Olga and the Ogre.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue XVII, 24 October 1903, Page 61

Olga and the Ogre.

A TALE OF A SWING. “I say, are you kids ever coming down?” called out Neville, impatiently, irom the hall. •■Well, Fraulein’s doing my hair,” ame Olga’s voice from the upper re'ions, “and —Oo!” she called out loudly, as Fraulein gave a refractory knot a ;ood tug. “My overall’s so beastly starched that can’t get into it,” grumbled Duke, as ~e wrestled with the offending garment. ‘•Tuke! Tuke! you pull off all ze putons wen you do so!” cried Fraulein, s\ho, after giving Olga’s mane a last .ush, released her and went to Duke’s rescue. When they got to the swing, Neville, ,ho was thoroughly enjoying himself in id-air, called out: "I say, you can see into the old Ogre’s garden rippingly from here!” -Oh, #o let me see!” cried the twins together. •Get down, do, and let me have a turn,” begged Duke. So his elder broi her stopped, and soon the smaller boy Sf - likewise swinging high in the air. • What’s he doing?” inquired Olga. “Looks as if he was working some kicked spell,’ answered Duke, laughing. “Oh, 1 must see; and I’m sure it’s my turn now!” cried Olga, after a minute or two. She was soon hoisted up, and then vigorously pushed to and fro by Neville. “That’s lovely!” cried Olga. “Make me go a weeny bit higher, and then I can see right in.” So, puffing and blowing like a grampus, her brother gave the swing another tremendous push. “Now he’s coming into the garden!” she cried, excitedly. ‘And he’s looking at me! Oh! do let me down, he looks so fierce!” implored Olga. “All right, just one more go,” said Neville, who was a bit of a tease. The swing went still higher; then a shriek, a whizzing in the air, and a big bump on the other side of the fence, and the swing was empty. “Oh!” cried both boys together, in horror-struck tones. They could hear a little sobbing noise from the other garden, and, kneeling down on the ground, they put their heads close to the wooden partition, and Neville said, anxiousiy: “Ollie! Ollie! Are you hurt, old girl?” “N —not m —much,” came the tearful answer. “Shall I,” began Duke. Then, seeing through a crack in the fence a pair of legs coming across the lawn, he started ii! and cried: “Neville, it’s the Ogre! V, bat shall we do?” “We must tell father and go to the rescue!” said Neville, promptly. “Father,” cried Duke, excitedly, burstire int o tfo e study, “do come quickly, the Ogre’s got her!” Wes; and she’ll be so frightened,” mi led Neville. that on earth are you boys driving a!. ’ said father in perplexity. looking from one to the other. Then Neville explained, and father s’ i ted up and ran down to the garden, where he managed to climb on to the ng and so look over the fence. “She isn’t there now,” he said, getting n. “I’ll just go round to the house find out if she’s hurt or not.” - he two boys wandered disconsolately ut the garden, and five, ten, and r.ty minutes passed, and still no fair and no Olga. Do—do yicu think the Ogre’s locked ■u both up?” asked Duke, in a whis!n course he hasn’t, silly,” said Nevscornfully. 'list then voices were heard in the rawing-room, and they heard someone Dear me, what a nice garden!” It’s them!” cried the boys, and rushi towards the house. As they approached the French win--1 • ws of the drawing room, however, they ! "th stood as if struck dumb. There, sit- ' >ng on the Ogre’s knee, was Olga, talking and laughing as if nothing had happened; and the Ogre was actually talk•ng and laughing, too. ‘Come here and say ‘How do you do ?’

to Mr Marsden, boys!” called out father. Duke and Neville looked at each other, and then, advancing slowly, cautiouslyapproached “the “Ogre.” “Ah! these are the boys, are they?” said Mr Marsden. “Thev’re fine voung stere!” And he patted Neville on the shoulder. Then, taking hold of Duke's arm. he said: “Well, what do you think of the ‘Ogre’?” The two boys nearly gasped with fright; but a look at Olga’s blushing face told them the truth—that she had “let on.” “Mean little cat!” was Neville’s inward remark. “And aren’t you glad that your sister wasn’t hurt?” continued Mr Marsden, kindly, taking pity on the boy’s confusion, while his eyes twinkled with fun. Just then the tea bell rang, and the Ogre actually insisted on having tea with them all in the schoolroom, and begged Fraulein to give them an extra bit of eake for a treat. “Jolly old buffer!” ejaculated Neville, when the guest had departed. “A ripping good sort!” echoed Duke, “and ” “I should just think so,” interrupted Olga. “He was awfully nice to me when he carried me into the house, and he’s got the loveliest cherry-wine and cakes I ever tasted,” she added. “Yes, and we’re all to go and spend the afternoon there to-morrow. Pinpip!” “Three cheers for the Ogre!” cried Neville. Whereupon the children cheered so heartily that Fraulein was nearly deafened for life.