University School for Girls - Castanon Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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.fp ,LL-. ,...... ..... THERE ARE FAIRIES This is the story of a little girl who didn't believe in fairies. Now, don't laugh and say that couldn't be true, because it is. But it really wasn't her fault at all. It was her papals and mamma's fault. You see, they were a very modern papa and mamma, and being a modern papa and mamma means bringing their child up according to books. And most books that tell about bringing up a child tell all about just how much milk she should drink and how much cereal she should eat, but don't say a word about fairies! But, too, it wasn't the people who write the books' fault, because sometimes when you get to be old and wise enough to write a book on that sort of thing you become so bookish and ogre-ish you forget all about fairies. Still they don't mind, because they don't like people like thatg but they were very sorry that Patsy Anne, for that was this little girl's name, didn't believe in them, because Patsy Anne was such a nice little girl otherwise. One day, as Patsy Anne was sitting in the garden looking at the holly-hock ladies all nodding in a row fof course she didn't know they were ladies, but she did think they were prettyj suddenly she noticed a great bustle and rustle among the leaves. Looking down she saw the queerest thing, a little wizened old man who very politely took off his hat and bowed to her, bowing so low that his long beautifully-combed beard touched the ground. How do you do?', said he, in the pleasantest of tones, though so little was the sound she had to lean way over to hear him. Very well, thank you. How do you do? Patsy Anne answered, wondering if she should curtsy the way her mother had taught her to. Looking at him she decided no,', for he was so small she was afraid she might frighten him if she should suddenly rise up. The same, ma'am, this queer creature answered. It's a very nice morn- ing, isnlt it? Why, heis like a regular person only very small and oh, so very old, thought Patsy Anne. He talks just like the man that came to visit Papa the other day. Maybe he will stay a while and talk to me, for it is very lonesome here now Mam- ma's away. Of course I'll stay if you'll invite me, suddenly piped up the wee voice. Why-why how did you know what I was thinking? gasped Patsy Anne, a little frightened by this strange happening. All fairies know what is going on in little girls' minds. But there are no fairies. My mother says so. No fairies! Why, I'm a fairy, so there must bel But I know who you are. You are the little girl the fairy queen sent me to find. You are invited to the fairy ball that will take place in the land of blue moonlight when the moon is blue. Thatls tomorrow night, answered the fairy, forgetting his indignation in de- livering his message. A ball! Oh, how much fun! joyously Patsy Anne clapped her hands together. You mean a really truly ball like Mamma goes to all dressed up and with a flower in her hair? But then-maybe she won't let me. I'm afraid she thinks me too young. In fairyland no one is ever too young or too old to go places and have a good time. Don't say a word to anyone and I'll be back for you tomorrow night as the moonlight touches the tip of the sun dial. With this he disappeared as suddenly as he had come. Patsy Anne rubbed her eyes and wondered if she had been dreaming. She looked at the hollyhocks and said, Why, I do believe those are little ladies talk- ing together. Maybe they'll know if it was a dream. And she asked them very 74

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- ,...,.,. it Thus Melusine came with time's course into a land of dark people and much wickedness where Callistion was held prisoner. She begged an audience with the king, a heathen lord, and obtained it, tho' Melusine did not know as much, with ominous facility. Gaignars lay upon a long divan that was covered with a golden cloth. He was a large and insolent person, adorned resplendently in silks and jewels. He did not speak at all while Melusine explained that she had come to ransom Callistion, but only watched her closely. When she had finished, At what price? he asked. And Melusine displayed her jewels. He did not even heed them, but, catching her by one small white wrist, forced her to her knees before him and calmly said, There is one way in which you can procure the freedom of Cal- listion, and only one. I will take you as ransom. Melusine answered with the quiet depths of turbulent rivers, Sire, you demand of me an impossibility. For a moment there was silence and then Gaignars said, It is a bargain. You can do as you see fit. You can ransom him at my price-he will go free. If you refuse I will not hinder you but Callistion will amuse the Court by being pulled into pieces by four wild horses. Here is a girl who will show you to your quarters. Think of my offer. In a while I will send