Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-08
NTA'S REWARD.
BY MINERVA SPENCER HANDY.

BY MINERVA SPENCER HANDY.
Zita was the only child of a woman. who.
too poor to own any goats herself earned
scant living tending the herds of her
neighbors. High up on the mountain side
was a humble cottage which these two
called their home. No home is too simple
that dreams Of future greatness may not
be dreamed there. and many were the
happy ones which Zita's mother wove about
her child Zita should not have such coarse
rough hands as she had. No. indeed.
Neither should her back be bent with the
burdens and hard work such as she bad
been compelled to perform. Zita should
go into the household of the king. there to
learn the ways of gentle folks. and when
she grew up to marry. perhaps a stable
man with work a-plenty and wages
enough to give her new frock at Christ
mas time.
How the pretty Zfta was to get into the
royal household was more than her good
mother knew. Zita herself when told of
these ambitions would tell her mother that
the way would be opened when the time
came. and bid her be content, for she was
still but child and not able to learn many
useful things yet.
One Saturday evening a neighbor, who
was prosperous enough to own a donkey
IL
ing to church on the morrow. AS Zita's
mother was very devout her daughter told
him Yes" whereupon he told them both
TO be ready by o'clock in the evening
Zita's mother was glad to be thus saved
the long walk and did not mind in the least
sitting all the night through on the steps
of the great cathedral. The sexton. how
ever. knew them and Hospitality told them
that he would leave the door leading to the
belfry open and IL they cared to they
could spend the night inside instead of out
side the building. Zita's mother thanked
him and on the steps they prepared to
spend the night In short time the regu-
lar breathing of her mother told Zita that
she was enjoying a restful sleep. Try as
she would her eyes opened wider and wild
er because of her unusual surroundings,
and hearing the soft Tapping of what
sounded like an imprisoned bird, Zita start
ed out 10 find out what caused the noise.
Up. up she climbed until her feet had
measured two hundred steps. She found
herself in the belfry OF the cathedral and
before her were bells of different sizes
giving out the different sounds-the must
cal chimes Of which the village people were
so Justly proud
Again and again the Tapping sounds con-
tinued When her eyes became so accus-
toned to the darkness. she saw that a pair
of beautiful white wings extended from
the sides of each bell. They were swaying
from side to side, but no sound other than
the motion of the wings was heard The
reason for this was that clfnging to the
clappeF of the bell white-clad fairy
swinging. looking like the pictures of
angels Vita had seen in the shop windows.
The largest of these angel-fairies addressed
her, saying:
"Zita. this is the night when the fairies
enter into the church bells. and if any one
Is willing 70 cling to the ring in the top
they may travel with US TO the realms
where the fairies dwell and as a reward
have the dearest wish of their heart graft
fed. Come. Do not fear. your trust in me
and what I tell you is the first thing nee
esSa ~S-
Before Zita realized It she was cinging
to the ring on top OF the bell and with
gentle swinging motion she was out OF the
belfry soaring through the village. high
over the heads Of the people and the houses
with the stars and breezes for company.
In a short while Fairyland was reached,
which was so wonderful and beautiful that
Zita was dazzled All she remembered was
that as they passed other churches they
were Joined BY other bells, white winged
as was hers, and Clinging to each was
man. woman or perchance brave-hearted
boy or girl. Each was told that as a re-
ward for their faith they should have their
dearest wish granted. The queen herself
asked what these wishes might be and Zita
confessed that hers was that some day she
might be permitted to enter the service OF
the king-in a very humble capacity. OF
course.
When Zita's mother awoke at sunrise the
next morning Zita was by her side, with
nothing to suggest the nlght pllerifldse'
except the radiaEtly peaceful ana content
ed expression on her face.
The week following Zita was alone on
the mountain side. alone with nothing but
her thnnghts for company She heard a
slight scratching at her feet, and. on look
ing down discovered what had caused It.
There standing upright with bushy tail
erect was the handSOmest squirrel she had
ever seen. Zta was familiar with the COM
mon SQUIRRELS but she knew that the one
haF Har something
from them. His eyes sparkled with intelli-
gencc and instead of running away from
her he showed the greatest desire to come
closer to her Zita gathered him in her
arms. and. smuggling close to his soft silky
fur. murmured. You dear. darling little pet!
I believe the fairies sent you TO me so that
I would not be lonesome when mother is
away all day. How did you ever get here?
There are no trees for sou to live in no
nuts FOR you to feed upon
The squirrel did not seem to concern him
self with these questions. All he cared for
was that he had found a loving little girl
for a mistress, one who shared her food and