Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1901-10-24
The Daily Short Story
MADELETTE


the lake near the waterfall. AS she
approached the bank she looked mus
ingly a long time at the water-deep.
clear, tumultuous-fOr Madelette was
| the daughter OF a water elf, and the
| fury of the cataract was to her sweet
music. She disrobed. placed her dainty
clothes under a willow tree. and splash
| ing gayly into the lake swan from end
To- eud as easily and gracefully as
swan. For whole hour she played
In the running water. unconscious of
| everything save that she was very
happy.
After she had enjoyed herself for
| awhile she returned 10 the bank. for it
| was now late and that evening she was
| going 10 the ball OF Titania. But alas.
the crafty wind. like thief. had car
ried the clothes away ON his wing. and
AIadelette searched for them in vain.
She was angry when she heard the de-
| ceitful breeze rustling the branches
overhead, happy to see her so beauti-
| full and white and laughing mockingly
| as il To applaud the success of its trick.
| But her anger did not bring back the
clothes. and il was cruel for the gentle
bather to have To so through the fields
as little dressed a lily. Truly. she
was very much ashamed. and she felt
a great chagrin also as she thought OF
the dance. for il is not customary for
young girls To- go To Il dance without
any robe. But happily along the path
she came Ia an old tree with large
smooth leaves on il.
Take one OF my branches, poor little
girl said the tree. and make yourself
n dress OF my foliage
Madelette chose the branch thickest
with leaves, but try as she would she
rould not make them stay on her skin
They fell to the earth. although they
would gladly have remained attached
to so pretty snowy white body. Mad
elette in despair continued her walk.
carrying the branch with her. AT Al
turn OF the lane she saw thornbush.
which seemed to realize at once the
trouble she was i'm.
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 upc-S
the sharp points and tried To force one
OF them in her soft skin 50 as to hold
the tickle leaves. But at the first trial
n drop OF blood rose on the thorn, and
she gave Il cry of pain.
And then the Virgin Mary. not wish
Ing that the young girl should go about
nike that, let fall from her celestial
diStaff some threads OF cotton right ut
the feet Of the distressed little one.
Madelette picked them up eagerly, seat
ed herself on the bank of a stream and
in less time than il would take the
wind TO strip the leaves off a trembling
rose she had made herself robe bril-
liant the corselet of a beetle. The
thorns were good needles. the thread |
of the Virgin held delightfully."- the |
leaves together. and what better Thin |
bic could one wish than the egg of IL |
little bird: Madelette now went on |
entirely happy and very proud OF her |
new toilet.
File, fie." Missed sharp voice which /
came from down there under a wild /
rose bush, upon the blunderer who |
would go to the ball of Titania with |
out a necklace
Pretty serpent OF green and gold"
said Madelette, will you he my neck
lace!"
Very willingly" replied the serpent.
Madelette picked him up from under |
the flowers and placed him on her |
shoulder, and then the cool, glit;pring
thing wrapped itself gently around the
warm neck OF the young girl.
''Oh. Madeletter' cried some shining
glOwworms. You would go to the
dance with no jewels in your ears
Come here, then cried Madelette
and she hung from each of her ears
beautiful living ruby.
Thus gayly attired MadeIette went to
the ball OF Titania. The little fairies
danced under the shade of the great
trees, and Madelette was so pretty in
her splendid 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 green
and gold close to the ear OF the child.
But the blushing young girl paid no
heed TO this remark.
Sweet one sighed the king during
the waltz, lit is late, and If you only
say it 1 will go and await you down
there. aud we shall be married"
Il should like it well, my lord" said
Madelette.
do not CO." came the piercing wills
per of the serpent when the waltz was
finished. But Madelette pretended not
10 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 dart
ed Overwhelmingly in the air.
Madelette felt her living collar tight
IN, but so Joyous was she at the
,hought OF being married TO the king OF ,
The gnomes that she did not realize :
what IL meant. ]
my lord" said she TO the king, Z
speak to me of love, and will give
Tou my little finger to kiss
AT that instant they heard a keen