Mansfield mirror., 1913-08-28

She drew forward deep chair and
the little old lady sank into its depths
and unfastened the diamond clasp ,f
her velvet cloak.
She was magnificent fairy god
mother. There was a rich black velvet
evening gown embellished with fine
old lace; there was the glitterinS
sparkle of many gems at throat and
corsage and on her ungloved fingers.
Instead OF a magic wand she welded
gold lorgnon. But her dear, sweet
face outshone the diamonds and dis.
counted the value of lace and velvet.
Gena loved her at once.
you will be SO disappointed" she
cried when she caught her breath, but
Aunt Ella and the girls are not at
home; and Uncle Silas has been called
away to Chicago"
The fairy godmother laughed com
fortably. Il know all about that, my
dear" she chuckled II came to see
you. Gena."
Gena's blue eyes grew round with
wonderment, then she clapped her
hands and broke into ripping laugh.
Then you must be a fairy god.
mother" she declared.
"A really and truly one, my dear"
agreed her visitor smilingly. i've
come to take, you to the Dellains' ball
and hope you will lind the prince
there"
"Oh. dear--I hate to wake up"
sighed Gena, pinching her round,
white arm.
Fairy Godmother laughed. "You will
understand wien tell you that am
Mrs. Keelson-and l really am your
godmother. my dear. l have been
abroad for many years and lost track
OF your dear parents. I met your
Uncle Silas last night at the Wing.
field. in town. and he gave me q
strong hint that a Cinderella was walt
Ing here for fairy godmother-so
here am in spite Of the muddy
roads. After the ball Is over and you
have given Mr.. Bond due notice--why,
you can come to Fairyland and be my
dear daughter II you want to-so
thero." She leaned over and kissed
Gena's happy, bewildered face.
How did you get there?" asked the
girl.
Game from town In my own car
and the roads are simply frightful.
Now give me a cup of tea and then
you must get ready for the ball."
"Oh, am so sorry, godmother, but
I haven't decent thing to wear" fal.
tered Gena. Nothing except an old
white China silk and"
"Hannah!" called Mrs. Knight. and
In response there entered a capable
looking woman bearing several large
boxes.
please unpack the ball gown
brought for Miss Bond" and then to
Gena, Mrs. Keelson explained, Here
are all the pretty things for Cinder-
ella-Hannah will fit the gown II 1t is
too large. This is the nearest could
find to glass slippers" she smiled mis-
chievously as Hannah laid pair OF
jeweled white satin slippers in Gena's
lap.
Gena laughed and cried over the
beautiful peach satin gown and ite
accessories; then they went upstairs
where supper was served to Mrs. Keel
son in Gena's own room.
When at last they started for the
ball, the servants crowded into the
hall to marvel at the sudden magnifi
cence of sweet Miss Gena.
Away the limousine whizzed through
the rain-drenched night, under star
ry sky. The moon came out and
turned the hanging raindrops to dia
monds, for it was magical night and
nothing was ever the same afterwards
Life became beautiful and bright and
full OF love and happiness for Gena.
Mrs. Bond and her daughters were
surprised to see such splendidly ar
rayed Gena, but they we're kind al
heart and exerted their utmost to give
: her a good time.
Gena was the belle Of the ball ant
; there came a moment when the
, prince appeared and was presented
and he turned out to be Mrs. Keel
sons handsome son. 1t is needless tt
say that he fell in love with Cinder
/ ella, and before June came around the
=. prince and Cinderella were married
and Mrs. Keelson had real daughter
Q and Gena a devoted mother.
. As for Silas Bond. who had been thu
, instigator of all these interesting hap
t penings, he said he was very glad be
cause 1t might be very convenient t.
|. have Fairy Godmother In the family
copyright, 1913, by the Mcclure News
paper syndicate)