Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-01

down the steps came the figure of beauti-
ful fairy, dressed in silvery white dress,
and wearing upon her head tiny crown
set with jewels. The fairy glided down the
airy stairway. walked several steps into the
forest, gathered a few flowers, and then re-
turned as she had come.
LET us follow her. whispered Walter,
and already he had his foot or the 6rst step;
but at that moment the sexton's voice was
heard calling, "Lorle! Walter l'' and in a
short time the children were safe at home.
The next evening, when the moon shone
down upon the little cottage where the old
sexton lived, Walter whispered to his sister:
"Lorie, am going into the forest to find the
fairy"
"Oh, Walter, DO not do that" said his
sister; father would not allow it, and the
Fairy may be wicked and cruel, and might
not let You return to us.
The boy made no reply to these words; but
silently determined that he would seek the
silver stairway, leading to the moon. That
night Lorle did not fall asleep as readily as
usual. She felt anxious about her brother,
and several times crept to bis bedside to see
II he were sleeping. But the boy lay so still
that the kind sister soon forgot her fears
and slept quietly until morning. When
she awakened the first sound she heard was
her father calling for Walter, and when no
answer was made to the call Lorle felt sure
that her brother had gone in search of the
Fairy, wno lived in the moon. And this
indeed was the case. Little Walter was no.
where to be found; and those, who at first
laughed about Lorie's story of the stairs
leading to the moon, were now forced to
think that the sexton's son had sought the
home of the Fairy, and either forgotten his
friends, or was unable to return to them.
The sexton aud his daughter were sorely
grlved over the loss OF little Walter, and for
davs continued their search for him; but
finally, thinking that ne was lost, they gave
up all hope of seeing him again.
One night, when the sexton went as usual
to the church to ring the bell Lorle, being
afraid to stay alone in the house. stole after
her father, intending to wait for him in the
churchyard. AS the little girl sat in the
shadow of the great building she saw
small, white figure glide before her and
hasten toward to the forest
''That is the moon Fairy" thought Lorle;
'I must overtake her and learn where
Walter is"
The little girl quickly followed the white
figure, and lust as the Fairy was entering
the forest LorIe seized her dress and cried:
"Please, good Fairy, tell me where my
brother ;s?''
The Fairy turned around, but there was NO
kindly smile on her beautiful face, and her
fair brow was drawn by an angry frown.
How do know where your brother is?'
she asked.
He went in search of your silver stair
way, replied Lorle, land he never came
back. 1 am sure that you know where be
is"
'1s your brother that great awkward boy
who ran up my steps and broke them nearly
all2' ssked the Fairy. ''Then he deserves to
be where he is; but If you want to take him
home you have MY permission to do so.
First, you must help me gather some fow-
ers"
''Haye you no flowers in the moon?"
asked Lorle.
'No," was the reply; "nor trees, nor
grass, and it is cold, very cold there,e
When large bunch of flowers had been
gathered the Fairy said: "Since your
brother broke my steps, have to ride
homa." Then she cried: "Come, Condo, 1
am ssaiting for you."
And immediately large bird with red
feathers and green eyes came flying through
the air.
snow. Condo, said the fairy. "after you