THE TELL – TALE OF ST. BETTELEY’S.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18629, 26 July 1930, Page 12

THE TELL - TALE OF ST. BETTELEY’S.

“Why. what’s the matter, Cicely? You look terribly worried,” said a tall, good-looking girl called Angela Bell who always prided herself about her looks. There was no other girl at St. B;tteley’s as pretty as she and she l knew it. too. She was not very popu- | lar because she was considered the > “tell-tale” of the school. It was because of this that Cicely Smith did not want | to tell the trouble. t ' “Oh! Just something.” she answered, j “This is just a special thing for only two persons.” “Well why not let me know? I am j sure I can keep a secret. You may ( take my word I wouldn’t tell,” said I Angela.

“How many times have you said that and then broken your word?” asked Cicely. “I’m likely to tell a person who always tells, aren't I!”

“If you do not want my advice you may as well get someone else’s.” Having spoken these words Angela crossly left the room. Cicely had a very special chum named Betty Dixon and the paii- of them were very popular. Everybody was on their side when Cicely and Betty were in need of help. While Cicely was standing thinking her chum entered the room. The troubled look left her face and she gave Betty a smile. As she caught Betty by the arm she gave it an affectionate squeeze and said,

“I say, old girl, I’ve just been thinking something out and I want you to help me. It’s this. The other day when we were coming home from shopping I heard a low moan coming from the cave fn the rocks. I didn't say anything about it to the others, but it kept making me think that a person was there. Last night I went down to the cave and again heard those low moans. I felt like running away, but for some reason or other I coughed, and then heard a painful voice say, 'ls—there —anybody—there?’ You may well imagine what a fright I received; but I entered the cave and could find nothing. I returned to school,” she concluded, “and I do wish that you would help me to find that person.” She ended the story quite out of breath. Betty gave the girl beside her a hug and answered, “Of course I’ll help you, old chum. I propose we go to-night, when everybody is asleep. What say you?” Cicely answered with a nod.

That night the two searched the cave and were just about to leave when they heard a gruff weak voice say, “Here I am.” The girls found a man tied down by ropes, lying just about at their feet. After cutting his ropes they heard his story of how he had caught two ruffians thieving, and while he was out for a walk next day they caught him, bound him and left him in the cave. The man. having thanked them very much, left them. The girls were leaving when they were met at the mouth of the cave by Angela Bell. Each girl gave a gasp as they met. Angela told them how she had overheard their conversation, had kept their secret, and wished they

would become friends. Next day saw Angela, Cicely and Betty going about arm in arm, none the worse for the adventure in the cave the night before. All the girls wondered what had struck the chums, but because of them everybody grew to like Angela who was no longer called the “Tell-tale of St. Betteley’s.” (5 Marks and a Merit Card awarded to “Will O’ the Wisp,”—Alma Stowell, Pareora West, aged 13) PEGGY AND THE LADY MOON. Peggy was a little girl who lived with her grandmother in a pretty cottage in the forest. One night when Peggy was in bed. she heard a clear, sweet voice singing, and a lovely fairy lady flew in at the window. The lady wore a long pale yellow dress and a silver cloak. In her hand, she held a silver wand, while in her golden hair a silver crescent moon glistened. She was followed by twenty smaller fairies, who wore yellow dresses and had stars in their hair. They all flew round Peggy’s bed, while the lady lifted her gently into her arms, and flew with her out the window. Up, up, they went, until they reached a castle of shining silver. Then the fairy took Peggy inside. “I am the Lady Moon, and this is my palace,” she said. She feasted Peggy with fairy foods, and showed her all through the palace. After that Peggy played with the stars until it was almost light, when the Lady Moon called her, and said, “I hope you have enjoyed yourself, Peggy I will take you to your home now*.” Then down they flew once more to the little cottage in the forest. (I Mark and a Merit Card awarded to “Dreamaway”—Beatrice McCahon, Dunedin, aged 12.)

THE MILL’S SECRET.

John and Veima ran down to the little village store with some eggs for their mother. On the way back John said to Verna, “When we get home I am going to ask if we can go to the old mill.” “Can we go to the old mill for a game?” they asked wJien they reached home. “Yes, if you are not .too long,” replied mother. She watched them run down the lane until they >vere hidden by some tall poplar trees •with their waving leaves. As soon as they reached the mill, John said to Verna. “Will you get that log over there?” “Alright,” replied Verna. Then they pushed the door open together. They ran up a flight of narrow stairs until they reached the top, then Verna called out,

“The river is rising and we will have to tell the manager of the new mill over there.” But he was not at home, so they played about for an hour. Then the manager came over, for he had come home and seen them. By that time they had fourad a big chest of money. They took it to the Post Office in London and were told that it had belonged to an old miser who had died a year ago. Half tlae money was divided amongst the p oor and half went to their mother. ;3o they often went for picnics in the old mill. (1 Mark and a Merit Cacd awarded to “Honeysuckle Fairy”—Jean Grant, Timaru, aged 10.)