ANSWERS TO PICTURE PAGE WANTING

WORDS (p. 192).

FIRST PRIZE STORY.

ITTLE Maggie Coniston was the only child of a hardworking widow, who lived in B. She had once lived in the country, but not so our little friend Maggie, who had never seen the green fields filled with buttercups and daisies, the sparkling river, or the lambs frisking in the fields; although Mrs. Coniston often wished to take her, thinking that the country air would bring back the roses to the child's cheeks. For little Maggie had been very ill. Her life had been despaired of, and the physician said she would never get strong again unless she had purer air. This was a great blow to her poor mother-who idolised the child-for she had no means to meet the expenses which the journey must entail. But help came in a most unexpected way.

B

It so happened that Maggie had an aunt living at with whom Mrs. Coniston had not corresponded for many years. This aunt (by name Mrs. Walton) now wrote, inviting Maggie into the country for a short time. The poor widow thanked God for thus opening a way to restore her darling to health. She wrote at once, accepting the offer, and then began to make preparations for Maggie's journey.

They went out shopping, much to the child's delight, although it was not much Mrs. Coniston could afford to buy. A little velvet bonnet, a warm jacket and shawl, was all that she purchased; and then she was quite ready to go. The last day came, and the mother pressed Maggie to her heart, and giving her into the charge of a neighbour, who was going that way, the train moved slowly out of the station, leaving Maggie's mother with a choking sensation in her throat, as she trudged back to her lonely home.

But to return to Maggie. Poor little girl, all alone, going to an unknown aunt. Though not a child given to crying, the tears welled up in her great brown eyes, and she would certainly have dissolved into tears had not a little girl in the train begun to talk to her. The two chil dren grew quite friendly, and were sorry when the guard called out the name of the station. Maggie was put down on the platform by a neighbour, and the train moved on.

At that moment a cheery-looking woman came up to her, and said in a kind voice, "Are you my little niece, Maggie?" She replied shyly, "Yes, and you are Aunt Jessie." Then her aunt gave her an affectionate kiss, and took her home, where she was kindly received by her uncle.

And how did Maggie enjoy herself in the country, do you ask? Running in the fields from morning till night, watching her aunt milk the cows, and then running off for a game with the large dog Rover. Did Maggie like it? We may judge by her rosy cheeks and her bright eyes, as she chased Rover down the hill, and then ran in breathless to her aunt for a glass of fresh milk. But all things must come to an end, as did this happy visit, for Maggie's mother

wanted her back again. Mr. and Mrs. Walton were sorry to lose their little sunbeam, as they called her, but they promised that she should come again. And at last, when the bag is packed, Mrs. Walton slipped a little doll into Maggie's hand, which filled the child's heart with delight. With her treasure clasped in her arms, the last good-byes were said, and Maggie was given into the care of a stout elderly gentleman, with a white hat, who spoke very pompously, and whom Maggie regarded with great awe. But unfortunately the old gentleman fell asleep, and never woke till Maggie (who was only seven years old) was speeding fast away from BFor Mr. Porter (that was his name) had not heard where Maggie was bound for, but thought it was the place they now arrived at. So, setting Maggie on the platform, and patting her on the shoulder, he walked off, never hearing Maggie's feeble voice, saying, "But, please, this is not B

Poor little Maggie sat down on a seat, feeling very much inclined to cry. A very pretty little picture, though a very sad-looking one, she made. And what do you think was her greatest solace? Why, dear dolly, of course, which she clasped tightly in her arms, every now and then giving it a hug. But she was not long to be left alone. A kind railway porter, coming up, and seeing her woful face, questioned Maggie, and drew from her the whole story. Hearing it, he exclaimed, Never mind, my little maid; my missis is going to B- and she'll take care of you." Saying which, he conducted Maggie to his wife, who was so pleased with her that she was quite sorry when Mrs. Coniston appeared to claim her little girl, and to press her to her heart

once more.

LIST OF HONOUR.

