The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-01-30

single lamp cast soft light on the old
fashioned hallway mingling with I
moonbeams that floated through the
window halfway up the stairs From
their bedrooms above came the chill
dren's voices.
BLESS their S9by hearts," cried I
Ethel in subdued voice. Il wondered I
what they were up to this afternoon
when they came to me twice and
asked so seriously whether they was
weally faiwies"
"And what did you say?" inquired.
4 told them to find out fov them
selves" she replied. promptly. Il
didn't have the courage to disillusion-
ize them utterly"
And they're going to find it out, II
possible"
q wish we could help them" she
remarked.
Maybe We can" replied, hopeful
ly.
Thereupon we turned our attention
to dinner. We were sitting there
nearly an hour later, finishing our
coffee. when we heard the stairs creak
dismally.
Then Ethel put her hand on one
side, and listened intently. There
was no mistake this time; the stairs
certainly did give out continuous
series Of creaks. Likewise did we
hear a faint pattering. as Of chubby,
bare feet and hard breathing, and
half-stifled giggles and gurgles.
"Mercy!" Ethel exclaimed under
her breath. Those babies are actual
" going outdoors In their night
clothes"
"Sh!" warned. Don't be alarmed.
Maybe they'll put on their coats and
hats. Anyhow, wait until they get in
to the back hall; then we can creep
upstairs and see them through the
window at the landing"
In another minute the door separat-
ing the front from the back hall
closed, and little later we heard ex-
cited whisperings from the clothes
press far in the rear.
Now's the timel" Ethel cried.
Lets hurry up to the window while
they're putting on their coats and
hats" We tiptoed out Of the dining
room, and up the stairway. For
long time we looked and listened anx-
iously at the little window, and was
about to go down again when the
back door creaked. and an odd little
figure appeared in the moonlight Just
below us. Buzzers fluffy golden hair
was hidden by an old hat Of mine, a
shapeless gray felt. When he had
gone yard or two from the door he
turned around and called. in loud
whisper, Come on, sister! Hurry up,
r tn faiwies II get awayl"
There was brief pause, and the
next moment Ethel strangled in an
effort to stiae 2 laugh.
Just look at the babyiH she cried,
softly. Moonlight summer night,
and she's got on her rubber boots
"And Nora's sunbonnetl Wonder
where she found it?p
didn't answer for just then Buz-
zer spoke again.
Wen 60 quietly pas Jason's house
an tn barr" he explained, down tn
lane to where tn faiwies Is. in tn
wall"
Quietly. 50 not fwighten emp
Beeby inquired. in anxious tones. /.
Yep" said Buzzer; and away they
toddled, hand in hand. through the
moonlight.
Quick, Ethel!" said, running
downstairs as rapidly and as noise
lessly as possible. Follow me. ant
wen see the funl'
Poor little chapsn she responded
1T doesn't seem fair to take advan
tage Of their innocence"
I'VE won't take any" | said, hold
ing open the door, so she could pas
through. Wen find out where thei
fairy land is. and then we'll people /
, for them"
What a splendid plan!H the dea
girl cried giving my shoulder a pa
{ OF approval How did you think 0
( it? And which way shall we go?"
I Around the house here, an
I through the orchard back Of the corr
. crib and wagon shed-then wei
I reach fairy land ahead Of them"
q So on we ran as fast as we coult
!. through the shadows Of the apple o.
+ chard. and hid near the stone wal
b Just as the little folks came down th
grassy lane. It is a long march an
a hard march from home to fair
land when one wears mans bI
slippers, that persist in coming o
every five yards, or when one is a
most lost in fathers coat and Nora
sunbonnet But they came on bravel
{ indeed hand IN hand, Buzzer sh0
fling on ahead little. Beeby draggin
her weighty rubber boots with slo'
er steps. All at once they stoppe
: with admonitory "Hush!a from Blu
zer. Don't make any noisel" he ad
ed. kicking the slippers from his fe,
and tossing aside the big hat
ME. tool" Beeby exclaimed. slttlr
plump down in the lane and puIllr
. on her boots. Then she slid out
i my coat the sunBonnet fell to Il