The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1922-05-05
The Fairy
Godmother
5IIIIIIIIIIIIiIIIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
By MARVIN ST. JOHNS


"Wonder Of wonders-look at that r.
cried Dallas Evans.
"Fair fiOtsam on the face of the
waters ~ rejoined Bert Williams
quickly.
"Here, I'll get them-I saw them
first"
"And I've got them first!" pro
claimed Bert triumphantly.
Splash; he was ankle deep In the
water off the shallow little creek, had
seized the cargo of floating plank
and this, or rather these, he dangled
before the eyes of his chum and com
rade.
"How did they ever come adrift?"
There's the mystery. And the ro-
NANCE" added Bert, "for whoever
wore them is certainly a modern Gin
derella."
Bert Williams placed his remarkable
find In the pocket of the light over
coat he wore and took up his walk
ing stick.
Hold on. Where are you goingY
challenged Evans.
"To locate the owner, Of course" "
responded Bert. think I'll miss a
romance like this?"
"SOrt of royal prince looking for
a Cinderella, Ell 2" rallied Evans.
"Take 1t that way-at any rate,
probably q distressed maiden splash
Ing In the brook-disloyal plank floats
away with her belongings" He start,
ed along the verdue-tangled shore.
"There she is" suddenly he ex-
claimed. young lady-this way"
A little, graceful miss was coming
down the shore path slowly. She
looked up at Bert's hail.
There was a scream. The alright
ed miss turned like a frightened
sprite. Bert gasped out:
"Barefooted-it's the Cinderella!"
Just one fieeting glimpse Bert had
Of face we'll suited to form of will
lowy grace and daintiness He came
back to the spot where he had left his
friend, but Evans had gone on to-
wards the village. He soon overlook
him.
"Well?" questioned Evans.
81 found the fairy Cinderella, but"
and Bert recited his latest adventure
II must follow up my investigations
tomorrow. AS knight of romance Ii
is my duty. Are we going to that
crossroads function this EVENING"
"Oh, we mustn't miss that. Besides,
we promised our rural friends, you
knowl"
A hayrack ride, supper and barn
dance at Rumsey Crossroads had been
the talked of social event of the dis
trict for week past. The two young
men were promptly at the meeting
place at dusk.
There was a jolly drive for few
miles.
The residents Of the immediate To-
cality were the hosts. 1t was when
Bert was introduced to some of these
that he made a discovery that added
new interest to the scene.
"Miss wyman, Mr.. Williams"-and
Bert found himself bowling to the bare
footed refugee Of the brookside.
There was fitting shadow across
those fair features that Bert noticed
at once. When he asked her to be-
come his partner In the next dance
and she declined on the grounds of in
disposition, Bert involuntarily glanced
down In the direction Of her feet. They
were out Of view, concealed under the
folds Of her dress. Her eyes followed
the dancers longingly.
'Do you believe In fairy books, Miss
Wyman?" Bert asked, abruptly, and
she regarded him strangely at this un'
usual conversational disclosure.
"Why-I don't know" she answered
in an uncertain tone.
"And fairy godmothers? And Gin
derella2 Ali" declared Bert with halt
jocular effusiveness, there was girl
worth perpetuating In fiction, don't
you think so?'
First, with an expression Of mysti-
fcation, then with sudden illumination
of soul, Miss Wyman regarded Bert
Her face turned scarlet. She under
stood the allusion.
LET me play the fairy godmother,"
smiled the audacious young man. ~
know you want to dance. / will at
once send you package which
luckily rescued from the river"
'You have made me very happy
she said, as they rested after many
whirling rounds of the barn floor.
''It was the fault of my little sis
ters," Dolly tried to explain, her face
averted. 81 misunderstanding them
in"
Meaning the slippers"
"Of course, and the children would
wade, and-and-"
my ship came inl" alleged the Inn
pertinent Bert.
"You know, must see you safe
home-just like the fairy godmother u
suggested Bert.
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