First Prize (One Guinea Book), with Officer's Medal of the Little Folks" Legion of Honour :-CONSTANCE ETHEL BOOTY (12), 3, Pavilion Square, Scarborough. Second Prize (Seven-Shilling-and-Sixpenny Book), with Officer's Medal:M. F. LAMB (9), Brook Vale, Stillorgan, County Dublin. Honourable Mention, with Member's Medal:- BECCIE DEANE-FREEMAN (14), Beachfield, Clontarf, Co. Dublin; EDITH CARTER (103), West-end Terrace, Stockton-on-Tees; HÉLÈNE STÉPHANIE BERTRAND (14), Messageries Maritimes, Constantinople; MAY A. SANDERSON (12), The Elms, Berwick-on-Tweed; UNA M. HAIGH (9), Walnut Tree House, Walmer Hill, Deal; MERCEDES HEEREN (12), Grand Hotel, Biarritz, France; ANNIE HOPE WALLACE (7), Featherstone Castle, Haltwistle, Carlisle; EVELINE M. STREATFEILD (15), Isycoed Vicarage, Wrexham; ALBERT HARRIS (12), King Street, Sandwich, Kent; EDIE M. LEACH (131), 9, Somerfield Road, Finsbury Park.

Credited with eight marks or less:-E. E. Arnold, C. T. Adams, C. W. Arnott, A. S. Belton, M. H. Brownlee, A. G. Bate, K. Buchanan, L. Bonnick, L. Beedham, C. A. Bartlett, J. Burdon, R. W. Buckley, M. L. Brooks, S. G. Croal, M. H. Cox, A. R. Cashmore, S. Charlesworth, M. E. Clifford, M. L. Damböck, W. H. Dorrell, P. Elford, F. M. Edwards, E. M. Fuller, H. Furlong, E. Fordham, H. E. Gamringer, M. S. Green, W. F. Hayward, S. M. Hodgson, L. F. Henry, E. H. Heslop, A. Hamilton, M. Hartley, M. Harrison, A. Hazell, W. Holmden, A. V. Jones, M. E.

Jowett, H. Johnson, E. James, E. J. Law, A. M. Law, E. J. Lofts, E. M. Lowndes, H. B. Lowndes, E. M. Montague, H. W. Milnes, G. McGivney, W. MacLean, G. V. Naish, C. M. Porter, A. Puckle, R. W. Ryde, V. J. Reid, G. C. Ruegg, C. J. Smart, J. C. Smith, M. Secretan, M. Shaw, M. Symonds, M. A. Sloane, M. A. Addison Scott, L. C. Trevor, F. Tighe, Terr, H. F. Vanderzee, J. W. Wanklyn, A. Woodward, M. T. Wunder, G. Waite, B. T. Woodward, E. L. Wilkinson, H. S. Bertrand.

JUNIOR DIVISION.

SOLUTION TO PUZZLE NO. 3.-O thello; Brutus; Elbow; Romeo ; Orlando; N erissa.

CLASS I.

Credited with seven marks:-Minnie Ashe, Robbie Ashe, F. Aubrey, F. E. Ashford, A. Ashe, E. Allenson, Jessie Austin, G. R. Archbold, A. R. Bleby, F. Bonnick, T. Baty, W. W. Beau, E. L. Bartlett, C. Crawford, V. M. Crawford, W. H. Carter, E. M. Cobham, C. M. Fisher, F. Foulger, A. Greenfell, E. Green, Hilda Holmden, R. S. Harrison, F. J. Hart, M. H. Halton, Una M. Haigh, J. W. Lodge, M. Oakes, L. Sutton, M. Wilson, E. E. Wise, J. Laurier.

CLASS II.