it to you written and you must return it signed, or unsigned, as you wish. It lies in your hands and I will take you at your word. And Melusine departed. Later Melusine read from the yellow parchment with the seal of Gaignars these words: The hand of Princess Melusine will ransom the full freedom of Callistion. If she desires this let her sign below. If there is no signature, it is understood that Callistion will be torn into pieces by four wild horses. Gaignars. A great light shone in the eyes of Melusine and an odd smile played about her lips. She returned the paper signed, f 'il pledge my hand from the moment I see Callistion walk below my windows ree. Melusine. At the appointed hour the people of the Court of Gaignars gathered in the great festival hall of marble and mosaic. Gaignars sat on his huge gold throne attired in green, shot through with gold so that when he moved he looked like some bright sea monster. All was in preparation for the taking on of his new bride, and all was in suspense. Slowly the heavy iron doors swung on their hinges but, alas, it was not yet the bride. It was a page who carried in his hands a large and handsome box of hammered silver with which he knelt before Gaignars. The box was opened. It was lined with purple velvet, on the velvet cushion in it lay a small white hand, severed at the wrist-a promise kept. NADINE WEIL, ,3I Y O U T H Life throbbing in your finger tips, A lump in your throat, Breath pressed 'gainst quivering lips, Ears strained for one note. Heart bursting as if to break, Courage, love, and truth. An aching joy, a joyous ache- 'Tis this I call youth. - Donornv BRAUN, '30 73

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.fo ,..4-,...- politely though a little timidly, for she was not used to addressing such small ladies. Did you see a little wizened old man, who calls himself a fairy, around here somewhere? But the hollyhocks only swayed to and fro, looking very wise but saying nothing. Maybe I didn't ask in the right way, thought Patsy Anne, but I don't know any other so I'll wait and see what happens tomorrow night. All that day, all that night, and all the next day Patsy Anne tried to decide if the queer fairy would really come. On the night on which he had promised she leaned out of the window to watch the moonlight as it slowly-oh, so slowly-crept up to the sun dial. At last it reached it, and as if that had been a signal, suddenly on the window sill appeared the little old fairy. Oh, you've come! exclaimed Patsy Anne, scarcely able to believe her eyes. Of course, fairies always keep their promises. But we must hurry for it is not wise to be late to a ball. They don't like to wait. With this the fairy pulled her over the window sill and much to her surprise she was being pulled swiftly through the air. Ik 42 Sk all IF She found herself in a room-and yet it seemed outdoors too! The roof, so far away, was of glass and so were the walls. Light, the blue moonlight, fell all around, the moon and stars were strung up above somewhere, and there were the most graceful of trees and vines, bearing flowers and posies of every kind. In the center of the room was a small mound, all made of moss and forget- me-nots, and in the center of that were two White thrones made of Easter lilies, and in each lily was a lovely fairy. It was all quite the most beautiful thing Patsy Anne had ever seen. One was a fairy man, one a fairy woman, and both were dressed in soft white and gold, and both had on their heads gold crowns, and in each crown shone jewels that were either diamonds or dewdrops. Without thinking what she was doing, Patsy Anne bowed deeply. For though the book had known nothing about fairies, it had known about manners. This seemed to please the little lady and Come nearer, she said. Who are you, please? asked Patsy Anne, trying very hard not to stare. At this, all the fairies seemed aghast. F Why, I'm Titania and this is Oberon. We are the King and Queen of the airiesl Then there really are fairies, exclaimed Patsy Anne, at last convinced. Most assuredly, answered Oberon, very proudly. It is only the people who, are brought up on books who donlt think so. Everyone else knows there are. ' just then the fairy music began again, and a circle of fairies, barefooted, hand in hand, ran out upon a bank of moss and began to dance. Come with me, Patsy Anne. I have something for you, smiled Coralie. With this she took Patsy Anne over to a corner where was piled a stack of what looked like pale blue mist. Reaching out, Coralie picked up some of it and fastened it on Patsy Anne's shoulders. Those are wings, my dear, and with them you can fly just like real fairies. Patsy Anne discovered she really could, and that she, too, was of fairy size. It was wonderful! Never had she felt so light, so happy! just to see if she could she flew almost to the great glass roof. Coralie then took her hand and they went to explore Fairyland. During the next few hours, Patsy Anne saw all the 75