Everychild | Page 5

the room, he did not perceive either Father Time or the Masked Lady. He dropped one end of his bludgeon to the floor with a thump, and there he stood leering at Everychild with a sinister and triumphant expression.
Only a moment he stood, and then he advanced a step toward Everychild. But just at that instant Father Time moved slightly and the intruder became aware of his presence. The wicked smile on his terrible face began to freeze slowly. The great creature shrank away from Father Time; and as he did so he became aware of the presence of the Masked Lady on his other side. For an instant he trembled from head to foot! And then more hurriedly he took another step toward Everychild.
Everychild was trying very hard to hold his ground; but in truth he could feel his knees giving way beneath him and it seemed that he must fall if the giant advanced another inch. Nor did the giant fail to note that Everychild was in distress, and at this he regained something of his boldness. In a loud, terrible voice he spoke to Everychild:
"Ah--ha! And so you were getting ready to defy me--hey?"
Everychild's teeth chattered as he replied: "Please go away!"
The giant nodded exultantly. In the same great voice he said, "You know me, I suppose?--the Giant Fear who always makes Everychild tremble?"
A calm voice interposed--the voice of Father Time: "The Giant Fear, whom Everychild may conquer!"
The voice was so reassuring, and the eyes of Father Time were so calm and friendly, that Everychild ceased to despair. With trembling limbs he ran to Father Time. "If you would lend me your scythe----" he gasped. He laid a hand on the scythe of Father Time.
But Father Time withheld the scythe. He said gently, "The scythe of Father Time is a wonderful weapon; but a better one is at Everychild's command. Behold!"
As he spoke he pointed majestically to the Masked Lady.
She had arisen, and Everychild saw that she held aloft a slim, shining sword!
A hush fell within the room; but presently Everychild, addressing Father Time, whispered: "A sword! And may I take it?"
With a very firm voice Father Time replied: "You may, and with it you shall prevail!"
Oddly enough, Everychild forgot for the moment that he was in peril. He drew near to the Masked Lady, and he could see that she was smiling. She placed the sword in his hand.
At first he held it awkwardly, yet he looked at it with shining eyes. Then he turned about, holding the sword forward, as the Masked Lady had held it. He could feel that the hilt of the sword was beginning to fit snugly into his hand.
Gradually a strange transformation occurred. His body straightened, his eyes shone more than ever. He took a step forward, and he knew that his knees were no longer trembling. In a clear voice he cried out to the Giant Fear:
"Defend yourself!"
But the giant reeled and trembled. He tried to hold his bludgeon aloft, but his hands shook so that it nearly fell. He became as pale as death, and it was quite impossible for him to meet Everychild's eye. He retreated with stumbling steps. It seemed that he would fall. His power had deserted him.
He made a last, terrible effort to lift his bludgeon; but Everychild darted forward with the speed of lightning, holding his sword before him. It was a very sharp sword, and it pierced the giant's body as easily as if the great creature had been made of paper.
The Giant Fear tottered. His bludgeon slipped from his grasp and his eyes became dim. He fell with a crash. He was dead!
At that very moment a sound of distant music could be heard. It was all very wonderful. The music drew nearer; it sounded more loudly.
Everychild turned and restored the slim sword to the Masked Lady.
"Do you not wish to keep it?" she asked.
But it seemed to Everychild that he had no need of the sword, now that the Giant Fear was dead. "Thank you, I shall not need it again," he said.
She said, in a strange, sad voice, "Alas, the greatest need of my sword arises after fear is gone!"
But he scarcely heeded her now. The sound of music was heard much nearer. He lifted his eyes and beheld the door which had always stood between him and the world. He drew nearer to the door. It was wide open.
He heard the voice of Father Time: "The moment has arrived for you to go, Everychild!"
He caught step with the music, which was very loud now.
He marched valiantly away.
CHAPTER III
EVERYCHILD ENCOUNTERS ALADDIN OF THE WONDERFUL LAMP
He knew he could go wherever he pleased, and so with very little delay he entered a deep forest. It was evening and the wind was