine. You see 1 have travelled on the ice. and have flown over it, so, next time, I am going in a submarine to find the North Pole, and the Weather Man." Perhaps, some day, the explorers of the world will discover th c Weather Man's secret, and then we shall be able, to order warm weather as easily as warm bath water ... , and speaking of baths don't you- prefer the ■ jf splashy kind to Ag-Lik's oil-rub? Here is the "j 3tfsj Explorer's sketch of Ag-Lik. Isn't he a dumpP.S. — One more* week for Bird Page stories . - and drawings!

"PLEASE . . .!"

Beatrice Moller, Nuahere, Wcstland (N.Z.), would like penfriends In New Zealand or overseas. Her age is fourteen years, and she promises to answer all letters. Beatrice would like to receive a "snap" with the first letter if possible. Ray Kulsen, Kaitiorl, wsstland, would like to write to boys of ten or eleven years of age. Ray is interested in collecting cigarette cards and cowboy pictures. Noni Woods, 20 Celia Street, Redciiffs, Christchurch, would like a pen-pal in New. Zealand. Noni's Interests aro in. sport and stamp collecting, and sho is fifteen years of age. Betty Sparrow, 56 Dudley Street, North Richmond, Christchurch, New Zealand, wishes to write to pen-pals (aged twelve years) overseas, especially in France, Germany, and Italy.

.. .AN ANSWER TO "

"Billy Bones," Island Bay.—Still guessing, Billy? You arc a good trier and "Letterbox Elf" wishes you very good luck in the competition. ■

"Siki'Woo," Lower Hutt.—Fun to have your own Science Lab. Please experiment in brewing a fine-day spell for' tho Weather Man.

"Tar Baby," Nowtown.—A. sweet poem, pixie. Please tell me the name of the writer. Several poets have- called the moon a shop- .. herilcss. '

"Raggedy Ann," Island Bay.—That must have been very long ago . . . but "Letterbox Ml" says, "Oil, no . . . I'm a model child mys^if!" So perhaps there arc Matilda 'Mauds about today. \ , ..

"Sea Urchin," Seatoun. —Lion-hunting Is truly one nf the most thrilling sports . . . and one of India's favourite ways of entertaining 'important visitors. Let's hope the cricketers are good shots. Marie. ,

"Shirley 8.," City.—The "Spotted Drowssorc" has your entry, Shirley. 'Such a pile he has to look through 1 All the boys and girls of the ltlns havo been wearing thinking caps. ,

"Auto," Island Bay.—A most Interesting contribution, elf-of-tlie-"lupes." And after the ■ mango-stones I'm sure you never blluk an eyelid at hailstones.

"Oriole L.."1 Lower Hutt.—Another puzzle for tho collection, elf-with-the-quaint-name. "What can we/ call her for 'short'?" asked ' Letterbox Elf. But I think you should keep Oriole. j

"Roso of Lorino," Karaka Bay.—Tour entry safely received. J. Are you and Mary nutting your heads together to make something special for Bird Page?

"Mountain Rose," Khandallah.—But I did remember y0u.... . and I'm ever so glad you are writing again. Sorry I cannot send the wallers you mention, Betty. Entries for each ■ group must bo posted by the following Saturday. ■: . , ...■■.

"Top Hat," Nowtown.—lcing the Blrthaay Cake. Perhaps you, too, have just had a birthday. And your wish came true, for we did have more of those sunny days. ;

"Princess Nena," City.—l'm longing to see the answers anil to know whether my guesses are right Sorry you missed the painting, olf. • Watch for the next competition.

"Jean W.," N B alo.—Good guessing, Jean The mizzles were very much more difficult tills time and you guessed them all. Keep on trying 1 ...,'•

"Brown' Owl," Wadestown.—And I have peeped at it several times since you called. I suppose Tho Artist is busy making pictures of spring in England. Lovely to think of bluebells and primroses on a grey day.

"Pollyanna," Kelburn.—Almost . . . I wrote the name you left in the visitors book . . . and then decided that it was not strictly true, no you know "party crosswords '■ ■ ■ (Xo, the worst-tempered person docs not win!)

"Swastika," Karori.— Perhaps there could be wee curds to remember it by ... or one larger card with a design from a pen we know If the flying minutes allow- it.

"Myself," Island Bay.—Eight" arms .... .for an owl? Perhaps you gues.sed.it from memory lass.. You couldn't make any mistake about that gentleman-of-the-deep!

"M.C.." Porlrua.—Thank, you for your letter and those dainty verses which I shall certainly print. P.oocl wishes and love from all the Rlne

"Neil Mac D.." Nawtown.—Good work. Nell. I hope you hare not missed any of the alphabet groups. . • ■ ■

"Queen of the Snow," Kelburn.—Many letters send good wishes to the writer ot Sunbeam Collage." The Illng People enjoyed your story, elf.

