Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-01-31

the Others.
"I'm afraid not" said Edith. "Pll |
take it, anyway, cause then I'll be
sure"
She picked the chicken up tenderly
and carried it over the long field back
to the coop In the yard. and was award
ed by the contented little chirp which
it made as she put it down and it saw
safety and rest under its mothers wing
close by. AS she walked back, she saw
the sun just taking Its last dip below
the horizon. "Ah!" she thought, show
l wish could see fairy"
That night she slept soundly, tired
out, until about eleven o'clock, when
she woke up. quite wide awake in one
minute. The moon was shining quite
bright. the old, tall clock down stairs
struck eleven, and she thought: Gag
mes said that they'll dance to-nsgh ght.
I'll go and see. It can do no harm"
She got up and slipped her clothes on
quietly, careful not to disturb Mary,
who slept in little bed close by; for
she thought: "Mary would laugh at
me. She doesn't believe in them
Presently she crept barefooted down
the stairs There was not sound to
be heard, except the ticking of the
clock and the beating of her heart.
She looked into the parlor as she pass
ed. How strange and odd and silent
everything looked The dog lying in
the hall got up and shook himself and
tried to 90 out with her, as she unfas-
tened the door and softly undid the
chain bolt But she whispered to him:
"Lie down. You would frighten them,
dear Lion"
Half afraid, half eager, she crept
across the long field, which was made
light by the white moonlight that she
could see cobwebs on the grass all gilt
tering with dewdrops. AS she came
nearer to the place where the ring was.
she saw plainly many little figures NOV
ing around something in the centre of
it, which was white and round. When
she was very close to them they seemed
to be alarmed and a voice from among
them said: '.Some mortal is near US,
brother, for our table has stopped grow
ing, which it can do only when looked
upon by mortal eyes. Let us hide
quickly"
They started to run, when one of the
little figures stepped forward and cried
"Stop! it is she to whom We belong
and you must stay"
Astonished at his words, Edith drew
step or two nearer, and looked closely
and curiously upon them. She had but
one instant before she was interrupted
but in that one look she saw sigh
that was forever impressed upon he
memory. There were, as l have sale
before. many little figures standing be
fore her, but everyone among them, with
out exception, was in some way deform
ed. and their clothes were, as a genera
thing, of a dull, dingy gray, much soil
ed and torn. This was by ro mean
her idea of what fairies were or wha
they ought to be; for she had Away
imagined them gay and beautiful littl
creatures. with happy faces. with n
cares and no sorrows, and nothing to d
forever and ever but to dance and sim
and swing in lily beds. But these ha,
sad faces, snd they had not been dane
ing when she first saw them. but wer
moving in melancholy way aroun
something, which she, as she looked
discovered to be a mushroom. Blu
!. what has taken me some time to tell sh
saw almost at glance for the little on
who had stepped forward and spoke
!, approached still nearer to her feet. an
dofiing his mite of cap. and lookin
: up said. IL expected you tonight, fo
, you made wish and you did a kin
, act at the setting of the sun on the mid
r summer day. Therefore you see you
wish has been granted
Ill do not understand" said Edit
STOPPING down, the better to see the Ii
| tie creature.
: "Put your hand down." he said, ian
let me step on it. Then ] can talk
you more easily"
S She put her hand down into tt
o grass and he stepped upon it, and ST
lifted him up on level with her fac
e Then she looked at him. By the ligl
of the moon she could see him distinc
/ ly. He had a young face, and kir
D and good one; but one arm hung us
less and withered by his side, and Of
J. foot was twisted in way which W
painful to see. His dress was of
:. grayish white, sadly torn, and soiled
y many places. but it was made of sor
}. exquisitely fine stuff, and there was go
It embroidery on the hem.
d "Who are you % said Edith. "Tt
! me your name and all about yourse
}. and who those others are"
d "My queen," said the fairy with