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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5631a39 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #50931 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50931) diff --git a/old/50931-0.txt b/old/50931-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 8d631fb..0000000 --- a/old/50931-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2924 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Stories of Enchantment, by Jane Pentzer Myers - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Stories of Enchantment - or, The Ghost Flower - -Author: Jane Pentzer Myers - -Illustrator: Harriet Roosevelt Richards - -Release Date: January 15, 2016 [EBook #50931] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORIES OF ENCHANTMENT *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan, Rod Crawford -and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - STORIES - OF - ENCHANTMENT - - - BY - JANE PENTZER MYERS - - ILLUSTRATED BY - HARRIET ROOSEVELT RICHARDS - - CHICAGO - A. C. McCLURG & CO. - 1901 - - Copyright - By A. C. McClurg & Co. - A.D. 1901 - - - TO KATE WINIFRED. - -Just between the “Land o’ Dreams” and broad daylight is a beautiful -world: where good wishes come true: where the poor and the lonely are -rich in castles and friends: and where sorrowful folk are happy. - -There you may hear the birds singing and children laughing, all day -long. The trees are full of blossoms and fruit. The sky is always blue, -the grass green and soft. - -Under the trees dwell the fairies, and against the blue sky is sometimes -seen the sheen of angels’ wings. - -On the borders of this land the real and the unreal are so strangely -blended that children are puzzled to know where the boundary lies. - -Just across its borders blooms the little white ghost-flower. - -It is for you, little girl. - - J. P. M. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - Page - I. The Ghost Flower, or the White Blackbird 11 - II. The Little Yellow Moccasins 31 - III. The Little Ghost who Laughed 45 - IV. Titania’s Maid of Honor 71 - V. Bran, the Wolf Dog 89 - VI. The Corn Fairy 111 - VII. At the Wayside Cross 125 - VIII. In Quest of the Dark 133 - IX. The King will hunt To-day 149 - X. He was a Prince 161 - XI. Where the River hides its Pearls 187 - XII. The Mist Lady 205 - - - - - ILLUSTRATIONS. - - - Page - The pipe changed into a strange flower 21 - Little Bravo 35 - “Oh, you pretty dear” 55 - Mateel sank down on her knees and gazed around 75 - In a great carven chair sat a lady 95 - The little girl playfully clasped her knees 115 - Glimpses of the Wonderful City shall be given to her 129 - Soon he was in her arms 137 - “I think I am going to like you” 141 - “He gave me this keepsake for my mamma” 144 - In their palace by the water wait the king and queen 167 - She started up in alarm 195 - “Open your eyes wide and look at me” 207 - - - - - I. - THE GHOST FLOWER, OR THE WHITE BLACKBIRD. - - -There is a region of our own land, far to the westward, where great -mountains lift their serene heads into the eternal calm of the upper -air. Sunrise and sunset paint them with unearthly beauties; and night, -with its myriads of flashing stars or its splendid moon, shines down on -their white foreheads, and bids them dream on through the coming ages, -as they have done in the past. - -Among their barren valleys one sometimes lights upon a small oasis. A -little mountain stream, fed by the melting snows of the peaks, leaps and -sings and flashes to its grave in the desert sand. Its banks are fringed -with cottonwood trees, and the short grass and underbrush flourish in -their shade. - -Usually, some energetic American or Chinaman is ranching it there, and -claiming all the valley; but far away from the towns and the mines one -may sometimes come upon a band of Indians, living their own lives -separate and alone in their secluded valley. - -A generation ago, a fierce war raged between the whites and the Indians; -and during its progress a train of emigrants, passing near an Indian -village, was attacked by the warriors of the tribe. All the whites were -killed, except one little child, who crept away into the sagebrush, and, -worn out with fear and fatigue, dropped asleep. There the wife of the -chief medicine man of the tribe found her; and when the little one -opened her eyes, and, putting up a piteous lip, began to sob, the woman -gathered her into her arms with tender “No, no’s” and soft guttural -cooings, that soothed and quieted the child. For the Great Spirit had -lately called her own baby “far over the terrible mountains” to the -spirit land. And this little one crept into the bereaved heart of the -Indian mother. - -She took the child to her husband, and received permission to keep her. -And so the little girl, with her lint-white hair and blue eyes, grew up -among the other children of the valley. Soon after the massacre of the -wagon train, the tribe withdrew from the vengeance of the white soldiers -to a fertile, wooded valley, hidden in the heart of the mountains. Here -little “Snow-flower,” as she was named, lived happy with her foster -parents. Her Indian mother was very proud of her childish beauty, and -took excellent care of her. She bathed her often, in the clear water of -the little river that ran through the valley; for, contrary to the -popular belief, the Indians of the mountain are cleanly in their habits, -and bathe their persons and wash their garments frequently, if water is -plentiful. She braided her fair hair, and made for her pretty little -dresses of pink or red calico, bought at the trader’s store at the -agency, many weary miles away. - -In the winter, she wore over her dress a warm fur coat reaching to the -ankles, with a hood at the back to draw over her head. This was made of -the skins of jack rabbits. Warm leggings and moccasins helped to keep -her warm, and she was usually very comfortable. - -Sometimes the supply of pine nuts would give out, the fish refuse to -bite, or the jack rabbits become scarce and shy. Then the only -alternative was to go to the hated agency. - -At such times little Snow-flower was hidden in some secure place and -warned to remain quiet; for her Indian mother was haunted by the fear of -separation from the child. She knew that inquiries had been set afloat -at the agency for a little one, said to have been saved from the -massacre, and her heart told her that the child’s kindred would claim -her, sooner or later. So, for many years little Snow-flower never saw a -white person. - -When she asked her Indian father or mother why she was so different from -the other children, they told her The Great Spirit had made her so, and -she was content. - -“Perhaps it’s because I am the great Medicine Chief’s daughter,” she -said to her father; and he gravely nodded. - -She was very fond of both of her foster parents; but her love for the -medicine man was mingled with awe. When she saw him dressed for some -religious dance or yearly festival, in his strange medicine dress, with -his face painted in grotesque and horrible pattern, she fled to her -mother and hid her face in her lap. She loved her mother devotedly, and -her love was returned. The woman was like all Indian mothers, very -gentle and kind to her little daughter. The little girl was never -punished, and was always spoken to in the soft, low voice peculiar to -Indian women. “Little daughter,” “Little Starlight,” “Little -Singing-bird,” were the fond names bestowed on her. - -The years passed quietly by, until Snow-flower was ten years old, when, -one summer day, the medicine man came into the tepee looking very ill. -He threw himself down on the pallet on the floor and soon was -unconscious. He lingered so nine days, anxiously watched and cared for -by his wife and Snow-flower. On the tenth day he opened his eyes and -beckoned his wife to him. - -“I must go far over the terrible mountains, into the heart of the -sunset, into the spirit land. You will come soon; watch for the token I -will send you.” - -Then, closing his eyes, he was quickly gone. And the tepee was very -desolate and lonely to the wife and little Snow-flower. - -All through the long days and the bright starlit nights the wife watched -for the token he would send her, until her knees grew weak, and her head -drooped, and she could not walk. Then little Snow-flower fed her, and -waited on her, and also watched for the token that was to be sent. One -day she crept into the hut and knelt by the Indian woman. - -“Mother,” she whispered, “I have seen a strange sight: a flock of -blackbirds lit close to our home. I thought to snare some for your food; -but as I approached them, I saw that one of them was shaped like the -rest,—but, mother, he was pure white; and he lit on the ridgepole of our -home.” - -Then the pale wife raised herself on her elbow, her eyes shining with -joy. - -“It is the spirit-bird, dear little one; it is the token. Go now, -quickly, up the dark ravine; follow to its source the spring that runs -past our door. I have never allowed you to go there, for a dark spirit -lives in that dread place; but now, do not fear; the spirit-bird will -protect you. Go into the deep wood that grows around the fountain head. -You will come to a fallen log. Watch closely; and come and tell me what -you see.” - -So little Snow-flower, shaken with fear and grief,—for she knew that her -mother must soon leave her,—followed the little rill, up the dark -ravine, to its source. The white blackbird flitted ahead, and wherever -he rested, the sunlight broke through the thick leaves overhead, so that -she walked in light all the way. Presently she came in sight of the -fallen log, and her heart stood still with fear; for, sitting on the -log, wrapped in his blanket, and smoking a long-stemmed, strange-looking -pipe, was the medicine man, her foster father. As she came toward him, -he arose and fixed on her his bright eyes; and then he spoke in a soft -voice that seemed to come from a long distance. - -“Little pale-face daughter, take this pipe to my wife. It is a token -that you have seen me. Tell her I am lonely without her; that she must -be ready when the sun is setting to go with me, through the sunset -gates, into the spirit world. As for you, my daughter, your path lies -there,” pointing toward the east; “follow it to your own nation and your -own kindred;” and, laying his pipe on the log, he was gone in an -instant. - -Little Snow-flower, almost overcome with fear, ran quickly to the log. -She picked up the pipe, which changed in her hands into a strange -flower; the leaves, the stem, and the blossoms were all white. It was -the Ghost flower, or Indian pipe. - -Hurrying back down the ravine, she ran with flying feet into the tepee. -The Indian woman snatched the flower from the child’s hand and kissed -it, then listened anxiously to her story. - -“Yes, little one, I must go. I had hoped that you might go with me; but -the Great Spirit does not will it so. And before I go, you must leave -me; I must see you started on your journey.” And then she told her of -her rescue, and of her parentage. - -“This was tied fast round your neck. I hid it, and told no one.” She -showed the little girl the case of a gold locket, with a scrap of -closely written paper within. “Take this to the agency. The paper talks; -but do not fear, it is not bewitched. The agent will speak for it, and I -believe it will tell you where to find your kindred. Now hasten, dear -child; the sun will soon reach the cleft in the mountain, and then I -must go. I will see you again; my husband’s power is great; he will let -me come to you whenever you find a flower like this—the Ghost flower.” - -Then, with tears and sobs, they separated. And when the sun was setting, -a great flock of blackbirds flew straight into its splendor; and among -them were two white ones: the souls of the medicine chief and his wife. -And poor little Snow-flower had begun her long journey to the agency. -She left the valley secretly, crept away without bidding any one in the -tribe farewell, for her Indian mother feared that they might detain her. -The medicine chief’s home stood apart from the rest of the village, and -was approached by the villagers with fear. When it was known that he was -dead, the tribe buried him and mourned for him. But the mother and the -daughter were unmolested in their grief. - -A few days after Snow-flower had left, a kind-hearted woman ventured -near. Great was her surprise to find the tepee empty; and it was -believed by all that the medicine man had come for his wife and -daughter, and had conveyed them to the spirit world. - -Little Snow-flower followed the path as far as she had gone in the old -days with her foster mother; but when she came to the cave where she had -been concealed, she was at a loss to know which way to go. She wandered -on, frightened and weary. The food she had brought with her was almost -gone. One night she lay down beside a strange-looking trail. There were -short logs laid across it, and on these were long slim logs or poles -made of iron. It was in a valley between two great mountains. She -wondered at it greatly. It was either a trail made by some wizard or -medicine man, or it was made by that strange tribe to which she -belonged, and of which she had heard for the first time that day, the -“pale-faces.” - -But at least there was companionship in it, after the horrible -loneliness of the mountains. So she snuggled down near the trail, and -went to sleep. She was awakened by a terrible rumble and roar that shook -the earth around her. Something all fire and flashing eyes went -shrieking and hissing past her. She screamed with fear, and tried to -run, but her feet refused to carry her. The monster went a little way, -and then stopped. Some men sprang from its back and came toward her, -carrying a light. She saw that they were fair, like herself, and then -she fainted. - -The men came hurrying on. It was a special train, carrying the -superintendent of the road, and a friend. “Did you say the massacre was -just here?” said the gentleman. - -“Right about here—perhaps a few feet farther north.” - -The gentleman sighed. “And has nothing been heard of the child?” - -“The Indians positively declare that she is living somewhere in the -mountains, and that she is well cared for, but refuse to tell anything -more.” - -“Well, I must have the child, if she is to be found on— Why, what is -this?” he exclaimed, as his foot struck against the soft little body of -Snow-flower. She shivered and moaned. - -“What in this world! a little white girl, dressed like a little Indian!” -cried the superintendent. - -“Let me see the child. She looks as my sister Mary did at that age. What -if this is her child, the little one I am searching for? Here, let me -carry her into the car; she is mine; I am sure of it,” said the -gentleman. - -And so little Snow-flower awoke from her swoon to a new and wonderful -life. It almost seemed in later years, as she looked back to that time, -that she had entered another world; for she found love, riches, -education, all awaiting her. - -Once or twice since, in lonely walks, she has found the Ghost flower; -and always then appears the vague, misty outline of her Indian