The San Francisco call., 1896-05-03
What Flora Saw When in Search O.
the Fairies.
Continued from last week.


Continued from last ueek,
The next morning Flora was again
ready to go in search of the fairies. She
told her mother that she felt quite sure
that the birds could have enlightened her,
as they travelled great deal, and, if they
but used little observation, ought to
know considerable about the world. "But,
mamma, i have been reading up the sub
ject again, and l find that flowers are a
favorite haunt of these dainty creatures.
fairies dances on the fiower-uops, without
iniuring them in the least, and frequently
we read of their sleeping in gently waving
fragrant blossoms, and many other pretty
tales in which fairies and flowers are asso-
ciated."
Her mother approved the plan of search
ing among flowers for the Elusive crea-
lures, so Carlo and she again started forth,
this time taking the hillside as the scene
of her search.
"Here are bright yellow poppies," she
exclaimed. surely their golden cups are
fit abodes for queens:
Flora approached with considerable
awe, go sure was she that she had found
her desire at this first step. Bowing be-
fore this gem of flowers she whispered,
'.Oh beautiful eschscholtzia. can YOU tell
me where dwells the queen of fairies?"
She listened long for an answer. but the
only sound she heard was the throbbing OF
her own little heart. Carlos low whine
finally caused her to arise. Giving him a
hug for his sympathy they again resumed
their search.
II see the purple Larkspur. Maybe the
fairies come hither to secure dye for their
royal robes. We can but fail. so I shall
again try my luck.
"Then l shall seek yonder sweet pea,
u ~ Irsf i
fully deck their summer bowers
Flora was obllsed TO turn away from
both of these unsatislied, but Just then she
thought of little flower, veritable fairy
itself, ana happy smile lighted her sweet
face.
Trudging along, she soon espied it, hid
den among the grass, the dear little yellow
and black blossom. "Ah, here you are,
my Johnny Jump-Up.'
"Can you tell me anything concerning
the whereabouts of the fairy folk?'
In vain she waited for an answer, but
none came.
"Carlo, even my dearest little wood
friend has failed me-" she said, with
sigh. as she turned away.
"Well, let US rest awhile under this
spreading buckeye before we proceed fur.
ther up the hill, and while we do so we
NAV hear or see something of importance
Why, this may be the very spot where they
hold high carnival, so let US search for
footprints.
"I have new scheme. Carlo, suppose
you try your luck. Ask that beautiful
wild rose 10 tell us of the midnight festiyi-
ties here held forth. Ah, there now, !
have crushed that dainty little sisyrin-
chum and it might have told me much "
Carlo begged to be excused, with plead
ing look and low bark, as much as to say
II came only as protector, not as spokes-
man."
After few moments rest the little girl
felt impatient to be off, and as she and
Carlo ascended the hill they came to bed
of pretty creamcups. So delighted was
Flora with their delicate beauty that for
an instant she forgot all about fairies and
their abode. but only for moment. Lean
ing over the dainty flowers she begged
them to tell her if they were not cup-bear-
ers to the elves and fays.
As the gentle wind went floating by
they nodded their heads in assent, but no
further information could the child OBJ
tain. 81 shall try Just once more" and
she started in search of little sylvan
friend which she knew was likely to be
found In the shade of the majestic oak on
the brow of the hill. There you are, my
sweet, sweet baby -blue-eyes Surely you
will not disappoint me-"
Then kneeling confidingiy beside them
she asked her oft-repeated question in
caressing tones. But, alas, even the
Nemophila seemed in league with the
fairies to keep their secrets from this earn
est child.
"Come, Carlo, it is perfectly useless for
US to spend more time to-day. l think
the flowers might really give us some in
formation, yet [ must say | respect them
for their fidelity. Tomorrow we shall try
again to ascertain the whereabouts OF
these little elves" ALICE SILL.
Concluded nezt Sunday.)