Part 2 (1/2)
”Your Majesty, he deliberately swallowed a half-dozen of the palace spoons.”
”Why did you do it?” asked Queen t.i.tania of the culprit.
”I don't know,” he said shamefacedly.
”But I do,” said Queen t.i.tania. ”You did it to stir up things. Have you a sweetheart?”
”Yes, I've got a bird!”
”Well, now you can go and spoon with her!”
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All were quite delighted with the wisdom shown by their tiny sovereign in dispensing justice. But before other important matters could be disposed of a fairy messenger named Pink with her petalled attire all flecked with dust dashed in great excitement into the throne-room. She had ridden many leagues upon a winged steed, and in its terrific speed which was far greater than that of the swiftest aeroplane it had used both wings and feet.
Pink ran toward the throne to impart the news that had brought her in such hot haste, but the unexpected sight of Queen t.i.tania stilled the words upon her frightened lips, and caused them to part instead with wonder and surprise.
”This is Queen t.i.tania,” hastily explained Dame Drusilda, ”who henceforth is to reign over us.”
Pink knelt low before t.i.tania and kissed her royal robe.
”Your Majesty,” she said, ”I am the bearer of bad news. Dragonfel the wicked enchanter across the sea has declared his intention of making trouble for the fairies.”
”Who told you this?” asked Queen t.i.tania.
”A little bird,” was Pink's reply.
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”This is very serious,” said Queen t.i.tania gravely, ”for little birds never tell fibs.” There was a clamor of dismayed, excited voices, but the queen raised her wand for silence, and continued:
”Though it may only be an idle threat, I will still appeal to Euphrosyne. Should we ever need her help right gladly she will give it.”
Her hearers all looked puzzled, and Dame Drusilda made bold to ask: ”Who is Euphrosyne of whom you speak?” ”Have you not heard of her?” Queen t.i.tania asked, with much surprise. ”She is the G.o.ddess of Mirth, who tries to make the whole world happy--a most gigantic task. Come with me, and I will send her an invisible summons.” With the Cupids bearing her train she pa.s.sed with the fairies out to the palace courtyard where fountains played and flowers bloomed. There she raised her wand, and told them to look up. And doing so they beheld a most marvelous sight--a radiant, smiling-faced, gloriously beautiful young woman in cla.s.sical white robes, with her sandalled feet resting ever so lightly upon one of the pearl-tinged clouds.
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Around her circled snowy doves, cooing, fluttering, and settling on her head, bare shoulders and arms.
While t.i.tania waved her wand, she suddenly gazed downward, as though something by means of an electric current had been transmitted to her through the air. She stroked a dove that had found its way trustingly to her hand, and as the others flew from her she herself seemed plumed for flight.
The fairies watched her with a suspense that was almost painful, but to their great disappointment the pa.s.sing clouds blotted her from sight.
But even the fairies who all the time are witnessing the most wonderful things were quite astounded when Euphrosyne in what seemed to be the very next moment appeared with the dove right in their very midst.
[Ill.u.s.tration]
”What is your wish?” she said to Queen t.i.tania.