mother. - -A few days ago, her little son (for she is a woman and a mother now) -came into the house crying, “Mother, I saw a white blackbird. It was -with a great flock of black ones; it was just like them, only it was -white.” - -She hurried out of the house hoping to find the spirit-bird; but it had -visited her, found her happy, and hastened back to the spirit land. - - - - - II. - THE LITTLE YELLOW MOCCASINS. - - -A clear river goes winding down, past green and shaded banks, through -the beautiful state of Iowa. It is named the Cedar, although the Oak, or -the Maple, or a dozen other names would be more appropriate, for the -Cedar is seldom found among the abundant trees that grow beside it. - -Years ago, the Indians dwelt on its banks. They led an idyllic life: the -men fished in the blue waters, or hunted and trapped in the woods; the -women planted the small clearings with corn. These corn-fields may still -be seen, covered with little hillocks resembling in size and shape those -seen in a prairie-dog village; the corn was planted in these mounds, -instead of in rows, as with us. - -Here the women worked and gossiped,—the babies in their cradles, -strapped to their mothers’ backs, or propped up against the trunks of -trees, and staring with round black eyes at the new and strange scenes -around them. - -Among the women was one pretty young mother, who watched, as she worked, -her little son in his cradle. She talked or sang to him as she passed -him by. She named him “Little Bravo,” “Little Hunter.” She told him that -she was growing very old now; that he must step out of his cradle and -take care of her. Then she would laugh, showing her white teeth, and the -baby would wag his head from side to side, and laugh in sympathy, -revealing two cunning little teeth also. All the fond talk that a white -mother lavishes on her baby was told over by this Indian mother; for -mothers are alike in their love, whatever their color may be. - -The years passed merrily along, for happy hearts make the hardest life a -merry one. The Little Bravo was a large boy now. Ten summers and winters -had passed since he came to his proud father and mother. He had learned -to row a canoe on the river, to fish, to set traps, and with bow and -arrow to bring down the wild duck and the prairie chicken. Soon he would -be a man, a—young brave indeed,—and go with his father to hunt the -bison, or on the warpath. - -How many daydreams his mother enjoyed over his future! She saw him in -fancy a great chief, leading the tribe in war and in peace; she saw him -returning from war with many scalps of the enemy; saw him in the home -with wife and children, while his father and herself, grown old and -gray, sat in the warmest corner of the tepee and told his children -stories of their father’s brave deeds. - -As she dreamed her daydreams, she busily worked on the fine clothing -with which she adorned him and his father; for it was her delight that -they outshone the rest of the men of the tribe in the splendor of their -raiment,—hunting shirts and leggings of the finest tanned skins, adorned -with fringes and gorgeous with crude embroidery, and moccasins of the -yellow buckskin, trimmed with beads and porcupine quills. - -The boy was a noble little fellow; brave, warm-hearted, and merry. But -the Great Spirit saw that the doating love of father and mother was -ruining the gift He had placed in their hands. - -One summer night the heat hung heavy over the land. It seemed an effort -to breathe. Black clouds hung sullen in the sky, and in the west the -lightning was flashing and the thunder was rumbling. “There will be much -wind and rain to-night. Where is our son?” said the father. - -“Down on the river’s bank asleep,” answered his mother. “I sat long -beside him, and brushed away the stinging insects that annoyed him. He -has taken off his moccasins, the heat is so great, and his little feet -are bare. He is very beautiful as he sleeps. I will lift him without -waking him, and bear him into the storm cave.” - -She hastened quickly down to the river, for the storm was rapidly -approaching. Just as her hands reached down to clasp her boy, there came -a vivid flash of lightning, and two strong hands (the hands of the -spirit who lives in the water) reached up, and grasping the boy firmly, -drew him down under the water. - -Where, but a moment before, the rosy, dreaming boy was lying, was only -the print of his body in the grass, and the two little yellow moccasins, -shining like gold. - -The mother gave a scream; the father came bounding to the spot; together -they sprang into the water, and dived again and again, striving to find -their son. The storm broke over the river in great fury, tearing off -great limbs of trees, and dashing their tepee to the ground; but neither -knew that it stormed. Finally, half dead, and heart-broken, they sought -the bank. The mother sat down and gathered the little moccasins to her -heart. “My son, my son! O spirit of the river, give him back to us!” she -moaned. - -The father arose and straightened himself, and, looking into the dark -sky, he said: “It is the will of the Great Spirit. He gave him to us. He -has taken him away again.” Turning, he walked away into the forest. - -But the mother sat there beside the river many days, moaning, “My son, -my son.” No food passed her lips, no sleep came to her eyes; and always -she kissed and clasped to her heart the little moccasins. - -One night, when the stars were flashing in splendor, she raised her eyes -to the sky, and beheld that pathway made of star-dust, that leads to the -spirit land. And while she gazed, longing to follow it, she felt the -pressure of a small hand on her shoulder. She turned, to meet the -loving, smiling gaze of her son. - -“O Great Spirit, I thank thee! The dead is alive again! O my son, I -grieved for thee! Why didst thou stay away so long?” - -And the boy said, “Come, dear mother; we are to follow yonder path -to-night,” pointing upward. “I have come for thee, because thy weeping -grieves the happy ones.” - -Then gladly the mother placed her hand in that small clasp; but first -she said: “Stay, dear child; here are thy moccasins. Thou wilt need -them; the way may be rough.” - -The boy, laughing, held up to her gaze one of his feet, on which flashed -and glowed a moccasin of shining yellow, like the color of a star, and -he said, “Lay down the moccasins, dear, and thou shalt see how a -mother’s love shall be remembered.” - -She placed them on the ground, and at once a plant sprang up beneath -them. It grew rapidly, and on its highest branches the moccasins were -fastened. They shrank in size, and changed into flowers, keeping, -however, their original shape and color. And the boy said, “These -flowers shall bloom on forever beside this shining river; long after the -red man is gone, they shall bloom.” - -Then, wondering and happy, the mother followed her son along the -star-strewn path to the spirit land; and not many moons later, the -father, from the midst of battle, went to them. - -Long ago, the Indians left the banks of the beautiful river, but the -yellow flowers bloom on beside its clear waters; and the white children -call them the “Orchid,” or “Lady’s Slipper,” or give them their real -name, the “Indian Moccasins.” - - - - - III. - THE LITTLE GHOST WHO LAUGHED. - - -Dolores sat beside Aunt Polly, in the door of the cabin. The setting sun -shone on her yellow curls, changing her into a veritable “Goldilocks,” -peeped into her blue eyes, until she was obliged to shut them. It shone -on Aunt Polly’s black face, causing it to glisten like black satin, and -on her clean calico dress and white apron; for this was Sunday evening, -and she was resting from her labors. - -Across the fields, its light was reflected from the roof and chimneys of -“The House,” as Aunt Polly called it; for there she had lived as a slave -before the war, and to her it was the only house of importance in the -neighborhood. Dolores watched the sun climb from the roof and chimneys -to the gilded points of the lightning-rods, turning them to flashing -spear points. Then it was gone; and she breathed a sigh. - -Aunt Polly heard it. “What’s the mattah, honey girl?” - -“I’m lonesome, Aunt Polly; won’t you tell me ’bout the little ghost girl -up at the house?” - -“Now, sugah, I have to be away from home all day to-morrow, and you’ll -be here alone; that story will make you feel skeery.” - -“I won’t be afraid. Besides, I’ll go to school, maybe.” - -“Bless yo heart now, will you? Well, I’ll tell you then, ’cause yo goin’ -to be so good. Well, honey, when I was a young girl, I lived up at The -House; that was befo’ the wah. I was one of the house servants, sort of -waitin’ maid, and table maid, too. Well, one stormy night, I was in the -dinin’-room, settin’ the dinnah table. The rain and sleet was bangin’ -aginst the windows, and it was growin’ mighty dark. I thought I’d go out -and shut the shuttahs; I thought I’d run out the front doah, and close -the pahlor shuttahs too. The lamp wasn’t lit in the hall yet, and as I -went through, it seemed to me I saw somethin’ white curled up on the -lower stair. I opened the front doah so that I could see bettah what it -was, and then I turned and went to it, and there, cuddled all up in a -heap, was a strange little girl. She had a little peaked white face and -great blue eyes, and her hair was about the coloh of you-all’s. She had -on a little white dress, and had somethin’ in her hands—looked like a -man’s cap, and it was all torn and bloody; and there was blood on her -dress. - -“‘My land, honey, whar you come from?’ I says, and she huddled down -closer than ever, and began to cry just like her heart was most broke. I -stooped down to pick her up in my ahms”—Aunt Polly’s voice sank to a -whisper—“and—she—wasn’t—there. I rubbed my eyes and looked agin, then I -run to the doah and looked out; but they wasn’t nobody about. Then I got -so skeered I banged the doah shut and run whoopin’ and screamin’ to the -kitchen. Aunt Susan, the cook, grab me by the ahm. ‘Shut yo haid, girl, -and tell me wha’s de mattah,’ she said. So I done told her all about it, -and she just dropped all in a heap and she say: ‘O my Lawd, O my deah -Lawd, the judgment am a comin’ agin! Tell me, gal, was dat baby laughin’ -or cryin’?’ and I say, ‘Cryin’;’ and she say, ‘Ooh, my poo’ mistess;’ -and I said, ‘Oh, Aunt Susan, what is it?’ She say: ‘Gal, you done see a -ghost. Dat’s no baptized baby; dat’s a poo’ child dat was muhdard yeahs -and yeahs ago by some wicked limb of dis fambly, fo’ to get its money. -Whenever dat child comes here a weepin’ and a moanin’, dat’s de sign of -a death; if it comes a laughin’, den it brings good luck to we-alls.’ - -“Well, I was that skeered to think I’d done seen a ghost, that I shuck -all over, and couldn’t wait on the table. Well, honey, I kep’ a waitin’ -for a death or somefin as bad; and ’bout a week later, my mastah’s -oldest boy was out huntin’, and the gun went off too soon, and blowed -the top of his haid plum off. They brought his torn and bloody cap home. -I’d—seen—it—before. - -“Aftah that, I was always watchin’ for that ghost-child, but I nevah -seen her no more. But she came after that, fo’ my old mastah died; and -there was othah troubles. Finally, aftah the wah, my old mistress moved -to the city with young Mistah Tom, and left the house in the care of the -overseeah of the plantation. Once a yeah Mistah Tom comes down and stays -a week or so, lookin’ aftah things. He used to bring a lot of company -with him, but since ole Miss died, he’s sobered down; don’t seem to cah -fo’ company no more. - -“And now, sugah, you come go to baid, so you can get up early, and go to -school.” - -“Aunt Polly, tell me first, do please tell me, where did you get me?” - -Aunt Polly looked at her doubtfully. - -“I dunno as you need to know. But yo ma was a lady, and yo pa a -gentleman. You come of a good stock. Sometime I’ll tell you, but not -now; so you go to sleep.” - -The next morning Aunt Polly was up and away early. She left a dainty -breakfast spread out for Dolores, and a little tin pail packed with a -lunch for her school dinner. Dolores wakened later and lay debating the -question of school. It is needless to say that Aunt Polly, with her lax -government and her fondness for the child, was spoiling her completely. -Dolores was a law unto herself, and came and went as she pleased. She -was looked down upon by the girls at school, because she lived with Aunt -Polly. She did not tell this to her, for she knew she would resent it -bitterly. So she avoided them as much as possible, and many hours when -Aunt Polly supposed that she was at school, she was wandering in the -woods and fields. - -She thought of her half promise given the night before in exchange for -the ghost story, and resolved that she would go. - -“My mother was a lady, and my father a gentleman; then why need I care -for those white trash? Aunt Polly is better than they are. I reckon I’d -better go. And I’ll go past the house, and peek in at the hall where -Aunt Polly saw the ghost.” - -So she hurriedly put away her breakfast dishes, tidied up her room, -locked the door, hid the key, and started on her way to school. She -crossed the field and came to the old house by a path through a grove of -old trees. This side of the house was never used; the shutters were -closed; and the trees grew so close to the house that their great -branches scraped against the walls, causing a creaking, groaning noise -when the wind blew, that had frightened the timid colored people away -from the neighborhood. - -Dolores put down her pail and books. She sat down a moment to rest in -the shade, for the sun was hot. That resting-spell was the undoing of -her good resolutions; for, glancing above her, she discovered a squirrel -watching her, who began to chatter, as soon as he knew that she had seen -him. - -“Oh, you pretty dear, come down and I’ll feed you,” she said; and then -she thought, “I wonder if he has a nest up there; I’m going to find -out.” And soon she was among the lower branches of the tree, steadily -working her way to the top. - -The squirrel turned with a jerk and a squeak, and disappeared through an -open window that the branches had concealed from below. Dolores, -following, found that one shutter was gone, and that the wind, during -some storm, had forced in the sash, while a limb had grown in through -the window. She pushed her way in past the limb, in spite of the -squirrel’s remonstrance, and found herself in a large attic, which -extended over the entire unused wing of the house. The squirrel -scampered up the side of the window-casing, and sat scolding her from -above. - -The attic was filled with a rich treasure-trove for Dolores. There were -old spinning-wheels, broken chairs, an empty cradle, a great old -four-posted bed, and a number of trunks and boxes to rummage in. That -was as far as she could see in the gloom, but no doubt beyond her range -of vision were more delights. What a lovely place in which to play! The -cradle for her dolls, an old clock to take to pieces, and dozens of old -garments to dress up in. Several wonderfully queer old bonnets hung -against the wall. She put on one (after shaking off the layer of dust -with which it was coated), and glanced in a broken mirror to see the -effect. Her merry laugh echoed through the attic as she beheld her face -framed by the bonnet. And then she heard a sharp exclamation from the -room beneath her, the scurrying of feet, and the slamming of a door. - -Crouching down behind the cradle, she waited developments; but no one -came; so in a little while she grew bold again. - -“I think I won’t go to school after all. I reckon it’s too late, anyway; -I’ll stay here to-day. But first, I must go back and get my dinner-pail -and books. I can study up here just as well as at school.” - -And soon Dolores, watched by the protesting squirrel, had slid down the -tree, secured her books and dinner-pail in her apron, and was back -again. And then began her delightful, if naughty, day. She wound up the -clock, polished up the broken mirror, pulled the lighter articles of -furniture here and there, tried the spinning-wheel, and finally settled -down to the delightful task of exploring the boxes and chests. - -In the meantime, down below, in the kitchen of the old house, an excited -group of colored people were talking. Aunt Polly was the centre of the -group, and was relating, for the benefit of a new comer, her experience. - -“I tell you, I done heerd that ghost-child agin. No, I didn’t see it, -but I heerd it. I went ovah to the noth wing to put away that ar seed, -as Mistah Jones told me to do, and while I was in that dark, lonesome -bedroom above the pahlor, I heerd a child laugh, just as cleah and sweet -as a bird; it sounded just right beside me. Oh, I was so skeered, I run -and banged the doah after me. You don’t ketch this child goin’ in that -pawt of the house no moah.” - -“Aunt Polly,” asked one breathless listener, “wasn’t that the room whar -the murdah was committed?” - -“Yas, em; yes indeedy; the poor child was strangled in its sleep.” - -Just then the voice of Mr. Jones was heard. “Here, hurry up in there; -got too much to do to stand here gabbling. You know Mister Tom comes -to-night; he wants this place to be shining.” Each one hurried off to -her work. Aunt Polly, with a toss of her head and a sniff, proceeded -leisurely to hang out the white curtains and bed-linen she was doing up -against the arrival of her beloved Mistah Tom. - -Dolores ate her dinner when she became hungry, gave some of it to the -squirrel, and played on until the shadows in the attic indicated that -evening was coming. Then she scrambled down and ran for home. She had -time to brush the dust from her clothes, wash her face and hands, and -lie down on the bed and fall asleep before Aunt Polly returned. By the -time supper was ready and Dolores awakened, Aunt Polly had forgotten to -ask about the school, in her eagerness to tell the important news that -Mistah Tom was coming, and that she had heard the little ghost-girl’s -laugh. And in a little while Dolores again had forgotten everything in -the dreamless sleep which comes to tired children whether they are good -or bad. - -She awoke in the morning to find Aunt Polly already gone. Not long -after, the little truant followed and, climbing her sylvan stairway, was -soon in the delightful attic. She had explored all but one chest, that -was pushed under the eaves. The other chests had yielded up a rich -treasure, but she was curious to know what they all contained before she -enjoyed the contents. So the little box was pushed close to the window, -for it was growing dark in the attic. Dolores could hear the rumble of -thunder, and the rain was beginning to patter on the shingles; she was -not the least afraid of a storm, and proceeded leisurely with her task. -The little chest was locked, but the key hung obligingly tied to one of -the handles by a string. She unlocked it, and raised the lid. Who can -say what loving, breaking heart looked last into that little box? For, -carefully folded away, with dead roses in each dainty garment, was a -little girl’s wardrobe, complete,—the finest linen undergarments, -trimmed with delicate laces, little white silk clocked stockings, little -heelless slippers of blue and red kid, all faded and spotted with age -and mould; the loveliest little lace-trimmed dresses with short waists, -puffed sleeves, and long skirts. Dolores hesitated a moment before -examining them. On top of them was placed a note in a woman’s hand. She -laid it aside and did not read it, until she had finished the -examination. She opened it at last, and read, “This is the wardrobe of -my dear little dead daughter Dolores.” - -She closed the lid down gently, sprang up, and went to the window. “I -must go home; I don’t like this old attic. I’ve been a wicked girl to -come here. But how did that little dead girl come to have my name?” - -She started to climb through the window, and saw that it was raining -very hard; a steady downpour that promised to last all day. She returned -to the chest, laid the note carefully aside, and again lifted out and -unfolded each garment. How beautiful they were! Time had given them the -delicate, mellow tint of old ivory. Dolores dearly enjoyed pretty -clothes, and had possessed but few in her short life. She was charmed by -their dainty quaintness. - -“They look like they’d just fit me—I’m going to try on a suit—the lady -would not care—I’ll be very careful of them.” - -So on went the pretty underclothing, the white silk stockings, and -little heelless slippers. Then over her head she slipped a little white -dress, hemstitched and hand embroidered. Her hair, which Aunt Polly kept -tightly braided, was loosened in soft waves around her face and neck. -The broken mirror revealed a little maid of the beginning of the -nineteenth century; such a charming little maid, that Dolores was -delighted with the vision. - -“My, but she’s sweet; Little Dolores, do you like coming back to life?” - -And then her busy brain recalled the story of the little ghost-girl. “I -have a great mind to go downstairs. If any one sees me, I can run back.” -She looked questioningly at the little figure in the glass. “Dolores, -shall I go? You tell me, for I am you to-day.” The little shadow nodded. -“Very well, then, I will.” - -She went to a door she had noticed, tried it, found it unlocked, and -ventured out. - -A flight of stairs led down into a narrow corridor, flanked on each side -by closed doors, and this led into the main hall. She stole shyly out -into this, and proceeded toward the great stairway; but to reach it, she -had to pass an open door. Some one was moving leisurely about in the -room. She peeped in, and saw a young colored man unpacking his master’s -clothes. He had carefully arranged the toilet articles on the -dressing-case, and was trying one of the silver-backed brushes on his -curly locks, with an unlit cigar between his teeth, evidently extracted -from a full box on the dressing-case. - -Dolores swung the door slowly open, and the man, seeing its reflection -in the mirror, turned and confronted her, in her quaint dress, standing -in the soft gloom of the hall. She was pointing a threatening finger at -the stolen cigar, frowning and biting her lips to keep from laughing, as -she saw the horrified look on his face. Evidently, he had heard of the -little ghost; the cigar fell from his lips, and his knees knocked -together: he was too frightened to speak. - -When Dolores could control her face no longer she turned, and ran back -to the attic. The colored man fled to the kitchen, declaring that he had -seen the ghost; and that if Mass Tom didn’t go back to the city, he -would, for he wasn’t goin’ to stay in no old house full of ghosts. - -Aunt Polly met her Mr. Tom, on his return from hunting, at the door, and -told him the marvellous tale. - -“Wait till I change my clothes, Aunt Polly, and then come to the little -library, if there’s a fire there, for I am chilly; I’ll hear all about -it then;” and he hurried upstairs. - -In the meantime, naughty Dolores had tired of the attic, and, having -enjoyed her first adventure, had sallied forth to meet others. Not -encountering any one, she ventured down the wide stairs, peeped into -numerous rooms, and opening a door into a very cosy one, small and snug, -with a fire burning on the hearth, she drew a big cushioned chair in -front of it, sat down to watch it, and fell asleep. About an hour later, -Aunt Polly was met in the hall by Mister Tom, who looked very much -surprised. - -“Come into the library, quick, Auntie; I’ve found the little ghost,” he -whispered. Aunt Polly followed, her knees trembling beneath her. Seeing -the little figure in the chair, she started for the door, but thought -better of it, and ventured nearer. Getting a good look at the ghost, she -saw it was Dolores, and sank limply down by her on her knees. - -“Well, well, well, I declare for it, it’s the hand of the Lord,” she -whispered. - -“Who is she, Aunt Polly, and where’d she come from?” - -“She belongs to this fambly, Mistah Tom, and I’ll tell you by and by -whar she come from; but whar she got them clothes, or how she got in -here, is more than I can tell you.” - -Just then Dolores stirred in her sleep, opened her eyes, and seeing them -watching her, jumped to her feet. - -“Is this Mr. Tom? I am the little ghost-girl, and I bring you good -fortune;” and she looked up into his face and laughed. - -Aunt Polly grunted, “You need a good lambastin’ fo’ skeerin’ me so,” she -said wrathfully. - -Not long after, Dolores and Aunt Polly went to live with Mr. Tom. A -wrong was righted, and the little ghost-girl walked no more. - - - - - IV. - TITANIA’S MAID OF HONOR. - - -“Mammy, I wish dis yer rabbit could talk to me; ’pears like he wanted to -tell me somefin’.” - -“Well, Mateel, yo take him in yo arms and lay down on yo baid, and I’s a -goin’ to conjur’ dat rabbit so he kin talk to yo-alls.” - -The little girl took her pet in her arms and lay down, holding the soft -furry ball close to her ear. The old mammy, whose duty it was to take -care of the little darkies on the plantation while their mothers were at -work in the field or the house, sat down by the child, and slowly, -soothingly, passed her hand over the little dark head; presently the -large eyes closed, and half awake, half asleep, Mateel heard her say,— - -“Now, Mistah Rabbit, tell Mateel yo news.” - -And to her intense surprise, the rabbit, slipping from her arms, sat -back on his haunches, and, regarding her intently, commenced:— - -“Mateel, have you ever heard of the fairies? And do you know where they -live?” - -“No, Mistah Rabbit. What is they for, and what do they look like?” - -“Oh, I haven’t time to tell you; I’m due in Fairyland now. Do you want -to go with me? Because if you do, you must come at once.” - -And the rabbit began to hop impatiently toward the door. - -Mateel joyfully slipped from her bed and followed him out of the house. -The rabbit hopped ahead until they reached the thick shade of the woods -that grew close to the little cabin. Here he paused, and, turning to -Mateel, said briefly,— - -“Give me your hand.” - -Mateel stooped down and seized his paw, when, to her surprise, she felt -herself grow smaller, or the world larger; the trees seemed as tall as -the clouds; the grass and leaves that grew among them reached far above -her head. - -The rabbit now remarked,— - -“We must go through a bit of rough country just here, so perhaps you had -better hold tight to one of my ears.” - -Mateel, in some alarm, grasped the friendly ear, and felt herself lifted -along in tremendous jumps and leaps, over great gnarled roots, over -rocks and briers, until her strength and patience were all but -exhausted. Finally, they dived down what seemed the bed of a dead -streamlet, came to a deep pool of water, which the rabbit took at one -flying leap with Mateel clasped in his forepaws, and they found -themselves in a wondrous world. - -It was Fairyland. Where is it? and how shall we find it? Ah, that is the -mystery; but of this you may be sure,—wherever children are, close to -their homes lies Fairyland; and if only the small wild things of the -wood could talk to you, perhaps you might visit it, as Mateel did. - -She found herself in a court or pleasance, beautifully carpeted with the -rarest moss. The richest, softest shades of brown, of fawn color, of old -rose, and of tenderest green, mingled and blended in its coloring. -Mateel sank down on her knees and gazed around. A soft green tint was -over everything. It came through the leaves that closely roofed it over. -These were supported by straight trunks, that arose to a great height, -where they separated into two stems; and each stem bore a leaf that -overlapped its neighbor; at the point where the stems separated, an -immense creamy white blossom with a golden centre hung down like a bell. - -“Why, they are May apple blossoms,” cried Mateel, clapping her hands in -ecstasy, “Oh, how lovely! how lovely! May apple plants as large as -trees.” - -Not a ray of sunlight filtered through the large leaves; a delicious -sense of peace pervaded the perfumed twilight, and Mateel, who was -always tired lately, felt that she could rest here, and gave a happy -sigh. - -And while she rested and waited for something lovely to happen, she -heard the rain falling on the leaves of trees somewhere at a great -distance above her. - -“It’s raining, Mateel, but you needn’t worry; the rain never reaches -here,” said the rabbit. - -“I am not worrying,” said Mateel, contentedly. - -“The rain is almost over, the sun is setting clear. It will be starlight -soon, and then will come the fairies. But now I must leave you; try to -sleep and rest, and when the fairy queen comes, I shall be in her train, -and will present you.” - -So Mateel contentedly sank back into the soft moss, and let her tired -little body rest, while the rain played her a soothing lullaby. The soft -light grew more dim, and a sweet sleep came to her eyes. - -When she awoke it was growing very dark in the fairies’ court. Mateel -sat straight up and looked about her. From far distant depths of the -wood tiny men were coming, bearing little lamps, which Mateel saw were -fireflies and glowworms; these they placed in the cups of the great -flowers, and swung in festoons between the trunks of the fairy trees. -The little men disappeared, and she was again alone; but now the court -was flooded with light soft and radiant, just the kind of light in which -fairies look their best. - -And while she sat enfolded in this soft light, from a distance came the -sweetest music that mortal ear ever listened to. Indeed, but few mortals -have heard its exquisite cadence. There was one man, who lived long ago, -when people knew that there were fairies and shuddered at real ghosts -and witches, who not only heard the fairy music, but heard and -remembered their songs, and has written them down in a beautiful poem, -and named it “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” So Mateel sat and listened, -while the music grew clearer and louder; and presently a wonderful -procession came into view. First came the musicians; and will you -believe it?—they were crickets and cicadas. But they were playing in -Fairyland, for the king and queen of the fairies; and the music they -give to fairies is different from that which they give to mortals. Close -after the musicians marched a regiment of fairy guards to their -majesties; and then came grandly dressed noblemen, stepping backward and -bowing at each step; and then, under a canopy of richest velvet made -from pansy blossoms, came Oberon and Titania! The queen was all in -white; her dress of lily petals was trimmed with dewdrops; back of her -shoulders two gauzy white wings shimmered and glowed with each graceful -motion; on her dainty head sparkled a crown of gleaming points of light; -her arms were bare, and in her hand she carried a shining wand. - -King Oberon was in blue armor that shone like sapphires with every -motion; it was made from the shells of blue beetles. After them came a -multitude of fairies; pretty ladies of the court in brilliant -flower-dresses, with dainty wings at their shoulders. They reminded -Mateel of a great flock of butterflies. The fairy men were, like the -king, in armor. - -Mateel eagerly looked for the rabbit, and saw him walking with a group -of wise-looking fairies, who were undoubtedly learned judges and -philosophers. - -The bright procession marched once around the court, and then the queen -and king seated themselves on a green bank spread with violets; a -shining little herald announced that the fairy revels would begin. - -But waving his hand, the king said gravely, “We will first hear the -arguments, and perhaps the witnesses, in the case of the accused maid, -once lady-in-waiting to our gracious queen.” - -Here the queen put a lovely cobweb handkerchief to her eyes, and said:— - -“They may bring all the evidence they want to, but I know that she is -innocent; I am sure that Katie didn’t;” and she stamped her little foot. - -Then the king said soothingly, “Well, well, dear, don’t be too positive; -perhaps Katie did.” - -The queen would have answered, but just then the rabbit rose and bowed, -and the king, who seemed slightly nervous, cried,— - -“Our wise and learned friend the rabbit may speak.” - -And the rabbit, bowing again, made an eloquent speech, in which he said -that although the evidence was very strong for and against the -defendant, yet he would beg a postponement of a decision until the -learned counsel had found the answer to an unimportant question, which -was, What did Katie do? - -The king answered that perhaps it might be as well; for although -convinced in his own mind that Katie did, he was anxious to allow her -every chance to re-establish her good character. - -The queen declared that there was no use in having the trial at all, as, -whatever it was she was accused of, Katie didn’t, didn’t, didn’t; and -Titania was beginning to look vexed, when the rabbit, bowing again, -asked if the queen had chosen any one to fill Katie’s place during her -(he hoped) temporary absence. - -The queen had not, for she said,— - -“Katie is a changeling, and where may I find another mortal?” - -The rabbit, bowing low with his paw on his heart, asked permission to -tell Titania a story, and the queen sighed, and answered,— - -“Yes, if it’s not very long.” - -So the rabbit began:— - -“There was once a boy, a mortal, who was out hunting. He had gone deep -into the woods; night was coming fast; like all boys, he had a fear of -the dark and lonely woods. He was walking very fast, and whistling (as -mortals do to keep up their courage), when he heard a child crying; he -listened, and then, thinking of wild animals, hurried on faster than -ever. But the crying grew louder, and presently, right in his path under -a huge linden tree, he found a little child, just able to walk alone, -and to talk a little. It was unlike any child he had ever seen: brown -hair, brown eyes, and brown skin. It was dressed in some strange silky -material, and round its neck was a necklace of the claws of some wild -animal. - -“The boy picked the little one up and carried it home. It was handed -over to the old colored woman who has charge of the little colored -children on the plantation. The boy claimed the child as his slave, and -named her Matilde, which usage has changed to Mateel. - -“She has lived, but not thrived, on the coarse fare and rough usage -accorded the other little ones. She was petted and noticed by the young -master for a day or two, then forgotten for many more. As the years pass -she will have great beauty. She has never had a friend but her young -master. - -“Your Majesty is generous and kind; would not the little maid take -Katie’s place?” - -Then the queen, springing to her feet, exclaimed:— - -“No, she cannot take Katie’s place; no one can do that; but she shall -have her own place in my train, close at my right hand. Where is the -child; have you brought her to Fairyland?” And the rabbit said, “I have -brought her, gracious queen.” - -So Mateel was brought into the presence of the king and queen and their -court, and the queen, touching her with her shining wand, changed her -into a bonny brown fairy, with shining brown eyes, and a beautiful dress -made of petals of the red rose; for she was among the maids of honor -most dearly loved by Titania. But the question of Katie’s guilt or -innocence is still unsettled; for on summer nights you will hear the -fairy lawyers still declaring that “Katie did” and “Katie didn’t.” - - - - - V. - BRAN, THE WOLF DOG. - - -On a high cliff overlooking the ocean, on the western coast of Ireland, -stand the ruins of an old castle. The short grass grows on the floor of -the great hall, and the wind sighs and howls through its broken walls, -with a sound half human, half animal. - -The peasants for generations have named it “The Wolf’s Castle.” Even -long years ago, when it was tenanted by kindly folk and was running over -with life and happiness, it had already earned its grim name. - -Max had been out hunting. He had spent the day in the woods and fields, -and now as night fell, dark and lowering, he hastened his steps. The -first scattering drops of rain struck his face, and the wind was rising. -It moaned and howled like the distant cry of a wolf; it made Max feel -strangely nervous and frightened. “Frightened!”—he laughed at the -thought. “A boy of twelve frightened by the wind!” - -And yet, listen! the patter of the rain (coming faster now) sounds on -the leaves like the stealthy tread of some animal. - -“If it is a wolf, it is the ghost of one; for there are no wolves in -this country now,” thought Max. “How like a sigh from human lips the -wind sounds!” - -“Home at last, I am thankful to say;” and Max ran swiftly round to the -back door. As he closed it, the wind gave a long-drawn wail, and he -almost fancied a hand strove to draw him back into the darkness. - -“I think I need my supper,” thought he. “Fasting makes a fellow -light-headed.” - -Entering the kitchen with exultant heart but studied indifference, he -threw his game down on the table before the admiring cook, and then -hastened to change his dress. Soon, over a good supper, he had forgotten -the uncanny night outside, though the wind still howled and the rain -beat against the window. - -After supper Max went into the library. How cosy and comfortable it was, -with a fire in the grate, an easy-chair drawn in front of it, and the -shadows dancing over books and pictures! - -“I’ll sit here in front of the fire and rest,” thought he. He sat there -mentally reviewing the day’s sport. “I need a good dog,” he said. “I -must have one. Why, what is that?” For there, lying in front of the -fire, basking in the heat, was an immense dog, with shaggy coat and -pointed ears. Max called to him:— - -“Here, old fellow; here, Bran,—why, he knows his name. How did I come to -know it, I wonder!” For at the first call, the dog had raised his head -and beat his great tail upon the floor. At the mention of his name he -sprang to his feet, and came crouching and trembling with joy to lick -the hands and shoes of the lad. - -“What is it then, good dog? Tell me your story, for I’m sure you have -one to tell,” coaxed Max. - -Did he tell it, or did Max dream? For as the dog rested his head on the -boy’s knee and looked with liquid, loving eyes into his face, Max -glanced round the room and saw a strange transformation: the walls -widened, the ceiling rose to a greater height, and was crossed by great -black beams. On the walls hung shields, spears, great swords, and -numerous other articles of war and of the chase. - -The polished grate had grown into an immense fireplace, and the floor -was covered with what Max supposed were rushes. But the people in the -room interested him most of all. On the opposite side of the fireplace, -in a great carven chair, sat a lady, young and very lovely,—her dress -some rich dark green material clasped at the throat and waist by heavy -golden clasps, her bare arms heavy with gold armlets, her long black -hair falling in shining waves around her, and her eyes,—the sea was in -them,—gray or dark blue, and in moments of anger flashing greenish -yellow like the eyes of some animal. - -She sat with her elbow on the arm of her chair, her head resting on her -hand, looking into the fire and listening to the music of an ancient -harper, who sat in the background, softly striking the chords of his -harp. - -The firelight, dancing over the room, caused strange shadows; and Max -fancied himself one of the shadows, for his chair was filled by a boy of -his own age, sitting just as he had been sitting, with the great dog’s -head on his knee; and notwithstanding his strange dress, Max started -with a feeling almost of terror, for the boy was his double; it was like -seeing himself in the glass. - -A storm was raging around the castle, and above the soft music of the -harp could be heard the rush of the wind, and the roar of the ocean -dashing at the foot of the cliff. - -The lady shivered and glanced round the room. “I wish your father were -home, Patrick. How glad I shall be when peace comes again.” - -“I wish I were old enough to lead the clan to battle, then father could -remain with you.” - -“What? become a dotard? Out upon you!” Her eyes flashed at the boy, and -the dog, raising his head, gave a low growl. “Why do you not have that -beast speared? You know I hate him,” said the lady. - -“He was given to me (as you know) by the good fathers at the monastery. -They told me always to cherish Bran, for he would save me from demons, -as well as wolves. See the silver crosses on his collar. Nothing can -harm us while Bran is here.” - -The lady cast a look of fear and hatred at the boy and the dog. “Be not -too sure,” she said. Springing to her feet, she walked back and forth -through the room. Her step was smooth and graceful; she made no sound on -the rushes as she walked. - -Presently there came a lull in the storm, and from somewhere back in the -hills came the howl of a wolf. The lady paused and listened, then -turning to the boy she said in a hurried manner, while her eyes sought -the floor: “I feel ill; I am going to my room. Let no one disturb me -to-morrow; if I need help I will call.” And as she turned to leave the -room, suddenly she paused. “Get you to bed, Patrick, chain up that dog, -and—you are the hope and pride of your father—I lay my commands on -you—do not hunt to-morrow.” - -Then the lady was gone; but Bran was trembling and growling. “He heard -the wolves howl,” said Patrick to the harper. The old man looked into -the fire and was silent. - -Presently Patrick arose, and bidding the harper good-night, went to his -room, closely followed at the heels by the great dog. To his surprise, -awaiting him in his room was the housekeeper, an ancient woman, who had -been his father’s nurse. She rose when Patrick entered, and came toward -him. - -“My mind is troubled, child,” she said; “I must tell you my story.” - -“What is it, nurse?” - -“It is about my lady Eileen, your stepmother. May I speak?” - -“Tell on,” said Patrick. “But remember, I will hear nothing against my -lady;” for he well knew that the nurse bore the young stepmother no good -will. - -“Well, listen, child. You were not here when your father married my -lady. You had not left the monastery where your father placed you for -safety while he was beyond seas. I must tell you first how she came -here. - -“Fingal, the huntsman, told me that one day, when your father was -hunting alone, he was followed all day by a wolf. It would lurk from one -hillock to another, but when he turned to pursue it, it would disappear. -Finally, at noon, when he sat down to rest, it came creeping and fawning -to his feet. He was tempted to spear it, but did not, out of surprise. -Presently it disappeared; but in the gloaming it returned, and followed -him clear to the gate of the castle. This my lord told to Fingal, and -greatly did he marvel. That same night,” whispered the nurse, -mysteriously, “came a call for help, and when the gate was opened, there -stood a beautiful woman (my lady Eileen) who told how she had lost her -way and her company as she journeyed to St. Hilda’s shrine. Your father -bade her enter, and she has abode here ever since; for soon he married -her, and she became our lady.” - -“Well, well, nurse, I knew of her coming, and I know also that she was -no waif, but of a noble house and high lineage, as her coat of arms -bears witness,—a wolf couchant. But why explain all this to you? Right -glad am I that she came to gladden my father’s heart and brighten our -home.” - -“Yes, child, but listen; this only brings me to my story. My lady has -strange spells of illness, and always after a wolf howls.” The boy -started impatiently, but the old dame, laying her hand on his arm, -compelled him to listen. “The last time it was moonlight. I was up in -the turret opposite her window; her lamp was lit, and I saw a strange -sight. My lady was springing with long leaps backward and forward over -the floor, and wringing her hands. Presently she went to her closet, -took from it a wolf’s skin, slipped it over her dress, and I do not know -how she got outside the walls, but I saw her presently speeding away -with long leaps toward the hills.” - -“Nurse, nurse, are you crazy? It is my lady of whom you speak. Never let -me hear you breathe that story again. Think of my father’s wrath, should -this come to his ears.” - -Still the old woman shook her head and mumbled in wrath, and speedily -betook herself away; while Patrick, laughing heartily at her foolish -story, went to bed. But all night above the roar of the storm could be -heard the howling of wolves. - -The morning broke wild and gloomy; the castle seemed lonely and dreary -without the cheery presence of Lady Eileen. Patrick went once to her -door and knocked, but received no answer. Presently Fingal, the -huntsman, came in, armed for the chase. Bran followed close at his -heels. “Will my lord hunt to-day? The wolves were among the flocks last -night, the shepherds tell me.” - -Patrick hesitated, remembering his lady’s commands, but he decided -finally to go. Soon he was ready, and issuing from the gates, he and -Fingal and the dog were lost in the mists that enveloped the hills. - -Long did the household wait their return. Night was brooding: over the -castle when Fingal’s horn was heard at the gate. In answer to the -warder’s call his voice came sternly through the night: “Bring help, and -come quickly; my lady is dead.” To the grievous outcries and questions -that