The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-08-02

She drew forward q deep onaIr ana
the little old lady sank into its depths
and unfastened the diamond clasp It
her velvet cloak.
She was . magnificent fairy god.
mother. There was q rich black velvet
evening gown embellished with me
old lace: there was the glittering
sparkle Of many gems at throat and
corsage and on her ungloved fingers.
Instead Of q 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. II know all about that, my
DEAR" she chuckled. Il came to see
you, Gena"
\ Genas blue eyes grew round with
wonderment then she clapped her
hands and broke into ripping laugh.
'Then you must be q 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 find the prince
there"
"Oh. dear-I hate to wake up"
sighed GenA pinching her round.
white arm.
Fairy Godmother laughed. You viii
understand when tell you that I am
Mrs. Keelson-and l really am your
godmother, my dear. have been
abroad for many years and lost track
Of your dear parents. met your
Uncle Silas last night at the Wing.
Held, in town, and he gave me .
strong hint that a Cinderella was wait
ing here for fairy godmother-so
here I 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
there" 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 cup Of tea and then
you must get ready for the ball"
"Oh, l 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 q capable
looking woman bearing several large
boxes.
please unpack the bali gown
brought for Miss Bond" and then to
Gena, Mrs. Keelson explained, Here
are all the pretty things for Cinder-
ella-Hannah will At the gown II It 10
too large. This IL the nearest l could
ind to glass slippers" she smiled mis-
chievously as Hannah laid . pair Of
jewelsd white satin slippers In Gena's
lap.
Gena laughed and cried over the
beautiful peach satin gown and its
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 magnin.
cence Of sweet Miss Gena.
Away the limousine whizzed through
tho rain-drenched night, under q star
~ sky. The moon came out and
turned the hanging raindrops to dia-
monds. for 1t 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 n
rayed Gena, but they were kind at
heart and exerted their utmost to give
her q good time.
Gena was the belle Of the ball and
there came q moment when the
prince appeared and was presented
and he turned out to be Mrs. Keel.
sons handsome son 1t Is needless to
say that he fell in love with Cinder-
ella, and before June came around the
prince and Cinderella were married
and Mrs. Keelson had a real daughter
and Gena a devoted mother.
As for Silas Bond, who had been the
instigator Of all these interesting hap
penings. he said he was very glad be-
cause 1t might be very convenient to
have q Fairy Godmother In the family.
Copyright. 1918. by the Mcclure News
paper syndicate.)