THE LAST OF THE GNOMES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XI, Issue 44, 4 November 1893, Page 383

THE LAST OF THE GNOMES.

A FAIRY STORY. In a certain field, on a clear, bright night, all the imps and gnomes were collected together—to discuss some matter of importance was evident from their looks and gestures. One in particular seemed very excited, for he occasionally raised his voice and stamped his foot with rage. * I ask you all to take heed to what I say, you of the Silver Lake especially, for if the mortal hoy discovers our secrets, we shall be destroyed for ever.’ ‘ What is that you say, my lord ?' asked a new comer. • Have you not heard, your Majesty, that a sinful boy has been listening to a conversation between my lords of Hard Oak and Silver Lake? We are afraid he may have overheard some valuable information.’ ‘ Well, the only thing to do is to capture him as soon as possible, and imprison him in the Audience Hall beneath the oak,’ replied his Majesty. *lt shall be done to-morrow night, yonr Majesty. No doubt he will come to see us.’ • Very well. Now we have finished our discussion, we had better sup and dance,’ the King remarked.

On the following night the gnomes were assembled in the meadow early, waiting for the boy to arrive. ‘ My Lord Tempest, is that the boy over yonder you referred to ?’ asked his Majesty. • Yes, your Highness. See, he is advancing towards us,’ responded the tempestuous lord. • What are your wishes as regards him ?’ he added. • Seize and blindfold him at once, and convey him to the hall. Then we will detain him until he swears never to reveal aught of what he has seen or heard.’ When the boy found himself suddenly seized and blindfolded, he was very much surprised, not to say frightened, as he had not seen anything, but had come out in hope of seeing the fairies, while his sister was giving a party. In another minute the child found himself being hurried along over styles and dykes, and down some steps. When the bandage was removed from his eyes he saw a spacious room with a lot of queer little people sitting round a sort of throne on mushrooms covered with fawn-coloured velvet, or stuff that looked like it. On the throne was seated a gnome, rather taller than the rest, with dark curls on his shoulders, and a golden crown on his bead ; he wore a seagreen doublet, and hose of plush, with scarlet satin shoes finished with gold buckles. ‘ Bring the boy forward, my Lord Tempest,’ said the King. ‘By what name are you called, child,’ the King then demanded. • My name is Ralph Yorke, your Majesty,’ the boy replied. ‘ Ralph Yorke, how came you to be listening to a conversation between my Lords of Silver Lake and Hard Oak ?’ asked the King, sternly. • I have read of you in my books, so I came out last night when the others were asleep, to see if you leally did appear and dance at night. It was quite by accident I overheard the lords talking,’ responded Ralph, appearing very brave, but inwardly shaking with fright. ‘ What did you hear, Ralph Yorke,’ questioned His Majesty. • I decline to say,’ Ralph replied. • Will you promise never to repeat what you heard ; if so, you shall be taken back the same way as you came, unharmed ; if not, you remain with us until you give your word.’ Ralph was silent. He had not made up his mind. It would be hard to go home and not tell anyone about the adventure ; on the other hand, it would be awkward to stay there quietly while his people were searching the house and grounds for him. Anyway, something might turn up, so he would wait. ‘ Well, boy, will you promise ?’ the King asked. • No, your Majesty, 1 will not,’ Ralph replied. ‘ Then you will stay with us until you do.’ So saying the King rose, and remarked to the gnomes, ‘ We will now repair to the ring. Blindfold the boy again, good people, and bring him with us. The gnomes caught up Ralph, and carried him up the steps and across the fields as before, set him down and untied the bandage. Then the musicians struck up ; they were playing one of his sister’s pieces, * The Imps’ Revels.’ The gnomes whirled round with Ralph so fast that he was flung violently down, and as he lay on the ground, halfdazed, he saw a slip of white paper, so, snatching it hastily and thrusting it into his pocket, he remembered no more until he found himself in the hall again, alone. He immediately pulled the paper from his pocket, and read as follows :—

‘ Ralph Yorke, pass your hands over the right side of the hall hung with green plush till you feel a button, press it, and a panel will swing back, leaving an aperture large enough for you to crawl through. Do not forget to shut it after you, and do not attempt to go out by the entrance, for Black-phiz guards the doorway, and if he hears a sound he will call the others at once, so that all chance of destroying the dark gnomes will be lost for ever. When you get outside, go as quickly as you can to the Silver Lake ; overhanging it you will see Drab Willow, climb up, and put your hand down the hollow trunk, and yon will find a bag, which, if in possession of the Naiad of the Lake (the same which you heard the two lords speak of), contains a charm to extinguish the race of the wicked gnomes. Go at once,

for the gnomes may return at any minute. I know you will not read this till you are back in the ball. ‘ Mab, Queen of Fairyland.’

Acting upon the instructions, Ralph pulled aside the hangings, found the button, pressed it, and the panel opened. He crept through, and when he had shut it, nothing could be seen but the bark of the tree, so he started in the direction of the lake. When he arrived at the willow overhanging the water, he mounted the tree and put his hand down the trunk. At first he could not feel anything, but after fumbling in the leaves for some minutes, he drew out a metal bag of peculiar workmanship. Ualph went to the edge of the water and called out, ‘ Naiad of the Lake, accept this bag, which will put an end to the gnomes,’at the same time throwing the nag into the water. He waited a minute and saw the eddies made by the bag form into some sentences—‘The gnomes will not be seen on eaith again. Never try to discover the oak you were imprisoned in, for your effects will be fruitless—Naiad of the Lake.’ Ralph rubbed his eyes and looked again, but the water was perfectly smooth. ‘ Well,' the boy thought, ‘ it’s no good staying here, I may as well go home. I’ll go across the fields, I think.’ At first the boy thought of going back to see if he could find the oak ; but, on second consideration, he found it would be utterly impossible, as there was nothing to distinguish the tree from its fellows, and as he climbed the gate leading into the bouse grounds, Ralph resolved to have as little to do with hollow oaks as possible, although he had seen the last of the gnomes.

Z. E. S. Boss.