arose he would return no answer. - -Soon an excited group were hurrying toward the hills, and presently the -torches revealed a sad sight. The first to come into view was their -young lord, crouching on the ground, with the dog’s head clasped in his -arms; Bran’s throat had been torn and mangled, and he had been thrust -through with a spear. Patrick was wounded and torn in many places; blood -was flowing down his face and throat, and his tears were falling on the -dog’s head. Not far away lay Lady Eileen, quite dead. Very beautiful and -placid she looked, as if sleeping; but on her throat were marks of great -teeth. - -“Take up my lady and bear her to the castle,” said Patrick; “as for -Bran, you must bury him here.” - -“Nay, child, he is only a dead dog,” said the old nurse, fussily. But -she was met by a stern command to be quiet. - -“Do as I bid you,” he said to the servants, and then added, “The good -dog went mad, and attacked my lady. I could not save her. Let my father -know this, should I die;” and then the boy fell backward, fainting. - -To the father it was a sad home-coming when, a few days later, he -returned from war,—his beautiful young wife lying cold and dead in the -chapel; his son very ill, calling always for Bran to save him from some -deadly peril. - -Greatly the household marvelled how their lady came to be out in the -mist and the storm, alone on the hills; but Fingal, the huntsman, sought -his two gossips, the nurse and the harper, and told this tale of the -day’s hunt. - -“We had followed the wolves all day, and several had been killed. But -there was one gray wolf, who seemed the leader of the pack. This one my -lord singled out, and followed from valley to valley. Bran would not -pursue it, but slunk and cowered after his master, whining pitifully. -All day we followed it, until, late in the gloaming, it had headed -toward the castle; and we pressed it hard. It finally turned at bay, -and, springing at my lord’s throat, it brought him to the ground. Bran -was lagging behind, and I was urging him forward. When he heard my -lord’s cries, the dog flew at the wolf. The beast then turned on the -dog, and as I ran to help to spear it, I saw—” here the huntsman’s voice -sank into a whisper—“I saw no wolf, but my lady, tearing and rending the -dog, while Bran’s teeth were buried in her throat. - -“‘Separate them! save them!’ cried my lord; and I, not knowing what else -to do, watched my chance and thrust the dog through the body. He sank -without a groan, relaxing his grasp on my lady’s throat. My lord gave a -cry of despair, and my lady, hearing it, crept over to him and -whispering, ‘Forgive; I could not help it,’ sank dead at his feet. But -Lord Patrick passed her by, and threw himself down by the dog; while I, -half distraught, came home for help.” - -Then said the nurse, “See that you hold your tongue, man, for if this -story come to the ears of my lord, your body will want a head.” - -But from that time forth the Lady Eileen was spoken of as “The Wolf -Lady,” and in time, the grim name of the “Wolf’s Castle” clung to her -old home. - -In the years that came and passed, Patrick became chief in his father’s -place; and then a cairn was raised over the body of the faithful dog. - - -Max awoke to find the fire out; shivered, and sprang to his feet. “What -a strange dream!” he said. - - - - - VI. - THE CORN FAIRY. - - -Little Theo sat up in bed and looked out of the window. “It’s going to -be a nice day; the little girl will be in the corn. We will play all day -long. I must hurry; she doesn’t like to wait.” - -Presently, her breakfast eaten and her little tasks all finished, she -was running as fast as her feet would carry her toward the wide fields -of Indian corn. In a few moments the great blades were rustling above -her head. They formed green arches, down whose long vistas the little -girl eagerly peered. Soon, with a satisfied laugh, she ran with -outstretched hands down the corn rows, and her voice came back -chattering, laughing, asking and answering questions. - -Theo’s mother had often heard her speak of the little girl, or young -lady, or old lady, who played or talked with her in the cornfield; but -being a very busy woman, and having little time to give the child, she -did not pay much attention. If she heeded at all, she thought some -neighbor or her children had met the little girl while passing through -the cornfield. To-day her attention had been aroused, and she began to -wonder who it was that Theo was so eager to meet. - -So when Theo ran down to the cornfield, her mother followed closely. She -saw her disappear in the corn, and marking the place, hurried after. She -could hear the child’s voice close at hand, and another’s, that sounded -sometimes like a human voice, and again like the wind sighing in the -corn. After a short search, she saw at a distance her little daughter. -But what was she doing? Clasping in her arms a group of cornstalks, and -looking lovingly up among the green waving blades. But stay. Were they -cornstalks? It surely was a beautiful young woman, dressed in trailing -robes of green silk; her hair the color of corn silk, waving around her -face and neck. - -The little girl playfully clasped her knees, while the lady, laughing, -bent over her, swaying and bending as corn does in the wind. “Am I -losing my senses, or am I bewitched?” wondered the mother. She was -tempted to call her child to her, and take her away from the field, but -she seemed so happy. - -Presently Theo sprang away from the corn, and called back, “You cannot -catch me.” The wind suddenly blew the tossing corn-blades together. When -it lulled again, she saw her little girl running down the row, and close -in pursuit ran the young woman. No, stay. It was a child, following -closely after Theo. On they ran, laughing, calling, and presently they -came back, panting. - -Theo flung herself down to rest in the shade of the corn, and so did the -little girl. But now, it was not a little girl, but an old woman who sat -there. Her face, half hidden by her hood, was wrinkled and yellow. She -had a long cloak, with the hood closely drawn over her head. Her -clothing was made of some material the color of cornhusks, and was -coarse and stiff. - -Theo rested her elbow on the old woman’s knee, and looked up into her -face. “I almost think I like you best this way,” she said. “You make me -think of such comfortable things,—gathering nuts and apples, and of -pumpkin-pie, and—and—Christmas, and going to grandpa’s on Thanksgiving.” -The old woman nodded and sighed. - -“Do you feel sad again?” Again she nodded. - -“About the corn-husking?” A nod. - -“But you know next summer will come, and you can begin all over again.” - -Just here Theo’s mother thought, “I must stop this; the child is talking -either to a ghost or a witch. Theo,” she called, “come to me.” - -The child sprang up from her seat and came to her mother, rubbing her -eyes. - -“Now, mamma, you’ve frightened her away; she won’t come back again -to-day. She doesn’t like folks.” - -“Theo, who in the world are you talking about; and why do you race up -and down the corn rows, laughing and chattering to yourself?” - -“Well, I’ll tell you, mamma; but first let us go to the house; she might -not like to hear me.” - -Soon after, they were seated in the cool shaded parlor. The mother took -the little girl on her lap. “Now, Theo, tell me,” she said. So the -little child began. - -“Well, mamma, it began long ago, by me being so lonesome. I haven’t any -one to play with, and one day I was out in the cornfield when the corn -was just as high as me. And I spoke out loud, and I said, ‘Oh, dear, -what shall I do for some one to play with me? I shall go distracted’ (I -have heard you say that word, mamma)! And I said, ‘I wish a little girl -would grow out of those cornstalks;’ and just as I said that, the stalks -parted, and out stepped the nicest little girl. She was so pretty! She -had such curling brown hair, and blue eyes, and her dress was of green -silk; and when she laughed, her teeth looked like little grains of white -corn, and she was rubbing her eyes, as though she had just waked up. And -she knew me, mamma; she said, ‘Why, Theo, did you come to play with me?’ -and pretty soon we were the best friends you ever saw. And every day we -played and played; only she never would tell me where she lived, and she -wouldn’t ever come home with me to play. But one day, when the corn had -grown way high above my head, and the roasting ears were getting ripe, -she changed all at once into such a pretty young lady. At first I cried, -for I didn’t want to lose my little girl; but the young lady was so -lovely, mamma, and she sang to me, and we talked; and so one day last -fall, when the cornstalks were turning yellow, I found my young lady had -changed into an old one. And I was afraid of her at first, she was so -bent over, and was queer looking. But I got real well acquainted with -her, and she told me stories about gathering nuts, and about squirrels -and birds, and oh, lots of things, and I just love her now! - -“Well, I wanted to tell you, but you didn’t pay much ’tention when I -talked to you; so, when husking time came, my poor old lady wrung her -hands and cried, and told me good-bye, and I just couldn’t ’dure to see -her go, and my dear cornfield torn down, and I have felt so lonesome. - -“Well, this summer, the little girl came back, when the corn was tall -enough for us to play in; and now we know each other so well that she -changes just for fun, from a little girl to a young lady, and then to an -old one; and she keeps me uneasy, mamma, for I never know just when she -will change. She told me once she was an Indian woman, and that she was -civilized now,—and that’s all.” - -Theo ended with a sigh of relief that the story was told. The mother -looked at the child long and curiously. “Well, I declare!” she said. But -that night she said to Theo’s papa: “We must send Theo to school. The -child’s head is filled with all sorts of nonsense; it’s time she was -taught something sensible; and, if I were in your place, I would turn -that cornfield into pasture-land, and invest in more cattle.” - -“I have been thinking of that myself,” he answered. - -By and by the mother asked, “John, was that cornfield ever used by the -Indians as a burial place, or anything?” - -“I don’t know,” he answered musingly. “I used to plow up arrow-heads, -and pipe-bowls of red sandstone, when I first broke the prairie sod. Why -do you ask?” - -“Oh, just because,” she answered. - - - - - VII. - AT THE WAYSIDE CROSS. - - -There is a border land that lies just beyond this everyday life, but not -within the bounds of dreamland. We call it, for want of a better name, -“The land of fancy, or of waking dreams.” - -A young mother lay in her white bed, and close in her arms nestled the -little soul whose life journey was just beginning. It was twilight time, -and the mother lay half asleep, half awake, close on the confines of -that border land. - -The rain beating on the window, the fire purring in the grate, played a -soft accompaniment to her thoughts. - -“What will my little baby’s life be,—happy or sad?” questioned the -mother. “Oh, dear All-Father, if I might know!” thus she prayed. And -while she asked and wondered, a soft rustle by her bedside caused her to -glance up. Above her and the sleeping baby leaned a tall bright angel, -in garments soft and white like snow, with folded wings like the petals -of some great white lily. “What is it,” wondered the mother; and a soft -voice answered: “I am your baby’s angel. Your prayer has been heard. -Look.” And the mother, following the angel’s glance, saw at the foot of -the bed three gray shapes, three mysterious woman forms. There they sat, -solemnly regarding the little one. In the hands of one was what the -mother knew to be a distaff; from it, a fine thread passed to the baby’s -hand. “Ah, that is why you clasp your hands so tightly, my darling, lest -you lose the thread,” said the mother. - -The next sister held a pair of shears in her hand; her eyes were sad and -downcast. The last one had empty hands, but she spoke with authority, -and she said: “Sisters, this new soul is bound for the city on the -heights of Peace. How shall she reach it?” - -Then spoke the one with the distaff: “Ah, sister, she is little and -weak. She is a woman child. May she not go by the way that leads through -the valley, where there is pleasant shade, and the birds sing all day -long?” - -The eldest answered: “Who that takes that route reaches the city? Do -they not wander away into the defiles of the mountains, and the heights -are lost to them? Nay, sisters, she shall go by the way of tears till -she come to the wayside cross.” - -Then the pitying one raised the shears to cut the tiny thread of life, -but the other stayed her hand. “Let me read to you her destiny,” she -said. - -The angel bent low over the mother and child. “Be strong, be -courageous,” he whispered; and the mother’s fears were stilled. - -Then spoke the Fate: “This soul shall early be acquainted with sorrow; -and the angel of pain shall walk hand in hand with her. But close beside -shall walk the angel of patience. Her little feet shall be pierced with -thorns and bruised with cruel rocks. But beside the stony path sweet -flowers will bloom. She will hear the lark sing up in the blue, and at -every turn in the path she will look backward and see that she is -climbing higher. Sometimes, to strengthen her, shall be given her -glimpses of the wonderful city. And always her guardian angel shall be -with her to minister to her. - -“As the years go by, she will not journey alone. She will be happy, for -love will lighten the way. Then suddenly shall she come to the wayside -cross. There a great horror of darkness shall settle over her, her -strength shall be taken from her, and she shall lie with her face in the -dust. - -“But at the cross, the clouds will separate, the mists roll away, and -she will find her journey almost accomplished. For behold, from it a -wonderful stairway of pearl and gold leads up into the heart of the -city; and her loved ones will hasten to greet her, and stretch out their -hands to help her on her way. She will have gained the heights of Peace, -and will be an inhabitant of that wonderful country, a citizen of the -golden city.” - -Then the mother, weeping tears of sorrow and of joy, was satisfied, and -the tiny baby stirred in its sleep, and nestled closer to her heart. - - - - - VIII. - IN QUEST OF THE DARK. - - -Little Gene, up at the castle, was missing. The night had come on, and -the woods that inclosed the cliff on which the castle stood, and that -swept down the valley and up the opposite heights, were hushed and -still, or sighing dolefully in the summer wind. The servants were out -with torches, calling, and running in every direction. Some one -suggested letting out the dogs; but that, the lady would not allow. She -would not have the child torn to pieces by the great wolf-hounds, she -said. She sat in her room and wrung her hands in despair. For the -twentieth time she questioned the weeping nurse, who grew more -frightened and confused with each question. - -“Most noble lady, I saw him last in the courtyard. He called to me and -said: ‘Nursie, I will run away out into the deep wood;’ and I answered -that the Dark would catch him if he did, and then he could never get -home again; and he said: ‘I am not afraid of the Dark. I will find him, -and tell him so; and I like the Dark.’ And then—I brought him into the -play-room, and I—” - -“Stop right there!” cried the mother. “You did not bring him in. You -intended to do so; but in talking with the men-at-arms and other idlers, -you forgot my son; and now, he is either in the grasp of that robber -chief Montfort, or the wolves have found him.” - -Here the mother’s and the nurse’s outcries blended; and if the nurse’s -shrieks were loudest, there may have been cause; for a noble dame’s -white hand could strike heavily, in those days. - -The whole night through, the mother and the nurse mingled their tears -for their darling, while the search went on. The men-at-arms and -servants loved the boy, not only that he was the son of their lord but -for his own quaint ways and bonny face. - -Early in the morning the seekers came straggling in, tired and hungry; -no trace had been found of the child. All feared to tell their lady of -their fruitless quest. She had not ceased, all night, to walk the floor, -weeping, and asking herself how she would dare tell her husband that -their boy was gone. The nurse crouched by the door, trembling, and in -sore distress; while the seekers asked of each other who was to tell -their mistress. While they lingered, a shout from the valley caused all -to hasten to the castle wall. A horse and rider came rapidly toward them -from under the trees; clasped in the rider’s arms was little Gene; his -yellow curls glistened against the man’s black armor. - -Placing the child on the ground, the stranger bowed low to the lady, -turned his horse, and disappeared into the forest. The mother scarcely -saw him; her eyes were on her boy. She reached out her arms to him. - -“Gene, little Gene, my dearest, come.” The little fellow kissed his hand -and waved it to her. Soon he was in her arms; and she held him close, -while she questioned him. - -“Where have you been, Gene, and who was yon dark man who brought you -home?” - -“That was the Dark, mamma. Nurse does always tell me that the Dark will -catch me; and when I say that I do not fear, she threatens to send me to -him. I asked her where he lived, and she said, ‘In the day-time, in the -great vaults under the castle;’ and I asked her where he lived at night, -and she said, ‘In the deep woods.’ So I said I would find him, and tell -him I did not fear him.” - -“Did you think to frighten his father’s son with such baby lore?” asked -the lady of the nurse, scornfully. - -“But continue, my son; tell me, how went you out from the castle?” - -“There is a little door through which—but dear mamma, I cannot tell you -what is known only to the men-at-arms.” - -The lady glanced round darkly. “This castle needeth its master sorely,” -she said. The men drew back abashed. The boy continued,— - -“When I came out into the woods, I left the path that leads -away—away,”—he spread out his dimpled arms and looked far off,—“I know -not whither it goes, but I left it, and sought the deep wood. The -shadows are heavy there, and it is very still. While I stood under a -tree, uncertain which way to go, suddenly down toward me, through the -trees, came the Dark.” - -“Holy Mary! it was some robber,” exclaimed the mother. - -“No, mamma, I tell you, it was the Dark. He was very black; his armor -was black, and so were his beard and his eyes. He looked at me as though -he wanted to eat me. But I said, ‘Are you the Dark? I come to find you -and to tell you that I do not fear you.’ And then I looked at him, and -he laughed, and I said, ‘I think I am going to like you;’ and he said, -‘Who are you? Have you strayed from Fairyland?’ - -“So I told him who I was, and he frowned and said, ‘Careless woman, to -guard such a treasure so slackly.’ Who did he mean, mamma?” - -The lady’s face flushed. “Continue, my son; did he harm you?” - -“Oh, mamma, no. He found me some berries and a drink from a spring; and -then he showed me how, at his coming, the little birds went to sleep in -the trees, and the deer beneath them. And he showed me the stars, coming -out in the deep sky. And when I grew sleepy, he held me in his arms, and -sang of the white moths, and the glowworms; and the bird that sings at -night sang with him; and then I went to sleep. But when morning came he -found a great black horse, which was his; and so he brought me home, and -made me promise never to seek for him again. I did not want to promise, -only his eyes looked so that I feared him; so I promised; and he gave me -this keepsake, for my mamma.” - -Here little Gene drew forth from his sleeve a piece of parchment, which -he handed to his mother. - -The lady was obliged to call to her aid the priest, who read slowly:— - -“Thou careless woman, guard this treasure more securely, lest he fall a -second time into the hands of Montfort.” - -“Holy St. Denis! it was that fierce robber,” said the lady. - - - - - IX. - THE KING WILL HUNT TO-DAY. - - -This story was told by an Indian mother to her children, while the wind -whirled and twisted the snow into great heaps against the walls of the -tepee. - -“This that I will tell you happened many years ago, before the white man -was here, and when the red man owned all the vast prairies and deep -woods, the great lakes and broad rivers of this land. The red man ruled -over every living animal, save the great bear, who dwelt in the dim -vastness of the forest, and the gaunt wolves, who submitted to the rule -of a king, strong and terrible. - -“One winter the frost came early; the rivers were frozen solid; the snow -covered the nuts under the trees and the roots that were eatable. The -animals sought their dens and burrows, and the earth slept the -death-sleep. All living things suffered, the red men most of all; there -was fasting and sorrow in all the tepees—in all save one, where lived -the Wolf-Maiden and her mother. Their tepee was warm and bright—warm -with the furs of animals, bright with the light of great dry logs -blazing on the fire. The daughter was plump and rosy, for she had plenty -of food; but the mother was thin and pale, and sat all day with her face -hidden on her knees, in the corner of the tepee. Every night the -daughter called the mother to come with her; and the mother followed, -trembling, not daring to disobey. Those who watched them saw them -disappear in the starlight, across the wide, snow-covered prairie, -taking the direction of the ravine, where were the dens of the Wolf-King -and his old wolf-mother. They would return heavily laden with meat and -furs; and frequently the mother bent under a great load of logs. Often -when the children of the village, hollow-eyed and pale, would come near -the tepee, scenting the fragrance of the broiling meat, the maiden would -snatch from the fire a portion and offer it to the little ones; but it -was rejected with horror; for the mothers had told the children that the -meat was bewitched, and if they ate of it they would be turned into -wolves. - -“The Wolf-Maiden was looked upon with fear; for it was said that in the -long summer evenings she had been seen playing and romping with the old -mother-wolf and the young Wolf-King; while her Indian mother, from a -distant hill, watched her, and wrung her hands for fear. So all the -girls of the tribe shunned her, and the young men feared her greatly. - -“Now the winter waxed colder and fiercer, and cruel hunger dwelt in each -tepee. Many little ones died, for there was no food for them; and there -was mourning in the village. The Wolf-Maiden’s heart was filled with -pity; she went to the mothers and offered them meat for the children. -When they drew back she said, ‘Is it not better to give this to the -children than to see them die? Do not I eat it, and am I a wolf?’ - -“Then her face grew red as the sky when the sun bids it good night. The -mothers finally accepted the meat, although with many a smothered curse -for the giver. The children grew strong and rosy again; and the parents -watched them anxiously, to see if claws or fur would appear on them. - -“But the Wolf-King and his subjects grew weary with the toil of -supplying so many with food; and in sulky silence they retired to their -dens and slept the time away. Then, when the Wolf-Maiden had gone to his -den, and had called the king to come to her without avail, she sought -the old mother-wolf, and she said, ‘Oh, mother, dost thou not care that -thy child lacks food? and see, my lazy brother will not hunt for me.’ - -“And the wolf-mother said, ‘Daughter, I know well that it is not for -thyself thou demandest food, but for the helpless beings among whom thou -dost dwell. What is it to me that they starve? Have they not taken thee -from me, and dost thou not blush when thou rememberest that thou wast -once a wolf?’ - -“‘Not so,’ answered the maid; ‘I blush rather for the cruel heart that a -wolf-skin can cover. Give me now my wolf-skin robe: I will find food for -those helpless little ones.’ - -“Then hastily snatching the robe she flung it over her shoulders, and -she was changed into a wolf, and, speeding away across the snow, she was -quickly lost to view in the distance. Then the old wolf-mother sprang to -the door of her cave and sent a cry of alarm and anguish up the valley. -It entered the door of the Wolf-King’s den, and awoke the sleeping -monarch. He ran with great leaps down the valley to his mother’s home. -She quickly told him her story, and bemoaned her own and her son’s -selfishness. - -“‘Thy sister will die, will die! And I, her mother, have sent her to her -death. She is all unused to the hunt, she will perish alone in the -bitter cold! Follow her! Bring her back!’ - -“Then the king ran swiftly down the valley, giving the hunting call as -he ran; and all the wolves of the pack awoke and called to each other: -‘The king will hunt to-day!’ And there was a gathering and mustering of -the strong ones of the tribe. And the king said, ‘Come, follow, follow -quickly, we are on the track of a wolf. I warn ye all, let no one harm -the stranger should we meet with it; for it is my royal sister, returned -to us once more!’ - -“Now the Wolf-Maiden ran long and far over the dim snow-covered plain, -but found nothing; for she was unused to the hunt, and knew not how to -track or to follow. Presently she drew near the great black forest, -wherein dwelt the Bear-King. But this she did not heed, for just on the -edge of the forest an antelope started up from the long, high grass and -brush, and sprang away among the great trees. The Wolf-Maiden followed -closely on its trail. She did not see the wicked eyes, cruel claws, or -gleaming teeth above her. Just as she sprang on the antelope, a blow -from the great bear’s paw struck her down. She sprang to her feet, all -the royal blood in her body aroused by the blow; but who could strive -against that terrible arm? Suddenly through the forest rang the royal -hunting call of the Wolf-King, and the great bear turned to face as -cruel a fate as he had planned for the Wolf-Maiden. Then came the -combat: terrible blows were given and taken, growls and snarls of rage, -the wild joy and glow of the battle. The Wolf-Maiden, forgetting all but -her wolf nature, joined in the struggle, and helped to drag the monster -to the ground. - -“When the battle was over and the bear was dead, the pack withdrew to a -respectful distance, and formed a circle around the dead bear and -antelope. They watched the Wolf-King and his sister divide the spoil; a -large portion for the helpless children, a smaller portion for their -mother and themselves. And when they were served, the wolves closed in -around the carcasses and left scarcely the bones. - -“The Wolf-Maiden returned no more to the Indian village; retaining her -wolf form, she abode with her own mother. But all through the cold of -the terrible winter, the wolves brought down the game, and supplied the -wants of the children; and when the winter was gone, and the birds sang -on the ridgepoles of the tepees, the Wolf-King, his mother, sister, and -tribe removed far to the north land. Ever after, the wolf was venerated -in the tribe and was chosen as their totem.” - - - - - X. - HE WAS A PRINCE. - - -The rain had poured down steadily all day. Max was tired and depressed, -for a slight cold made going out into the rain impossible. All the books -had been read and re-read. There was no one to amuse him but Candace, -the nurse, a mulatto woman of dignified and solemn mien, who always -reminded him of Thorwaldsen’s “Africa,” for her large eyes had a -far-away look, “As if she were remembering things,” Max said. - -She was kind, but seldom talked to him; and as Max had no mother to tell -his thoughts to, they would sit for an hour at a time, dreaming their -own dreams, neither speaking to the other. - -As the afternoon wore on, Max grew more and more restless and his sighs -more frequent. Nurse Candace glanced up from her sewing, but said -nothing. - -Just then the great white cat, “Necho” by name, rose up from his dark -red velvet cushion, yawned wearily, stretched himself, and stepped with -stately grace from the room. - -“Why! he walks like a prince,” said Max. - -“He is a prince at night,” said Candace. - -“Is he? How do you know?” eagerly asked Max. - -“If I tell you, you must not let him suspect, even by your actions, that -you know,” said Candace, “or my punishment—” Here she broke off. - -“I promise,” said Max. - -“Well, it is as I tell you. All day long while the daylight lasts with -us he is under a spell. Once, in the olden days, his father, the king of -Egypt, caused to be put to death a great magician; but before his death -the magician laid a spell upon the great king’s only son, Prince Necho; -and this was it. When night came the prince and one attendant were to -depart to the westward, far over the unknown sea; and when they came to -the land of strangers, the prince must take the form of some animal. - -“When the queen heard this she was filled with despair, and implored the -great cat-headed goddess, Pacht, to have mercy on her son; but all the -comfort the goddess promised her was, that the spell upon the prince -should last only from darkness to daylight; that he might take the form -of the animal sacred to the goddess, the cat; because of his pure and -blameless life he should be a white cat; that while he was under the -spell he should have a kind and loving master, and his faithful -attendant should be with him. - -“Now, when night is settling down over us, and the sun-god is rising -over Egypt, great Prince Necho returns to his own. Not to the present -Egypt, with its lonely ruins and its race of slaves, but to a great and -glorious realm; for the curtain that hides the past is lifted.” - -“And do you go with him? Are you a great princess in Egypt? Oh, may I -not go too? Please, please, Candace, let me.” - -“Peace! child of the stranger,” said Candace sternly. “Is it not enough -that I am revealing the prince’s life to you?” - -Then presently she added in a kinder tone: “Now at night, when Necho -goes to the door and asks to have it opened, you unfasten it for him and -watch him as