Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1905-12-29

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peasant maid, as she
&MGHK&% trudged home, bearing her
bundle of faggots upon her head. If
only / could weave the snow into fair
garments with which to clothe my
body, how happy should be! See,
there it lies, covering the ground with
its white embrace, and looking more
beautiful than any material mortal
hands can make; and yet it is useless
to me.'
AS the girl spoke she drew down her
load, and, gathering large handful of
the soft fakes, she looked at it cur
iously; but in a few seconds she threw
them from her in terror, for the cold
white snow had become massed to-
gether, and now showed itself to be
a wee white man, who chuckled at
her discomfort before he spoke.
''Ha, har' he cried, ''you are indeed
fortunate girl! You have only to
express a wish once, and it is graft
fed" f
"a wishw gasped Lula. in terror.
"What do you mean" lE+
Ibid 1 not hear you desire to use
the snow as a garment? he asked.
''You thought the snowfiakes would
make fascinating costume a little
while ago." he reminded her. Have
you forgotten what you said?"
mo, no." she replied nervously; 'but
you cannot help me in this, 1 am
sure"
ooh, there you are wrong" was the
reply. "Henceforth the power shall be
yours to mould the snow into any
shape you want. At your bidding it
shall form your dresses, your home,
and everything you require. There is
nothing you cannot have made in pure,
white snow. But you do not seem
very content. What is the matter
now?"
''You forget" said Lula, chat the
snow melts in due season, and then
where would go the pretty white
things you speak of? How all the
villagers would mock when my snow
frock began to melt, and the beautiful
home you describe thawed and fell
about my ears. am tired of this old
red skirt and shawl, it is true. but it
is better than the coverings of which
you speak"
NO." said the wee white man; 81 am
one of the few Frost FAIRIES left in the
world. The mild winter has driven
many of US away; but am still here,
and willing to give you the power !
possess Hencafrth you wiz dhAable
to do as you wish with the snowdakes.
They will be your servants, to be COM
manded in every way. None will.
guess. your secret, and you will be
envied above ALL"
Lula could hardly believe thestruth
of this statement, and stood looking
at her new friend very suspiciously.
You don't believe me-" he said.'
"Well, test my words for yourself. /
will sit on this bough while you ask.
for something you want. Ask away,
little maid; ask away
The girl, though much bewildered,
understood what she was to do, so she
sank eagerly upon her knees and held
out her hands entreatingly. "Snow,
Snow" she whispered, my hands are
bare and cold. VIII you cover them
for me?"
In an instant her rough, brown.
fingers were incased in smooth white
gloves that she could take on and off
as she wished; and, oddly enough, you
would never have known of what they
were composed.
"How marvellousr' exclaimed Lula.
"Dear little Frost Fairy, can never
thank you sufficiently for such a gift
But, tell me, will this power last for
everT'
at WILL" he assured her, ''unless you
are loved and love in return. The mo-
ment your heart is warmed by the
glow of true affection your snow
possessions will melt away, and you
will become just an ordinary mortal
again.
+.Then," LULA declared, 4 am quite
safe. Nobody will ever care for me.
Who is there who would think twice of
the orphaned child of wood cutter?
These old rags are enough to frighten
any sutton away
You forget" said the Frost Fairy.
at is in your power now to change all
that. The wood cutters daughter may
be held to be of little Importance, but
many there are who will WOO the
White Princess, But, remember, your
heart will be as cold as your sur
roundings; your Brightness viii chill all
who see you. Well, / won't now linger
here, but let my words remain in your
memory. Until the fire of love pos
sesses you, you will retain your power.
Good-by, good-by.'
When the little man had vanished
the girl stood thinking deeply about
what had occurred, and as she did SO,
one expression he had used came back
to her mind, and she found herself re-
peating it over and over again. s.The
White Princess, the White Princess, .
she unused. And then she gave a little
scream Of surprise and clapped her
hands together. II will test my power
now to it's utmost" she cried. "Snow,
Snow. build me a palace fit for a White
Princess to dwell in. Make the rooms
large and shapely, and stock them
with snow furniture; let snow servants
dwell within to wait hand and foot
! upon me, their mistress. Clotae me
with raiment suited to my new posi-
| ton, fill the stables with snow horses,
/ the grounds with snow flowers. Let
/ oil 4fa< world faII- IF q nj r.,orxny+ @I..,