The Cairo bulletin., 1910-10-16

CAST bPELL ON hE THAT WILL MAKE
ME HAPPY ALWAYS.
and. most children will think, with
good reason Tho mellow afternoon
seemed to tease her with its bright
glory. 1t was hard TO leave all the
beauty Of wood and field and go back
to the dull round of studies In the
noisy. warm city. Books were such
stupid things. anyway.
These were katys thoughts as she
sat swinging beneath the apple tree
and gazed into the deep green over
head Finally she decided she would
not 20 ut all She would run away
And she started up and soon had dis
appeared into the depths Of the wood,
taking with her few apples for food.
Katy was very much excited and
walked very fast at first for fear that
she might he seen. but by and by she
lost herself completely and wandered
on. still happy In the thought OF put
ding school behind her. There was
much 10 see and marvel Mt around her.
The path seemed made Of emerald vel
vet. SO bright and soft was the moss
which covered It. The leaves of many
trees were turning scarlet. and the
wild towers still blooned brilliantly.
SO the place seemed to be enchanted,
and 1t was Katy's delight to believe
1t WINS. She would not have been sur
prised to see fairies or elves or even n
wizard or witch peer at her through
the branches. She ate her apples by
and by and drank from clear cold
spring and then wandered on again.
by this time she could not have gone
home again II she had wished. but 1t
was not until 1t began to grow dark
that She fclt the least bit afraid. Then
ii happened that she saw little light
twinkllng through the black night.
she crept forward and peered through
the window Of the wee cottage 1t
was funny little place on the side OF
a steep hill. the upper windows on
level with the ground at the back. and
the kitchen rambling away down the
bill in front Inside queer old wo-
man stood stirring some savory stew
in great iron pot over the open fire.
She Knocked timidly, and when she
had faltered out her story in answer to
the witch's shrill demands she was
made welcome and given a generous
share of supper
Cant you please cast spell on me
that will make me be happy alwaysy
pleaded Katy.
60 up to bed. my child" shrilled
mother witch not unkindly. II will
see what can be done can cast
spells and will try to help you. even
though you have been so naughty in
running away"
So Katy Struggled down beneath the
patchwork quilt and prepared to be be-
witched
Just then she became aware of a
shrill singing beneath her window.
Katy did. Katy didn't was sung
out loudly, the same thing over and
over again. One little voice asserted
katy did" and the other one replied
katy didn't" Didn't what? wonder
ed Katy, not in the least surprised to
be able to understand these songs.
Didn't betray trust" shrilled a
cricket close by.
katy did, insisted the FIRST voice
sturdily.
But she never will again!" thrilled
locust.
Never again, never again. never
again. sang the tree toad in triumph.
Katy knows that even In the woods
there is work to be done In the fall.
Every creature, big or small. is busy
laying up stores for the winter, and
she would not like to be the only idle
one among so many. She will be glad
to get back to lessons now that she
understandsr'
And Katy realized that the spell upon
her had enabled her to understand the
songs of the insects. and she had
learned from the wisdom of the woods
the value Of the wisdom Of books.
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