"White Horse Inn," Lower Hutt—We shall try those riddles around the fireside . . . and find out who is best at guessing conundrums. ■Thank-you for your neat, ■ long letter, plxiekln. • ' . ; ■ ■■•■■'

SIGNS OF SPRING

• "I have seen in many of the shops I in town first signs of spring; shy-eyed j violets peeping from their shallow bowls, sweet-scented jonquils, pale blue J delphiniums, all set in rows looking on the street. Dusky, stately wallflowers, and pretty little yellow primroses all bring signs of spring." "ICE MAIDEN" (15). Ngahauranga. :. ■ ■ '

BINGO. (Copied). When I liuil my tonsils out (I was only nine), Granule gnve me Bingo, So Eingo's «H mine. Blngo'3 ii terrier. Very kind ami wise, Mostly white, and with dark brown oyes. When I'm rather ■- bigger I know what I shall do, I shall bo exploring And JHngo will go too. We shall reach' tho South Pole I shall keep ft log, 4ml Bingo's photo. will be taken Because lie la my ilofr. Ho will be presented With a silver bowl, "Mils belongs to Bingo, Who went to the Pole." —]frum "JIAYTIME FAY." Brooklyn. THE FOREST GLADE. (Original.) t know 11 lltllo forest glade. Very small ami cool, Where lilies, lull anil graceful. Grow beside a pool. Mushrooms brown and white, Grow amongst the grass, And funlalls twitter soft.lv, Whenever you pass, ft Is a- very uiilet place, A glndo full ot ■, dollclit, Where the moon shines sliver, NlEht by night. "GREAT GREENPEATHER" (11) Johusonyllle.

IN QUEST OF ADVENTURE

Part 1. (Wrillen by "Brown Owl," 12, Wadestown-*

///^ OOD-BYE, Mum! Good-bye, Dad!" .. \jf "Have a good time!" ■■ . : "Don't forget to write to us!" "Good-bye, children! You enjoy yourselves too!" Mr. and Mrs. Meredith called back to Kenneth and Hazel as the Survivor slowly-moved away from the, wharf. , - The streamers snapped, the crowd surged to the end of the pier, and many fluttered white handkerchiefs to the fast-disappearing ship. Hazel and Kenneth walked disconsolately home again, and at the front door of the Manor were two large new trunks, already strapped and labelled, which sent a thrill through the twins, for they knew that those neat cases held their own belongings and that they were going to stay with Uncle Hugh, at the Grange, which was between Brighton and Newhaven. Although the twins were over twelve, they had never travelled; so this was a- new kind ' of adventure, with an uncle whom they had never scon thrown in a* well. At last they were in 'Vie express which was racing southwards to drop passengers at Calwic m several hours. The children,were very tired, but when the train puffed, screeched, and jerked at the station, Ken bundled his sister out and they both fell into the arms of a tall, slim, handsome man, who laughed and conducted them to a shiny, open sports car. They clambered in and soon were skimming over the miles with the fresh evening breeze blowing-in their faces. : They could only remember dazedly what happened after that; such as having a meal and then being led to bed. . . ■.-■■■..■ Next morning they awoke at an early hour and soon were outside exploring. They wandered along the beach and watched the waves race each other to the shore, and after having walked for ten minutes they sat down on a hillock of .grass in the sand. : ■'-.■'■'.■ Hazel started absently grovelling in the sand, and her fingers touched something hard. When she had pulled'it out, it was found to be a large ■ stone. . : ■ ■ ■ ■■■•.■■■■ / .-..■. Ken was watching, and suddenly he shouted, "Why, look! The sand is falling into the socket fast, as if there is a hole beneath it! Quick, Hay, put the stone back!" : ; ■. Hazel did as she was told and immediately the sand stopped. . "Let us find some of those pieces of driftwood we saw, and block them round the stone, and then we can take it out again and see what's underneath," she cried excitedly. . . Both'of them hurriedly collected bits of the hardest wood and wedged them round the stone. Then they carefully lifted it out, and to their amazement they found themselves gazing into a dark hole. : "I am afraid we shall have to go back to.Uncle's for breakfast, and then bring torches back afterwards," Kenneth spoke sorrowfully. Then an annoying thing happened: Uncle Hugh asked them to go into his study, after breakfast. He said:" "I sincerely hope' you won't ■find it dull here. As you know, I write books, and so do not have much time, but I think you will find enough to do. But there is something I want to warn you about: we fear there are foreign spies about, so do not go too'far from the house please, and if you see anything suspicious, report to me at once." With that he.let them go. • , '..'■•■ They quickly made their way to the deserted part of the beach, and having let themselves through the hole they turned their torches round them. What they saw was a cave, about the size of a small room, with cold, greywalls which were quite moist. In one corner was an opening,' evidently a passage. The twins went through this carefully, Ken leading.1 After about 100 yards of rocky floors, low roofs, and twists and bends, the children nearly walked into water, but Ken caught Hazel's arm just i» time. . ■■"'■' i "Just like a smuggler's cave," cried Hazel excitedly, but Ken was very thoughtful, and gently persuaded Hay to go back. Air the rest of the day he was very serious, and he said to his twin; "We must tell Uncle Hugh. It might not mean anything, but again, it might." ''■■'.• - ' - So just before tea-time they knocked at the study door and went in. Mr. Ranolds turned round and spoke in a very surprised tone, "Well?" Ken stumbled through the story, and at the end of it their' Uncle' 3 eyes twinkled, but he was very serious. Then he made an exciting EUggestion: "What do you say if we go after tea?" ' ;■.■.-■■ '.'.,'■. ■ , The twins replied that that was just what they would like; and/so it happened. - ' . ' . . '... At about 7 p.m. a party of three could be seenwalking along the beach, and stop at the stone. Mr. Ranolds was very interested and when they reached the water in the cave passage, Hazel noticed that it was further out than it had been when they had seen it earlier in the day. ' _ .; Then the leader of the party exclaimed: "This must be under the sand and sea, and the tide is out at present. Probably: smugglers,brought their goods herein the old days." • ; r . -■ ■.■....■■- ■■'.■:.'. : It was getting late, so they went back.' Just as theywere about to get through the hole they heard a series of splashes; then low, whispered speech**1' as if in a strange language. V i : : : :. Could these unknown people be foreign intruders?, (To be continued.) I^*3s?^ P -3%^