he walks leisurely to the steps of the porch. But what you -do not see is a great ocean, whose waves lap the steps; and on its waves -rises and falls a galley of gold and precious wood, with silken sails. -This awaits the prince. - -“He steps on board and is received with joy by kneeling subjects. The -white fur robe he wears here is thrown gladly aside, and the prince -sinks to rest, lulled by beautiful music. Speedily he is borne to the -mouth of the Nile, where thousands of boats await his coming. Softly he -is wafted up the river to the great city, where in their palace by the -water wait the king and queen. The father advances with joy to receive -his son. The queen, with tears in her beautiful dark eyes, clasps him in -her arms and kisses into forgetfulness the sad night of humiliation he -has known. All the land rejoices as at the coming of the sun-god. - -“Then begins the real life of Prince Necho. He is taught by the priests -the sacred mysteries he must know as the great ruler of Egypt. He is -taught also the art of ruling himself as well as his subjects. In all -manner of noble feats of horsemanship, of chariot racing, of hunting and -of war he is taught. And the hours are light with happiness and joy and -love. And as the day nears its closing, the father and mother, sitting -by him and clasping his hands, speak of their love and their sorrow, and -of the time when by great gifts to the gods and to the poor, and by -living noble lives, they may expiate the crime of the magician’s death -(beloved of Osiris) and so remove the spell from their beloved one. - -“Now as the sun sinks in the desert sands, behold there is mourning in -all the land of Egypt. And the queen, prostrate on the steps of the -altar sacred to Pacht, implores her protection for her darling; while -the king and the prince, kneeling in the great temple of Osiris, offer -oblations to the offended god. As the twilight deepens, sadly the prince -returns to his galley, and sinking into troubled dreams, is borne to -this land of strangers. And here the waiting attendant wraps the white -robe of fur around him; and he awakes to find the spell not yet removed. - -“But the one bright spot in his dark prison life is the love he bears -the son of the stranger.” - -While Nurse Candace, in a low monotone, repeated her wondrous story, the -night outside the windows darkened, and Necho, coming into the room, -came up to Max and rubbed his head gently against his knee, then walking -to the hall door he asked for it to be opened. - -As Max stood in the open door and watched the enchanted prince go down -the steps, he fancied he saw, through the rain, the sheen of the silken -sails and the gleam of gold on the galley’s prow, and was sure he heard -the hymn of welcome. Returning to the room, he saw Nurse Candace sitting -with bowed head and sad eyes. - -“The attendant does not go with the prince to Egypt,” said Max. - -“The attendant awaits here the prince’s sad returning,” she answered. - -“But the days will not seem long to the prince; he sleeps the time -away,” he said. - -“What better can he do,” answered Candace, “than to make of this life a -sleep and a forgetting, or to wander in dreams in Egypt?” - -Long did Max sit and ponder over this strange story. “Can it be true, I -wonder?” he thought. “It cannot be; it is too wonderful. And yet, -Candace is so strange. And Necho often reminds me of the sphinx. Well, I -will believe it if to-morrow morning I find a lotus blossom on my -pillow.” - -And so, going to bed, he dreamed of following Necho over a sunlit sea to -Egypt. - -Strange to tell, in the morning a blue lotus blossom lay on his pillow -when he awoke. And when Candace came to call him, she glanced at the -flower and started. - -“Where did it come from, Candace?” asked Max, although he was quite sure -that he knew. - -“From the market, of course,” answered Candace. “Uncle Moses” (the -colored man of all work) “was there early, and no doubt brought it home -with the marketing. He must have laid it on your pillow.” - -But Max thought Necho could tell him about the flower, although he was -careful not to ask him, or by his actions to reveal the secret that he -knew that he was a prince. - -A few nights later Max had retired early with a severe headache. He -awoke, after a deep sleep, to find his headache gone, the room filled -with moonlight; awoke to the pressure of a soft hand on his forehead, -and saw Candace bending over him. But how oddly she was dressed! He -gazed at her in wonder. And then it flashed through his mind that her -costume was an exact copy of a picture he had seen, taken from some -rock-tomb by the Nile. It was the ancient dress of an Egyptian lady. - -“Waken, Max, rise and dress quickly; for permission has been granted us -to go this night with the prince to Egypt. Hasten, and I will wait for -thee outside the door.” - -How soft and musical her voice sounded! Soft and exquisite as a haunting -melody heard in dreams. And how wonderfully her strange dress became -her! But almost before he had time to note this, she had vanished softly -from the room. - -Wondering greatly, Max hastened to dress. But what was this? Instead of -his usual garments he found the very oddest dress that was ever worn by -an American boy. Strange to say, he found no difficulty in placing the -different articles, for each one seemed to take its required place -without effort on his part. It was all so familiar, and yet so strange. -Soon he was attired in the most approved costume of a young Egyptian -noble of some thousands of years ago. - -When he had finished dressing he softly opened the door. Candace seized -his hand and hurriedly drew him through the upper hall and down the -stairs. - -And there Max beheld a wondrous sight. - -For the hall door was open. And down the hall and porch knelt two rows -of the prince’s subjects, richly and strangely dressed. But he had small -time to note them; for at the foot of the stairs stood the prince. When -Max saw him in all his glorious young majesty, something in his heart -compelled him to bow the knee; free born though he was, he knelt low -before the prince, for his face was homage-compelling. - -The prince was dressed in dazzling garments, and jewels innumerable -glittered when he moved. From his shoulders hung the white fur robe. - -Taking Max’s hand, the prince bade him rise, and turning to his -attendants, commanded them to hasten. Quickly they stepped on board. -Candace reverently drew the white robe from the prince’s shoulders; -then, settling back among his silken cushions, the prince bade Max sit -beside him. Candace knelt at his feet. And, strange to relate, Moses, in -most gorgeous array, held the insignia of royalty over the head of the -prince. - -Then to the accompaniment of soft music, as they swiftly sailed, the -prince told how he had prevailed on the priests to allow him to take -with him Max and Candace. - -“And they were the more willing,” said the prince, “since it was -predicted by the astrologers at my birth that I should be saved from -great evil by one of an unknown time and race. And the astrologers -assure the priests that the hour has come.” - -Then Candace, looking far across the sea, murmured her thanks to Pacht -that it was come; and Max told the prince how he longed that he might -have the great honor and joy of saving him. - -Then Prince Necho set himself presently to the task of teaching Max the -forms and ceremonies to be observed when they should come into the -presence of the king and queen; and Max learned readily, as one -recalling some half-forgotten lesson. - -When they had reached the mouth of the Nile, they were borne up the -river to the city of the great king. There the royal father and mother -and a great multitude welcomed them to Egypt. The queen kissed Max, and -her lips were cool and soft on his brow as the petals of the lotus -blossom. And afterwards she embraced Candace and thanked her for her -devotion to her son. Then, after many strange ceremonials and great -rejoicing, the multitude were dismissed, and the king and queen led the -way to their private apartments. - -Now it seemed to Max that he remained many days in the palace and saw -wonderful sights; and his soul was surfeited with pleasures. - -But the prince grew restless under this life of ease and luxury, and -longed to break away from it all. One day he said to his royal father, -“I would I might take Max for a day’s hunting; I would show him noble -sport.” - -The queen looked up, pale and anxious; and the king answered slowly, -“Thou mayst go, since the spell is on thee; but beware the lions.” - -And Necho answered: “Why should I fear them; am I not thy son? Then am I -mightier than they.” - -But the queen was weeping. - -Then the next day, early in the morning, they started for the wild -beasts’ haunts in the thick jungles by the river in the royal hunting -grounds. And on the way Necho said: “Max, part of the spell laid upon me -is my mad desire at times to hunt the wild beasts and kill them. When -that desire comes, I know no rest until I have killed.” - -Just then the royal hunters came to them and announced a lion hidden in -the thick reeds. Then Necho, leaving Max in safety to view the sport, -sprang into his chariot and bade his charioteer drive on. Straight -toward the jungle they drove, when out from it sprang a great tawny -beast. At the sight of it Max’s heart stood still with fear. On it -bounded, past the horses, straight at the prince. Swift as thought he -threw his spear; it sank deep into the eye of the lion, and he rolled -over, roaring with agony. The nobles and hunters soon despatched the -beast; and when it was dead all joined in lauding the prince to the sky. - -“Tell me, O prince,” said Max, as they were wending home, followed by -the carcass of the lion, borne on the spears of the hunters,—“tell me, -did you strike purposely at the lion’s eye?” - -“Surely; I could strike at no better place, and I have been trained to a -steady and sure hand.” - -And Max thought to himself that Necho was the bravest as well as the -handsomest prince that ever lived. - -That evening, as the sun was travelling westward toward the desert, -these two were idling away the hour in one of the courts of the palace. -It was a beautiful spot, cool with the spray from the fountain and -musical with the sound of falling waters. They were idly tossing a ball -backward and forward to each other. The prince leaned against a gilded -trellis on which some rare vine was growing. He spoke suddenly: “Max, I -feel strangely restless. When I went early this morning to the temple of -Osiris, the priests told me that I should be in deadly peril this day, -but that Osiris would this night be pleased with me. I would have -hesitated to go hunt the lions this morning, but I thought if Osiris was -pleased with me, I had naught to fear, even if death came. And now the -hunt is over; and I was not in deadly peril.” - -“Surely you were in danger this morning of losing your life, prince; be -assured that is what the priests foretold.” - -“I think not,” answered the prince, and then was silent. - -Suddenly, there came springing through one of the entrances to the court -an immense dog. Max recognized it as a huge mastiff, one of the largest -and fiercest. His voice was a hoarse roar of rage, and his great mouth, -wide open, showed his white teeth. With gleaming eyes he rushed at the -prince; and when Necho saw him, he gave a shriek (strangely like the cry -of a cat) and sprang up the trellis, which began to bend with his -weight. - -“Oh, Max! save me; save me from the magician!” he screamed. - -Max, very much startled and rather shocked at the prince’s fright, -seized his sword and rushed at the dog, who now turned his rage on Max. -The boy struck at him again and again with the sword, and finally with a -sharp thrust of its point he gave the dog his death wound. Max turned, -to see the prince trembling and cowering, with his hands over his face. - -“Look up, dear prince, he is dying. You have nothing to fear.” - -“I cannot look until the life has left him. It is the evil one, who has -this wicked enchantment over me,” answered the prince. Just then, with a -groan, the dog stiffened himself and died. - -Then suddenly, from the palace, from the temples, from the city, arose a -great shout of joy. Max was clasped close in the prince’s arms and felt -his warm tears on his face. Still the shouting went on. It was a glad -psalm of thanksgiving for one beloved of the gods and men, who was -delivered from great evil. “Glory and thanksgiving,” chanted the -priests. “Joy, joy,” sang the people. - -And while they listened, suddenly the king and queen, Candace and Moses, -and a great company were around them. They would have knelt to Max, but -he would not allow it. - -But while he witnessed the father’s and mother’s joy over their son, -suddenly he remembered his own father, left alone in a distant land, and -a great longing to go to him took possession of his heart. He could not -tell this longing to Necho, for already he was planning a happy life in -Egypt, with Max as his other self. And Max knew that when he returned to -his own country he must bid adieu to Necho during this life. - -Now as he walked, troubled in mind, in the palace gardens, the queen -sent for him to come to her, and she said: “Dear Max, savior of my son, -what is it that troubles thee?” - -Then Max laid all before her, and she answered: “It is right that thou -shouldst go, for not only does thy father need thee, but thou dost -belong to a far-away race and age that we may never know. It is not meet -that thou abide here. Nay we must not hold thee, lest we risk the anger -of the gods. Go, then, to thine own country; only sometimes, in thy -dreams, remember us, who then will be only phantoms of a forgotten -past.” - -Her dark eyes looked sadly at Max, and he answered, “Beautiful queen and -loved mistress, I will never cease to remember Egypt and thee and my -loved prince.” - -And while he yet was speaking the sun had risen, and Max was sleeping in -his own bed at home. - -He sprang up to see if the Egyptian dress was on the chair where he had -found it, but his own garments were there. - -He hastily dressed, but while doing so glanced at his hand, and saw the -prince’s thumb ring, which Necho had placed on it the day before. Then -Max knew that he would never see Necho again. He ran downstairs, half -hoping to find Candace in the sitting-room. He found the cook, looking -much mystified. - -“Where is Candace?” asked Max. - -“Sure enough, where is Candace, and Moses too? Not a sign of them can I -find this morning. It’s my belief they have run off, and taken the cat -with them; for I tried to find him an hour ago to catch a mouse that was -in the pantry; not that the lazy thing would catch it, for he never -would catch mice, the spoiled little—” - -“Now, now, cook, you shall not speak a word against Necho,” declared -Max. - -It certainly was very strange (to all but Max), for from that day -nothing was heard of Candace, Moses, or Necho, until one of Moses’ -colored friends declared that he had visited them in a neighboring city, -where they lived quietly as Mr. and Mrs. Johnson. And he further -declared that he had stroked Necho’s back many