FROM A WELLINGTON WINDOW.

Otago Witness, Issue 2397, 8 February 1900, Page 61

FROM A WELLINGTON WINDOW.

Dear Dot,— A happy New Year, and many thanks for forwarding cards. I could not darj to face you again after all the trouble I have given you with them, only for the nice things that have been said about me lately, which has made me grow more bold. Next year I shall have to take 8.0.8.'s stand and send out none. Through your courtesy, I have to acknowledge the return of Christmas greetings from Alys, C. C. M., Cherryripe, Coralie, Cuckoo, Cynthia, Dockleaf, Dorothy, Dunedinite, Echo and Little Lady, Jealousy, Maidey, Marguerite, Miss Muffet, Moki, Mona, Pauline, Phoebe, Roby, Boy, Harry, Punch, pnd Solomon Slow, not forgetting Old Boy's kindly letter, nor those who coupled Monica's nrme with mine. Their tokens of goodwill are highly treasured and guarded with 3ea!ous care. No, Wullie, I did not see such a boy as you describe " from my wee bit window," though I saw a boy, the perfect model of neatness, looking in a jeweller's window that contained a brooch — a silver bar with a thistle, and strange coincidence, it is gone now. Let me know when you come this way again and I shall be on the gui vive. Will you verify what a little bird whispered to me at the window? — that the farfamed Ziska has written a story and you are illustrating it. Maisie calls me " dear old Shan." Of course, I take it as a term of endearment, as I am nearer 15 than 50. So that you shall not be left out in the cold, I am sending you another card. Eeally, it was too bad of Eqxxobel. I am sure it would he a very newly-married couple that could be on such amicable terms as Monica and I. Sometimes we play at being married and keep house, Monica is then the mother and I'm the father. Like Benedick, " I will live a bachelor.'' The photos, at Easter are a good idea, but what a task you set vs — vote for only three! Why it should be 12. (Do not take any notice of this, Dot, for if you gave us the world, we'd want the moon.) I did not know what to do, so consulted Monica, two heads being better than one. We took 12 visiting cards, wrote on each the name of a correspondent whose photo, has not yei appeared. Then put them in a hat, gave them a good shake. Monica stood on tiptoe, held the hqj- above her head, and I drew out three cards — .Echo, Dunedinite, and Marguerite. I hope no one will vote for me, because the idea of you having lo make a block for me would never let me rest, or would haunt me in my troubled slumber. Maidey's detective has evidently not discovered me yet. To be successful, she will have to come and search for herself. I can look a detective straight in the face and not blink, whereas, were I confronted by the young and charming Maidey (vide photo.), conquest would be inevitable. A carnival, to be hold on the 20th Febuiary, in aid of a fund to assist New Zealanders injured, or those dependent on them, in the Transvaal war. is being arranged for by Lady Douglas. His Excellency the Governor has given the use of Government House grounds for the occasion, and one of the attractions is to be the performance of "A Midsummer Night's Dream. ' Given fine weather, and apart from the worthy object, the carnival Bhould be a success. Another contingent of Zealandia's brave sons has departed for South Africa. Swayed by patriotism they have gone to face the perils and hardships that lie beyond the broad expanse of sea, and there are many aching hearts in the peaceful land our soldier lads have left behind them. The flower of our youth have bra-vely gone to the aid of New Zealand's alma mater — Great Britain. You have shared our joys and sorrows, you have hare shared our bed and board, Our hands in fight and friendship felt; Good-bye! Good luck be with you, and the glory of the Lord, Through the rattle of the rifles on the veldt. •—Yours truly, SHAN. G-lcnmain, Wellington, January 31.