Omaha daily bee., 1919-03-23

Midsummer Eve had come and
the fairies and elves we're about in
! the countryside ready to play their
pranks on the farmer folk. For
! fairies are always abroad during the
harvest time when they make merry
in the fields. Often they tear down
the farmers yellow haystacks as
they frolc in the moonlight But
they do not mean o be wickeds for
they are the friends Of man as long
as they are. treated kindly.
At this harvest time the fairies
and elves had made a larry ring
about a haystack and under the
bright moonlight could be seen tiny
creatures clad in blue and green
with red peaked caps dancing joy
ously. II one strayed near on this
fine summer evening and took care
not to be discovered, he could hear
the most delightful music, far more
beautiful than any nla'le by NOR
tails. 1t was as soft and beautiful
as the singing in sea shell,
And while the fairies played and
danced like children. the good far
mer in whose field they were rejoic-
ing, was fast asleep with his wife
by his side, Indeed. they could
shmber deeply for they had nothing
to fear from the fairies since at
every baking and churning the
farmers wife stuck bit OF dough
and butter on the wall fer them.
Now the farmer had daughter,
however, who was not fast asleep.
Indeed, she was wide awake and as
she lay in her bed she watched the
golden moon beams shine in
through the open window and dance
on the floor. The girl was called
Laughing Heart, because she Was al
ways SO joyous and happy. She was
also very beautiful. When the moon
light shone upon her hair 1t was as
soft as silk and the color of spun
gold. Her cheeks were as pink as
roses and as soft as { = very pet
ais; her eyes were as ~.ue as fleecy
summer clouds and it made one hap
py just to look at her.
Laughing Heart lay very still and
only the "chirp" "chirp" of the
crickets underneath her window
could be heard. ooh" said Laugh
ing Heart, This is Midsummer S
Eve and it / could just see the fair
les once. Perhaps, If | were still"
and with that Laughing Heart wait
ed no longer. but quickly dressed
herself and guided by the moonlight
Crept softly down the stars.
1t was a beautiful night. The stars
were shining brightly ana the air
was fragrant with the edor OF new
mown hay. Laughing Heart crept
through the pasture, crossed the lit
tie brook that sang rs It rippled over
the pebbles and entered the mead
ow where the fairies were dancing
about their magic ring. Very
slowly Laughing Heart approached
and as she came nearer and nearer
she heard the swe etest music that
had ever fallen on her ears Fairy
music it was as sweet as the tinkle
of silver bells and fairy harps. Hid
ing behind a hay stack, she saw
the fairies dancing in the moonlight.
Time went swiftly by and Laugh.
iEg Heart remained unnot,ced. But
finely one little fellow, who had
grown weary of the dance, dropped
cut of the fairy ring and threw him
self down in the cool grass to rest.
As he was lying there, he discov-
cred Laughing Heart. Very quietly,
so that none of the other fairies
would see this little fairy stole over
to Laughing Heart where she stood
hidden.
Good evening. Laughing Heart"
said a queer little voice. Laughing
Heart Looked about her and there
stood at her feet the little fairy.
Now when the fairy saw Laughing
Heart CLEARLY in the moonlight, he
fell in love with her, for size was the
most beautiful crea ure he had evil
seen. Ihe little fairy decided to
abandon the other fairies, for he
thought he would be perfectly hap
py if he could only stay close to
Laughing Heart where he could see
the sun shine on her golden hair and
see her smile. And Laughing Heart
loved the little fairy and wanted to
be with him always, Sc when the
little fairy told Laughing Heart that
he loved her, she told him she loved
him also. Then Laughing Heart
and the fairy left the fed together.
For few days they were very hap
py together in the wooos among
the wild flowers and the birds as
they played at the edge Of q brook.