Credited with six marks and less :-T. Anderson, A. L. Arnold, L. Allen, K. Alston, H. S. Blunt, E. B. Boykett, J. Blake, A. T Bate, E. H. Boykett, A. M. Boykett, H. S. Blunt, G. E. Buttenshaw, E. M. Bullock, K. M. Bate, T. A. Coysh, E. M. Crowther, E. Cox, L. Cussons, A. Clarke, W. S. Dore, E. M. Dunn, E. M. Dods, L. Dupuy, H. Darwall, L. Forrest, L. Fawcett, B. V. Greenaway, W. W. Giddins, R. R. Garratt, D. H. Gordon, R. Hodgson, M. B. Henry, E. M. Hope, K. C. Harrison, E. W. Hurst, E. H. Jarvie, E. B. Jowett, H. Jones, V. St. John, E. M. Law, E. Lloyd, M. More, F. J. Medlycott, W. J. Moulton, E. J. Milnes, A. S. Owens, J. H. Penn, W. Pullinger, J. Rust, E. Reaney, G. A. Smith, L. Stibbs, H. Sharpley, G. Secretan, J. S. Sloane, R. Smart, W. A. Spence, E. B. Sandys, A. L. Solomon, K. B. Thomson, A. M. Tylee, H. D. Wiles, S. Wyndham.

NOTES TO COMPETITORS.

E. L. Wilkinson, G. McGivney, F. C. Halton, A. R. Bleby, W. F. Hayward, K. E. Štyan, and M. H. Cox have been duly credited with correct solutions to Puzzle No. I.

Edward Cox and E. A. Lloyd are credited in Class II., Puzzle No. I.

The List of Prize Winners in the first quarter will be given in our next issue.

The following solutions to Puzzle No. 2 failed to secure insertion in last month's issue, either by reason of their being enclosed with answers to Scripture questions or other cause:SENIOR, CLASS I.-S. Charlesworth. CLASS II.-F. Pullinger, H. S Cuming, S. G. Croal, A. Warren, E. F. F. D. Campbell, S. A. Alexander, A. E. M. Hamilton, L. Beedham, E. J. Law, H. F. Vanderzee, M. Larner, E. M. Hydes, H. B. Lowndes, A. Cashmore, J. Wilson, A. M. G. Bate, E. M. Fuller, W. Hutchinson, Lady Pali D'Alffy.

JUNIOR, CLASS II.-F. Bonnick, F. G. Green, K. B. Thompson, Welchman, H. W. Beedham, A. T. Bate, M. Wilson, M. E. J. Taylor, W. W. Beau, E. W. Hurst, and M. Oakes.

For Ugundu" given in last month's issue as solution to Light No. 6, Puzzle No. 2, read Urungu.

ADDITIONAL REGULATION.-In order to give as many as possible of our readers a chance of securing a Prize, not more than one First Prize, or two Prizes of a lesser value, will be awarded to any Competitor during the year.

RIDDLE-ME-REE.

MY first is in sea, but not in land.

My second is in knee, but not in hand.

My third is in tin, but not in iron.

My fourth is in elephant, but not in lion.
My fifth is in ball, but not in bat.

My sixth is in dog, but not in cat.

My seventh is in plate, but not in dish.
My eighth is in eel, but not in fish.
My whole is an animal graceful to see,
Now guess, if you can, my riddle-

QUOTATION PUZZLE.

NE word of a famous quotation from Wordsworth will be found in each of the following quotations :

He gazed at the flowers with tearful eyes

He kissed their drooping leaves;

It was for the Lord of Paradise

He bound them in his sheaves."

"For sore dismayed through storm and shade, His child he did discover

One lovely hand was stretched for aid, And one was round her lover."

"Not a lord in all the county

Is so great as he."

"Oh, father! I hear the sound of guns, Oh, say what may it be?'

'Some ship in distress that cannot live In such an angry sea.""

"The nations not so blest as thee,

Must in their turn to tyrants fall;

Whilst thou shalt flourish great and free, The dread and envy of them all."

SINGLE ACROSTIC.

HE initials read downwards form the name of a town

in the east of Ireland.

WHEEL PUZZLE.

I

2

Replace the star with a consonant, which must be the last letter of each of the words described. The letters forming the rim, if read in the order shown by the numerals, will spell the name of a favourite kind of puzzle.

Words forming the spokes:-1. A river, of which there are three of the same name in England. 2. Money. 3. Water from the skies. 4. Exposed to view. 5. Beheld. 6. Rent. 7. A metal. 8. A town in the north of France. W. HERBERT BAGNALL. (Aged 14.)

Bafford House, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham,