FOE THE CHILDREN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18025, 25 February 1922, Page 3 (Supplement)

FOE THE CHILDREN.

THE NEW GIRL. '" Well, you may please yourselves, but ■ I, for one, am not going to make friends with anyone who comes to a high-class school dressed like a charity girl." If Bonnie Kathleen—who by reason of her rare beauty reigned as Queen of tho School-rdid not take up tho new girl, she would bo lonely indeed, for neither would any of Kabhle'en's admirers.

" It's rather strange Kathy should take such a violent dislike to a new girl," Nellie Taylor said,' breaking the silence; "I wonder how it is?"

But nono of her companions could tell her that it was because little Betty Lawrence was so very pretty that the sight of her had caused all the worst part of Kathleen's nature, and, fearing a possible rival, she had taken a firm stand from the first. The summer term was nearly over, and still tho school feud continued, for one or two of the stronger natures among the girls, dtawn by the wistful sweetness of Betty's manner, had broken away from their homage to Katlileen, and made friends with the new-come and as the little girl was quick at her lessons, she was no longer lonely, and began to like school life better.

Great excitement prevailed in the school for the term was to finish with a big Fancy Fair, which was to bo held in the school grounds. The fair was held annually, and all the girla wore allowed to holp, as the object was to swell the funds of an tfrpnanage for children. This year, however, it was to bo of evon greater im-

portanco, for tho Duchess of Wcsteliff, the lady to 'whom the school owed many scholarships, had agreed to open the fancy fair. Anff in the excitement of preparing for djSfo important occasion all else was for Himo being, forgotten. At. last all 'Was in readiuiss—the stalls laden with dainty trifles, and the girls': dresses, which on this occasion, as the Duchess was nearly related to Royalty, were allowed to be more elaborate than usual, hung up in readiness for the morrow. The fancy fair was declared open, and the graceful, girlish-looking Duchess of Westcliffe had accepted the handsome bouquet of roses which Kathleen had presented. Slipping from the raised'platform, the Duchess sought out " The Head," as the Lady Principal was called, and aid something in low tones, and tho latter smilingly beckoned to someone who was approaching from the house. x . And then indeed the whole school had a big surprise, for walking quietly towards tho Duchess was Betty Lawrence, no longer pdorly attired, but wearing the daintiest of white lace dresses, with a wide blue sash round her waist, and a lace hat wreathed with forgct-me-nots on her fair hair. Dainty white shoes and stockings completed the outfit.

and matlo up a picture good indeed, to look upon. Hut a still further surprise awaited the assembled scholars, for as they watched, they saw the Duchess move eagerly forward, and with a low murmured "My darling!" clasp the littlo girl in her arms, kissing her many times. For a moment the girls wore too astounded to speak oven to ono another, and then the great lady, still keeping one arm about happy Betty, said pleasantly. "You must pardon my deception, young ladies, but I had heard from several sources that your school, in which I take sudh a keen" interest, was getting a name for snobbishness, bo I sent my own daughter into your midst as a poor child in the hope of discovering if there was any truth in the rumour. However, as she has made no complaint in her letters to me, I am glad to belfevo my fears were unfounded.

It was a very different reception from Jior first one which Betty got on her return to school after a holiday which Mary bad shared, for tho girls, even proud Kathleen, wei'o so touched by tho fact that Betty had not complained of their rude behaviour, that they felt they could never do enough to make Up to her for it, and so once again peace and harmouy