SMOKE FAIRIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19454, 9 October 1926, Page 4 (Supplement)

SMOKE FAIRIES.

BY M.N. What a very lucky little girl Vivian Chelwood was! She lived in the big, whito house on the hill and Squire Chelwood, the jollicst of jolly squires, was her father. She was very pretty, too, and happy-natured, so that everyone loved her. Besides all this, she had a mother who was as wise as she was sweet, and who would not allow her little girl to bo spoilt, but lovingly trained her to be unselfish and think for others. The day she was ten aLI the children from round aboqt, humble as well as rich, had been invited to her birthday party. What a lovely time they had! They played games in the grounds until the bell rang for tea—and such a tea! Everything the heart of small maiden and sturdy boy could wish for. Dainty sandwiches in neat triangular piles, pretty bright jellies, dishes of fascinating small cakes and a big frosted birthday cake three storeys high with shoes and silver bells and kewpies tucked about it. Crackers, fruit and nuts followed, after which they went into the big hall, where a lovely fire blazed on the hearth. Here they played more games till they all felt just a little bit tired and were more inclined to gather round the fire. So the squire told them stories and the butler brought sweets and turned the lights low. Then said Mrs. Chelwood: "Now, children, we will have a game of resolutions. Each in turn will just quietly resolve to do something, then nod his or her head for the next ono to resolve, till we get round the circle." The squire laughed at this. "Make your resolutions, by all means," he said, with a twinkle in his eye. "But I guoss they will all go up in smoke."

" Never mind," said his wife. "Now, Vivian, you start." " I must try to forget myself and remember others more," said Vivian to herself, then nodded her head. She sat back then and drowsily thought over what her father had said and wondered if wishes really did go up in smoke, when suddenly she felt a swaying and floating sensation. I imagine how surprised she was to find herself going up the chimney in a curl of smoke! Out into the night she floated, but not alone, for there, quite near, was a most beautiful fairy. She was dressed in a long, clinging cobwebby grey frock and her golden hair fell in rippling waves to her waist. Vivian knew it was a fairy by the graceful gossamer wings a.t her shoulders. Tt was bright moonlight and the light made the dress and wings, sparkle and shimmer. " A happy birthday, Vivian," said the fairy. " Thank you," said Vivian, politely. " But who are you, please ? " "I am your wish, Vivian," she answered. "If you will look around you will see other fairies; we have all come up

in smoke, as your father said we would." Sure enough, "Vivian could see other pretty fairies floating around. Some of these had pale blue, some lavender and some grey frocks. " Please, fairy, will you iell me what they are here for ? " ask the little girl. " They are waiting for their owners, dear," said the fairy. " They will go with them to their homes to hover over them when they sleep and make their dreams sweet. Sometimes, if the children listen, they will hear their fairywhisper to them." " Well, I will listen for you, fairy," said Vivian. Then she gave a big start and heard the children laughing and she realised she had been asleep. " Bedtime for little folks," said the squire. " We must get you all home before the dustman comes." Sorno of the little faces fell and Vivian noticed that weo Gladys King, the postman's daughter, looked very wistful. Her little frock was shabby, too, besido some of the other girls. " Remember others more," a soft voic« seemed to whisper in her ear. " Why," she thought, " that must bo my dear wish fairy." Quickly she sped upstairs to her own room. Opening her ribbon box she selected a beautiful rich rose-coloured hairribbon which her uncle had sent her that day. "It will just suit. Gladys," she thought. "She has such prett.v ({ark hair." Down she ran again and slipped the parcel into Gladys hand. " Will you have this ribbon in remembrance of my

birthday ? " she whispered. " I would love you to have it." The look of delight on the little guest's face was reward enough. Later she told her mother all about it and asked if her utncle would mind. " I'm sure he wouldn't, dear, under the circumstances. Indeed, ho would bo pleased, just as I am pleased, to know that you listened to your good fairy when she whispered to' you." "Well, it has made 'me happy, too," said Yivian.