OUR LITTLE FOLKS' OWN CORNER.
Reading edition
ANSWER TO "PICTURE STORY WANTING WORDS" (p. 64).
FIRST PRIZE STORY.
Iam afraid one of them must go, Helen."
"Oh, Maurice, really? Father gave them to us," and Helen Claire raised her soft, tearful, brown eyes to her brother's face.
"Yes, dear, 'tis hard to part with either Diamond or Ruby, but then it is for Dora's sake."
"I can't give up Ruby, Maurice!" faltered Helen, with quivering lips.
Maurice made no reply, but glanced across to the chair where two frisky little spaniels sat watching them with bright eyes. Ruby, hearing his name, stood up, looking ready for any amount of mischief.
"Mine shall go, Helen, after all," he added, quickly. "I think Ruby, perhaps, is more engaging, and fonder of us than Diamond."
But you will want to know the cause of this giving-up of so beloved a little playfellow.
Maurice and Helen Claire lived in a small, shabby house, with their mother and little sister Dora. Poor children! For nearly a year now they had been, as far as they knew, fatherless. Captain Claire had never returned from his last voyage. His ship had been reported as missing; and the once happy home of the Claires had been left for a small house in a busy town. Maurice and Helen, healthy, hopeful children, bore up well enough under their reduced circumstances. But fragile little Dora had begun slowly to droop. The doctor ordered change of air to some seaside place. So it was that Maurice had announced that they must sell one of the dogs—their father's parting gift.
Maurice having decided between Diamond and Ruby, took up his cap, and went out, leaving Helen alone. Hardly had he gone, when a little girl, with long fair curls, and dreamy blue eyes, stole softly in. She sat down on the sofa with a weary sigh.
"Dora," began Helen, "you will go to the seaside yet."
"Oh! shall I?" cried Dora, clasping her thin white hands.
"Yes, Maurice is going to sell Diamond."
"Oh!"
The pretty flush which the pleasant news had brought to her face died away.
"Oh, no, Helen! I couldn't let Maurice sell Diamond only for me; that would be too selfish!"
"Dora, you must go! and—Maurice doesn't mind so much."
Dora smiled wistfully. "You don't know how fond he is of Diamond," she said.
This conversation was suddenly interrupted by a thundering knock at the front door; and, a few minutes later, a gentleman was ushered into the room.
"Father!" screamed Dora, springing forward.
And in another moment both children were locked in his arms.
What a happy evening that was! Captain Claire soon explained how the ship had been wrecked, and he, after being picked up, was ill for a long time. Then, since his recovery, he had been seeking his wife and children, for the old home was deserted. Soon, however, a happy party returned there again. Dora grew bright and strong, while Diamond and Ruby were greater pets than ever.
Catherine A. Morin. (Aged 15¾.)
6, Clarendon Square, Leamington.
Certified by Alice Morin (Mother).
LIST OF HONOUR.
First Prize (One-Guinea Book), with Officer's Medal of the "Little Folks" Legion of Honour;—Catherine A. Morin (15¾), 6, Clarendon Square, Leamington. Second Prize (Seven-Shilling-and-Sixpenny Book), with Officer's Medal:—Emily Gittins (13½), 14, Philip Road, Peckham Rye, S.E. Honourable Mention, with Member's Medal:—Ethel M. Angus (14½), North Ashfield, Newcastle-on-Tyne; Mildred Crompton-Roberts (13), 16, Belgrave Square, London, S.W.; Louie Debenham (15), Presteigne, Radnorshire; Clifford Crawford (11¾), 21, Windsor Street, Edinburgh; Louie W. Smith (15), 11, Woodside Terrace, Glasgow; Julia Eldred (14), Truro Vean Cottage, Truro; Edith B. Jowett (15¾), Thackley Road, Idle, near Bradford; Madeline de L'Ecuyer (12), Château du Rohello par Baden, Morbihan, France; Emily W. Wall (15), The Hill House, Warwick; Blanche K. A. Coventry (14¾), Severn Stoke Rectory, Worcester; C. Maude Battersby (15), Cromlyn, Rathowen, West Meath.
ANSWERS TO OUR LITTLE FOLKS' OWN PUZZLES (page 125).
MESOSTICH.—Brazil.
1. Nu B ia. 2. Ame R ica. 3. Sp A in. 4. Spe Z zia. 5. Jer I cho. 6. Ire L and.
SINGLE ACROSTIC—Claudius.
1. C abinet. 2. L abourer. 3. A rc. 4. U nicorn. 5. D eer. 6. I ron. 7. U rsula. 8. S apphire.
TOWNS ENIGMATICALLY EXPRESSED.
1. New-port. 2. Sunder-land. 3. Scar-borough. 4. War-wick. 5. Vent-nor. 6. Maiden-head. 7. Ox-ford. 8. Work-sop. 9. Clap-ham.
HIDDEN PROVERBS.
1. "Fine feathers make fine birds." 2. "Many a true word is spoken in jest." 3. "Prevention is better than cure."
DOUBLE ACROSTIC AND ARITHMOREM.
Beech—Maple.
1. B loo M. 2. E ncyclopædi A. 3. E ggfli P. 4. C ur L. 5. H uman E.
GEOGRAPHICAL DOUBLE ACROSTIC.
Persia—Darius. 1. P eipu S. 2. E rla U. 3. R acconig I. 4. S uperio R. 5. I vic A. 6. A biya D.
RIDDLE-ME-REE.—"Elephanta."
QUOTATION DROP-WORD PUZZLE.
"The children then began to sigh, And all their merry chat was o'er, And yet they felt, they knew not why, More glad than they had felt before."—Aiken.
MISSING-LETTER PUZZLE.
The Spanish Armada.
"Attend, all ye who list to hear our noble England's praise, I tell of the thrice-famous deeds she wrought in ancient days, When that great fleet invincible against her bore in vain The richest spoils of Mexico, the stoutest hearts of Spain."
PICTORIAL NATURAL HISTORY PUZZLE.
Common Wombat of Australia. 1. Monsoon. 2. Combat. 3. Rail. 4. Won. 5. Fault. 6. Aim.