The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-06-04
MADELETTE.

In the dornitory, where some little girls
were sleeping swestly and others lay
dreaming half awake EHmeline suddenly
started up.
Ara you asleep, Bertha. my sweet
oneg'
met yet" came the response from the
bed by her side In a soft voice.
Then In toll you an awful story that
a little fairy dressed in satin and gold told
me Just now while 1 was asleep.
There was a pretty young girl named
Madelette, and as it was very warm she
thought she would 90 and battle in the
lake near the waterfall. AS she approach
ed the bank she looked musingly long
time at the wateT-deep, clear, 6umultu-
ous-for MadeIette was the daughter Of a
water elf, and the fury Of the cataract was
to her sweet music She disr0bed placed
her dainty clothes under willow tree, and
splashing gayly into the lake swan from
end to end as easily and gracefully a
swan. Fer a whole hour she played in the
running water unconscious of everything
save that she was very happy, and laugh
ing as the fresh life Of the water sank in
her soft skin.
After she had enjoyed herself for awhile
she returned TO the bank, for it was get
ting late and that evening she was going
to the ball Of Titania But alas the crafty
wind, like a thief, had carried the clothes
away on his wing, ard Madelette searched
for them In vain. She was angry when
she heard the deceitful breeze rus5ling the
branches overhead, happy to see her so
beautiful and white and laughing mock
ingIy as if to applaud the success of its
trick. But her anger did not bring back
the clothes, and it was cruel for she gentle
bather to have to go through the fields ms
little dressed as q lily Truly, she was
very much ashamed, and she felt a great
chagrin also as she thought OF the dance,
for it is not customary for young girls to
20 TO a dance without any robe. But hap
PLY along the path she came to an old tree
with large smooth leaves on it.
Take one of my branches, poor little
girl, = said tho tree, and make yourself a
dress of my foliage.
BEadeletta chose the branch thiolzest with
leaves, but try as she would she could not
make them stay On her skin. They fell to
the earth, although shey would gladly have
remained attached to SO prefty snowy white
q body Madslette in despair continued
her walk carrying the branch with her.
At a turn of the lane she saw a thorn
bush. which seemed to realize at once the
trouble she was in.
My sister, % said the kind shrub. take
some Of my thorns, and they will serve
you as pins to fasten your gown"
The fingers Of Madelette seized upon TIE
sharp points and uried to force one Of them
in her soft skin SO as to hold the hcklo
leaves. But at the first trial drop Of
blood rose on the thorn, and she gave a
cry of pain
And then the Virgin Mary, not wishing
that the young girl should 60 about like
that, lot fall from her celestial distan some
threads of Ootton right at the feet of the
distressed little one. Aadelebte picked
them up eagerly, seated herself on the
bank Of q stream and In less time than it
ia fnav
a trembling rose she had made herself a
robe brilliant as the ooraslet of q beetle.
The thorns were good noodles, the thread
of the Virgin held delightfully."- the leaves
together, and what better thimbIe could
one wish than tbe egg Of a little birdf
Madelette now went On entirely happy
and very proud Of her new toilet.
File, 6g, Kissed a sharp voice, which
came from down there under a wild rose
bush, upon the blunderer who would go
to the ball Of Titnnia without a neck
lacel"
Pretty serpent Of green and gold, - said
Madslst6e, will you be my neckIaCsf'
'sYery willingly 50 replied the serpent.
Madslette picked him up from under the
flowers and placed him on her shoulder,
and chen the cool, glittering thing wrapped
itself gently around the warm neck Of the
young girl
'Oh, Madelettep cried some shining
GLOW worms on would 20 90 the dance
with no jewels in your ears. -
Come here, then Dried 11adelette, and
she hung from each OF her ears a beautiful
living ruby
Thus gayly attired Afadelette went to
the ball Of Titania. The little fairies
danced under the shade OF the great trees,
and Madslette was so pretty in her SPLEEN
did costume that the king of the gnOmes,
who had been invited to the fete fell in
love with her.
He invited her to dance.
Refuse said the serpent, moved by
jealousy and putting its head Of groen and
gold close TO the ear OF tho child. But the
blushing young girl paid no heed to this
remark.
Sweet one, % sighed the king during
the waltz sit is late, and If you only say
it viii 60 and await you down there, and
We shall DO married
Il should Like it well, my lord, - said
Madelette.
DO not go, % came che piercing whisper
Of the serpent when the waltz was finished.
But Madeletto pretended not to have heard,
and seeing that the king now started out
she went below and found him awaiting
her
Take care, cried the serpent, and
opening his little mouth his fangs darted
overwhelmingly In the air.
h4adelebte felt her living collar tighten,
but SO joyous was she at the thought OF
being married to the king Of the gnOmes
that she did not realize what it meant.
My lord, p said she to the king, speak
to me Of love. and VIII give you my lit
tie finger to kiss
At that instant they heard q keen hiss.
Madslatte turned pale, and suddenly with
a moan dull and brief she fell down there
at the feet Of the king, angled-dead.
The serpent stole away through the grass
and the king Of the gnomes returned to
the ball to search for another bride.
Ny dear Emmeline," said Bertha,
ltthat means THAT vonr ERaddina dress wiz