NATURAL HIS TORY PUZZLE

SMILE AWHILE

A BURIED TEMPLE

Two motorists met In a lane too narrow-to.I permit them tv puss each other. ' One of them ruse in his seat mid said to the other: "I never turn" back .for a fool!" Die other driver quietly put Ills car In reverse, backed out, and replied; "That's ail rlylit* 1 always do!" ; , Father (trying to read) :Wli.it Is that awful ilin in the hull:' Mother: One of the children just fell down the stairs. ■■■•■' Father: Well, tell tho children if they can't full downstairs quietly tlioy will liava to slop It .' ' ' ■'-..' Say to -a Friend.—"Can you tell me this: It a 'dog was tied to a rope ten feet long, and twenty feet away there- was a nice juicy" hone, how could the dog get it?" Your friend, after puzzling over this for some time, will probably liive it up. Then you tell Mm: "Ha just ran and got the bone. You see, the other und of tlic rope wasn't fastened to anything" A FISH STORY. Silly trout. ■ J'ishermau, " Wriggly worm— I'ryliijf l»m Shopkeeper! Aren't you the same boy who /asked for a jub yesterday? .Buy: Yes, sir. . Shopkeeper: Well, didn't I tell you I wanted an older boy? .Buy: Yes—l'm older, now, sir. Tom: Who was that man you were tolling me about the other night? JJ111: You mean Smith? Tom: No. Dill: llrowti? Tom: No. Mill: Jiiown? Tom: I said "JSV" , I ]1MI: Well, there are two Browns. I thought it might have been the other one. Small voice from above to tired parent below : Daddy, will you bring me a glass of water " Daddy: No, son. Go to sleep. Sonny (after a pause) : Do bring me a drink of water, daddy I Dad'ly: Certainly not. If you don't be qiilct and ko to sleep I'll bring a stick. Sonny (after another pause) : Daddy, when you bring the stick will you bring me a drink/

A landslide near Alexandria has revealed a hidden wonder. Now that the sand has slipped down-hill a temple in a remarkably line state of preservation may be seen, some of its pillars still upright, and many of its statues and sphinxes as perfect as when they were fresh, from the sculptor's hands.

"ESCAPE"

An exciting indoor game to p»ay is "Escape." j . ~< Tear up as many scraps of paper as you have players, write P on six and Gon the rest. Fold each one, and, having put,them in a hat, pass them round, each player taking one. No one may say what letter he has. '■ P stands for prisoner and G for guardian. : - ■■■'■■' ■" ■ .•.■■■■ ■'■ .■■ -' ■"■ .;

The lights are then turned out, the door of the room opened, and for five minutes the prisoners are free-to escape, hiding in other parts of the house as far away as possible. At the end of the time the lights are put on, and everyone has to find out first who the six are. ' ,

They then proceed to find them. Meantime, the prisoners are 'making their way stealthily back to the room while the search is ; going on. . Anyone of them caught by any,of the guardians is out. of the game.: Any of them who succeed in getting back to the same room are winners.

WISHING. (Original.) Have you ever wondered How nice it would bo, If you were a cloudlet Sailing a wide, blue sea? With gentle bree2es to ruffle And the sun to shina on you Floating across a drowsy world, With not a thing to do. Ah. yesl That's all right on flns days, But you forget about tho cold— When winds spring out of nowhere And tiny waves grow bold. Ruffling turns to tossing, And the sun goes out of sight, What with whistling wind and driving r&ltlj You would bemoan your plight So do not wish to be a cloud, ~' / For you'll grow big quite soon. And then you'll find that merely wlshlnt Does not bring the moon \ "BUSTER BOY" (19)', .