ALL HIS EGGS IN ONE BASKET

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22777, 10 July 1937, Page 8 (Supplement)

ALL HIS EGGS IN ONE BASKET

it by the lake by the old willow trees, 'her head bumped against something hard. '"Why 1 believe it's a star!" cried Sally. Sure enough she had bumped against one of the arms of a star. It twinkled so much that she found it quite difficult to climb on to it. When she was on top she saw a wonderful golden pedace, and leading up to the coor was a path. A tall, old, woman came through the floor and walked down the path. She itook tally's hand and led her to the palace, saying in a kind voice, "How nice of/ South Wind to send me such a idear little visitor. Did you havo a pleasant journey, my dear?" Sally was too surprised to reply, for as they came to the castle, she found that it was all made of hard, yellow jfcoffee. ; In the walls were stuck big, white, aiuts like stones in a real castle wall, &nd the broad steps were toffee, too, 'with the same big nuts stuck in them. ■The door was a thick slab of pure chocolate and the windows were made of thin slices of pale yellow jube, all coated ■with sugar.

Then she told Sally lovely stories about fairies and goblins and giants and the enchanted mermaids who dwelt in a magic pool in the palace. She told her that she would take her to see Mother Goose and the Snow Queen and all the strange people who lived in tlio Enchanted Sky Land. "But you must promise to stay with me, little fjirl, and never ask to go back to the earth people again." "Oh! But I must go back to Jon and Mummy and Daddy," said Sally. "They would be just dreadfully lonely without me; 1 must go back now. See, it is getting dark and Mummy will be waiting to put me to bed." She started up, but the witch waved a little wand. Sally felt the cushions grow big and soft and she thought that she was in her own little bed with her mother kissing her and tucking her up. As she fell asleep the old woman gently lowered her on to the cushions anil kissed her softly. "Now, little Sally," she murmured, 1 shall have you always. I have long wanted a little (laughter with golden hair like yours." She stroked Sally's head. (To bo concluded)