The Proof

Southland Times, Issue 21832, 8 October 1932, Page 20

The Proof

Frederic Carstairs was a little boy who lived in a lane beside a large empty house, which he often wished was inhabited, because he had no playmates. One day a large van came and stopped outside the house next door. Furniture was unloaded and later a taxi stopped and a jolly-looking girl and two maids stepped out. Some weeks later, when Fred has made the acquaintance of the little next-door neighbour, Phyllis Denton, his father broke to him the news that he was going away for a long time to do some important business for his firm, and that Fred was to stay at the home of Phyllis Denton. Although he was sorry to have to say goodbye to his father, he was overjoyed at the prospect of living with Phyllis. One evening, about ten o’clock, Phyllis drew his attention to the long French window and showed him the ring of fairies dancing on the green springy turf. “Do you believe in fairies?” he asked, astonished.

“Yes,” said Phyllis, “and I think you ought to too!” Fred was so impressed by her earnestness that he decided to see these fairies for himself. He had read in books that there were fairies in flowers so one night he placed a ring of flowers—sweet-scented, yellow buttercups, red, flaming rata, and laughing, blood-red roses on the lawn, and hid in a clump of bushes close by. Just as midnight struck he seemed to hear some haunting fairly-like music coming from the glade opposite him. He saw some beautiful gauzy-winged pixies come trippingx daintily on to the grass. As they danced, the flowers seemed to move and another _ ring of fairies joined the first—this time out of the flowers he had placed on the grass. Suddenly, he saw some mushrooms spring up from the brownsweet brown earth, and he heard some fairy buglers piping loud and clear above the music and merrymaking. Feasting began and tiny goblets of buttercup wine were put upon the table by the goblin waiters, who were accompanied by the Gnome King’s herald, who proclaimed that the Queen had lost her violet and snowdrop crown, and that the finder was to be made Lord High Chamberlain in the palace. Everyone scattered like lightning, and the mushrooms and wine as ■well as the merry-makers disappeared. 'Fred rubbed his eyes, so dazzled was he by the sight he had just witnessed.

The next morning Fred related his adventures to Phyllis, and he said “I believe in Fairies, but not unless you had inspired me would I have found this out.’’

—Cousin Edith Mclnnes (12), 9 Duke street, Invercargill.