White Birds.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20988, 26 September 1931, Page 4 (Supplement)

White Birds.

By JANE MAIR. " Lochaber,' A littlo fishing village on tho west coast of Franco, near the big port of Bordeaux, a littlo village of tiny cottages at the edgo of tho blue ocean'; this was the home of Nicolette. Go thero to-day, and tho people will tell you tho story of Nicolette and the whito birds. Old Gabriello had seen the white birds wheeling and circling liko seagulls oyer tho cliffs, a strange flock, whoso snowy pluniago had never before been seen. But, that was very long ago. The sun rose in splendour above the horizon, cresting each ripplo with rosy light. Littlo fishing smacks were rolling gently to and fro, as their owners leant over to exchange greetings. From tho shore Nicolette watchod them, as sho deftly mended with twine,a broken fishing net. Her small fingers worked quickly, for tho mended net meant a meal. Grandpere. would bo coming soon to join tho other fishers. Nicolette was eight, with wisdom far beyond her years. " What an oddity is little Nicolette," the villagers remarked. " Sho is a thousand years old." They shook their hea'ds doubtfully, for, on the day that Nicolette was born, one of tho strange, whito birds had flown into the house—and vanished out of sight. Thus, Nicolotto was held rather in awe, as old Gabriello had announced that it was her guiding spirit. Tho net being finished, Nicolette ran up from the beach to the tiny cottage that, meant homo to her. " Martian ! Martian!" she cried, "here, is your Nicolette, the net is finished." Her mother sat sewing in the doorway, frail and delicate, with tho light streaming over her careworn face. Nicoletlo stroked the silken threads—how she loved those gleaming strands, with which Maman was embroidering a pair of gloves. " Nicolette, littlo elf, have you heard tho news?" " No Maman." " The. King is in liordeaux." "Monsieur the King!—tho man who lives in the. Tuillerios?" " Yes, mon infant, he is the greatest man in France." " O, la! how 1 should like to see this king." Her mother coughed hard for several minutes, and said nothing. " Matnan, may I go and sit. on the rocks?" Being told that she might, she scampered off, like a. daring, red moth, in her skirt of scarlet. Upon the top of two tint- rocks, Nicolette used to sit; she had done, so ever since sho could climb. All tho village called them Nicoletto's rocks. To-day, she was pensive, for " Maman," was worse—Nicoletto's sharp eves had recognised it. As Nicolette sat gazing into the clear limpid water, a soft rustle made her raise her eyes, and there beside her stood a graceul bird, whoso snowy pluinago almost dazzled her. •The white bird slood still, but as Nicolette went, to stroke its head, it lifted its wings, and, giving a sweet, clear cry. Hew away toward Ihe village. Nicolette slipped down from the rocks and ran after it, clapping her hands delightfully. P>ut nowhere could she detect tho snowy whiteness that meant its presence. Her mother told her, in a peculiar voice, that it, was only a swan, hut, .somehow Nicolette knew that the lovely bird was not a swan.

Within the wall of Nicolette's home, there was no sound. Mainan " was dying. Old Gabrielle, skilled as slio was, could not save her. She needed careful

" Hurstmere Road, Takapuna. nourishment, and Grandpere had no money to buy tho necessary food. There was nothing but fish, black bread, and a gourd of goat's milk. Nicolette, with all the assurance of childhood, had taken the gloves, which Maman had finished, and had set out for Bordeaux. One thing kept hammering in her brain, " Tho King is tho greatest man in Franco," and to tho King and the King only, would Nicolette sell her gloves. Through the gathering darkness, she saw tho massive gates of tho city, the sight oi which urged her tired little feet onwards. The first person that she saw was the captain of tho King's Guard; sho walked straight up to him. V Do you know where I can find the King?" The man laughed. " Why, ma petite enfant?" " I have some gloves to sell." The soldiers about laughed amusedly. " Zounds! but, tho King has plenty of gloves, cheerio." " But, my Maman made these gloves—please take 1110 to tho King." Tho captain gazed down at, tho earnest littlo face, and seeing how weary it was, ho set. her on his shoulder. " Well, we will see if tho King will receive us," he laughed. Through the lines of laughing courtiers, townsfolk, and soldiers, they went, Nicolotto and the kind captain. At last, they reached the royal apartments. Nicolette was not in the least awed bv tho magniflcenco of His Most Koyal Majesty. Smiling out of her dark eyes, sho held out, tho gloves. "What is your name, pretty one?" inquired His Majesty. » " Nicolette, monsieur." " Where have you come from ?" " Tho village of Lacqtielle—my Maman is ill." "Well, littlo one, I will buy your gloves; you are a very brave little girl." Some time later, Nicolette reached the village, under the escort of tho captain, who kissed her small hands with as much respect, and dignity as if she had been tho Queen, and bowing gallantly, he galloped into tho night. When she entered the cottage with two gold pieces clutched tightly, sho found old Gabriello asleep by the fire. Silently sho crossed the floor, " Maman, see! I liavo two gold pieces. I have sold your gloves to tho King." Her' mother pal ted her hand feebly. " Maman, are you very tired ?" " Yes, little one, " but tell me, what is that by tho door?" Dimly, Nicolette saw tho white bird, silently ruffling iis wings. " A beautiful, whito bird, Maman, tho bird I saw this morning." Sho went to tho door, and the bird, instead of flying, came inside. " Can't you see it Maman —see, here it is." After a minute, the bird gave the samo sweet, clear cry, and then flew out of the room. Old Gabriello awoke at the noiso and learned of its visit. " I knew, T knew," she muttered. She looked at> tho dying woman, and then at the child, and said softly to her, " Human is asleep, do not wake her." Nicoletto stole outside —the dawn ay as coming as she sat 011 her beloved rocks, Yes, she knew that Hainan would not wake again.

As she sat, she saw a flock of graceful, white birds flying toward tho sunrise, and Nieolelte knew that Maman had gone with them.