times during the visit. - -But as the colored gentleman’s statements were always to be taken with a -grain of salt, Max placed no faith in the story; for he knew full well -that Necho and his attendants were in Egypt, where he was indeed a -prince. - - - - - XI. - WHERE THE RIVER HIDES ITS PEARLS. - - -Just where the river bends on its course stands a high point or -headland. It is covered with short, sweet grass and white clover, and -partly shaded with trees. From its highest point there is a beautiful -view of the river, which you may watch sparkling in the sun or dreaming -in the moonlight. To the north the path of the river is almost straight -for a mile or more; to the south the wooded hills on its farther side -confront you, for here it turns and for at least a half mile flows to -the west, before it turns southward again. - -On this headland a company of friends and neighbors were camping; and on -the highest point was built the camp fire. It was the children’s daily -task (or pleasure) to collect sticks and bark to keep this fire going -from dusk until bedtime. Around it the hammocks were swung, and here the -company assembled each night. - -But one night, when the moon was very bright and sent its path of silver -far across the water, all were on the river, except two children and one -who loved them. The children nestled close to their friend, and listened -to the soft voices calling or singing across the water. The summer -breeze broke it into a thousand little ripples of light. - -“How the river shines to-night! it seems full of pearls,” one child -said, softly. - -The other one asked, “Are there pearls in this river as there are in the -Mississippi?” - -“Oh, quantities of them; but the river hides them safely,” answered -their friend. - -“Can you tell us where it hides them? Please tell us,” they pleaded; and -their friend told softly the following legend:— - - -Years ago, before there were any white men beside this river, there -lived in a village just around the bend an Indian boy. He was not -uncommonly handsome, brave, or good, but very much the reverse; and he -spent all of his days and most of his nights idling in his canoe on the -river. He did not fish or set traps or do any of the work that the other -boys did, but allowed his father and mother to furnish him with food and -clothing. His grandfather would shake his head and tell him that some -day he would displease the spirit who dwelt in the river, and that harm -would befall him. But he was wilful, and laughed at the mention of the -spirit. He did not believe there was one; he had never seen it. - -One night when he had been far up the river in his canoe, he came -floating down in the moonlight, just as that boat is floating there. Do -you see that tree that stands out on that point by itself? Yes; just -there was once a sand-bar. The moon shone on it, and the yellow sand was -like gold, as the boy neared it; he idly gazed at it, for he was half -asleep; but his attention was suddenly attracted by a wonderful sight. -He lay down in the canoe and let his eyes come just above its rim, and -this is what he saw as he slowly drifted past. - -An immense mussel shell lay just on the edge of the bar, half in and -half out of the water. It was wide open, and was so large that the half -of it formed a beautiful seat or throne. The upper valve curved over -like a canopy, and seemed to protect a beautiful girl who was reclining -in the hollow of the shell. Her face, a soft bronze in color, stood out -in relief against the mother-of-pearl lining of her throne. Her hair -waved round her in shining curves. Her hands were clasped above her -head. Her dress was of some shining white material, soft and lustrous as -silk; she was gazing up into the moonlit sky, and seemed lost in -thought. But it was not her beauty or her strange appearance that -attracted the boy; his eyes had caught the shine of a wonderful belt she -wore around her waist. It seemed to catch and hold the moonbeams and the -sparkle of the water. It was made of many strings of what appeared to be -the most beautiful wampum the boy had ever seen. (Wampum? Oh, you must -ask your mamma to tell you to-morrow what it is; this is not an -instructive tale, this is a fairy story.) But it was not wampum; the -beads were pearls. The boy had never seen or heard of pearls, so he -naturally decided that it was a belt of glorified wampum, and his heart -went out to it; he longed exceedingly to possess it, for he was -covetous. - -He floated down past the bar, and left the beautiful vision behind him; -but all night long he dreamed of the belt, and vowed to himself that he -would possess it, if the girl ever returned; so he set his wits to work -and devised a plan. He determined to capture her and demand the belt for -her ransom. He secured a stout deerskin, and concealing it in his canoe, -he entered and paddled a long distance up the river. He spent the day in -making out of the skin a strong noose, and practised throwing it until -he was perfect in the art. Then, when night came and the moon was -rising, he drifted as before down to the sand-bar. The beautiful girl in -the great shell was there, and around her waist shone the pearls. -Fortune favored him to-night, for she was asleep. He ventured near her, -his feet making no sound on the sands. When close enough he sprang -toward her, like a young panther on his prey. She jumped to her feet -with a cry, and the noose fell over her head, slipped down past her -shoulders, and pinioned her arms to her side. She tried to break away -from it, but it held her securely. Turning, she saw her captor; her eyes -flashed. - -“Cruel wretch!” she cried. “Why do you treat me thus? Have I not allowed -you the freedom of the waters, and because I thought that you loved -them, have I not guarded you from many dangers? Do you know who I am?” - -The boy answered, “I do not know, nor do I care. You must go with me to -the village; you shall be adopted into the tribe.” - -In vain she implored him to set her at liberty; he would not listen. But -pretending finally to melt under her prayers and tears, he said, “I will -release you if you will give me that belt of wampum you wear around your -waist.” - -The girl looked at him sternly. - -“Can I give away what is not mine? These pearls belong to the river; and -because I am the Spirit of the Waters, I am allowed to wear them. I will -loan them to you, but there are conditions. You must promise that while -you wear them you will refrain from cruel or cowardly deeds, and, -because your heart is evil, you must spend to-day (for day is breaking) -in the deep woods, fasting and alone, praying to the Great Spirit for a -heart pure enough to wear these pearls. If when the moon has waned and -grown bright again, the pearls are not dimmed and you have refrained -from evil, the belt may be given to you. But I know that you will not -keep it; I shall have it soon again.” - -So saying, after he had loosed her hands a little, she unclasped her -belt and held it out to him. - -He snatched it rudely, and said boastfully, “What I get, I keep.” - -Then he hastened to loose the thong, for he saw that daylight was -coming, and he feared that some one would find him there and compel him -to return the belt. - -The girl sprang into the shell; it closed, and sank with her into the -water, while the boy, overjoyed, made off with his prize. - -The pearls were very large, and seemed to shed a soft light around him. -He bound the belt around his waist; it was too short, but he lengthened -it out with strings. - -He entered at once into the deep wood to fast and pray to the Great -Spirit, as he had been told to do. But his mind was so fixed upon the -belt that he forgot to ask for a heart pure enough to wear it. When -evening came, he entered the village. It was the hour of rest after the -toils of the day, and men, women, and children were in front of their -tepees. Very haughtily he strode past his neighbors. Exclamations of -wonder and delight, and questions as to where he had obtained the belt, -assailed him. He answered that he had “found” it, but would not tell -where. - -His grandfather shook his head mysteriously; he did not believe that he -had found it. “The River Spirit is weaving her enchantments for the boy; -I fear for him greatly,” he said. - -This made the boy very angry with the old man, and he treated him -rudely. - -Each day that he wore the belt he grew more insolent and vain. He spent -all his time in admiring himself and the belt. And each day the pearls -grew dimmer. He saw that they were fading, and he tried to brighten -them. He bathed them in the river and polished them with care, but they -did not regain their lustre. - -One night when the moon had waned and come again, he was out in his -canoe on the river. He had asked a younger boy to go with him, for he -feared that, if alone, the spirit would meet him. The child asked him -repeatedly where he had found the belt; finally becoming enraged at his -questions, the boy raised his paddle and struck him. He fell backward -into the water. The boy did not attempt to help him, but turned his back -upon him, and paddled swiftly away. - -The Spirit of the River saw it all, and hastening to the child, she bore -him safe to the shore. The boy hastened up the river until he saw with -alarm that he was near the sand-bar where he had secured the belt; and -when he felt a hand steadily drawing him to the bar, he was frantic with -fear. He resisted with all his might, but the canoe kept steadily on. -When it reached the bar, he was thrown violently out on to the sand, and -the boat drifted away bottom upward. He sprang to his feet, and was -confronted by the spirit; but now she was no delicate girl, but a woman, -strong and terrible. - -“Give me the pearls,” she said, “and the river shall hide them -henceforth from the greed of mortals.” The boy sullenly returned the -belt; and, at a word from the spirit, there came up through the sand and -from the river thousands of mussels. Each shell was gaping wide, and -into each she dropped a pearl. When all were gone, the shells closed -with a snap, and disappeared as quickly as they had come. - -The spirit turned to the boy. “Since you know the secret that the river -would keep, your lips must be always closed. Stay by these waters -forever, and search in vain for the pearls.” - -So saying, she changed him into a sand-hill crane, and he may still be -seen, standing on the sand-bars, looking intently into the water for the -pearls. - - -“We have seen him,” cried the children. “He was over on that sand-bar, -on the other side of the river, this afternoon.” - -By and by the smallest child said, softly, “I am sorry for that poor, -naughty, sandhill crane.” - - - - - XII. - THE MIST LADY. - - -There was once a little girl who was not like other girls at all; for -instead of running and jumping and dancing, she could only walk a little -way, and she had to have two crutches to help her. All day long she sat -in her chair and kept quite busy reading, or playing “just pretend;” for -you know when you play “pretend,” you can change yourself to a fairy, or -a bird, or an enchanted princess, or anything you have in mind; and -then, of course, the time passes swiftly. So the little girl’s days -passed pleasantly. But at night, after she was in her bed, and the house -was quiet, and every one asleep, the pain would come, and that was so -dreadful that the tears would follow. Now the little girl’s hands were -lame, and it was difficult to wipe away the tears; so that she had to -leave them in her eyes, and sometimes because of them she could not see -the kind old moon that shone down on her bed, or the bright stars that -danced and sparkled for her. - -One night the little girl was very sorrowful, for she had heard the -doctor telling her mother that she would never be any better, and that -she might live many years before the kind death-angel came for her. - -And now the tears had entirely blotted out the moonlight; everything was -in a blur. She was trying to brush them away, when the sweetest, softest -voice said, “Do not brush them away, dear; open your eyes wide and look -at me.” - -She did as the voice commanded, and saw the loveliest, strangest lady -that one can imagine. She was so tall, so fair, with such bright eyes, -smiling lips, soft waving hair; and she seemed made of some material so -fine and delicate, that the little girl felt that, if she would try to -smooth her face or clasp her hand, she would feel only substance light -as air. - -Her dress was a soft, floating, waving material like the most delicate -chiffon; it waved and floated about her with every motion. She bent down -and kissed the little girl’s forehead, and the kiss was like a soft -breath of damp air on her face. The sweet voice spoke. - -“If you had wiped the tears away, you could not have seen me, for I am -one of the children of the Mist. Come with me, little Princess of tears; -you shall be one of us, and I will show you where we dwell.” - -So the little girl took the Mist Lady’s hand, and they passed through an -open window. - -The little girl found herself floating softly along through the -moonlight beside her companion. Her garments were like the lady’s, of -the softest, finest, misty chiffon, and seemed to bear her up as though -she floated on a fleecy cloud. - -The lady said: “Even tears are not in vain, for these garments you wear -are woven of the tears you have shed. You could not have gone with me -without them.” - -The little girl laughed and said, “How strange that I should ever be -thankful for the tears I have shed!” - -And the lady answered, “Some day, when it is over, you will be thankful -for the pain also.” - -But the little girl thought that would be impossible. - -So they floated happily along. They stopped to breathe on some drooping -flowers that a careless child had neglected. They crossed a great river, -and presently they came to a mighty cataract. - -“Here is our home, and here are the children of the Mist,” said the -lady. - -The little girl held her breath in astonishment, and so would any other -earth-child at what she saw. For, whirling, floating, dancing over the -cataract, on the shore, diving headlong down the mighty fall with the -water, floating up again from the abyss, were myriads of beautiful -forms. There were large and small, smaller than the little girl. - -The Mist Lady’s eyes sparkled; she held out her hand; “Come, little -Princess,” she said, “let us join them.” But the little girl drew back. - -“Oh, I cannot; I am afraid. Do you go, and I will watch you from this -bank.” - -“Well, then; but sit here where some of us can be with you every moment, -or your garments will wax old and fall from you, and how then will you -reach your home?” - -So the little girl sat close to the falls, where the Mist children -encircled her, clasped her in their arms, kissed her face, and made much -of her. They sang for her and told her wonderful stories of the upper -air, of cloud-land and its palaces. - -The little girl loved the Mist children dearly, for they were so dainty -and graceful, so kind and loving. And they in return loved and pitied -the little “Princess of tears,” for they knew her story well; they had -listened in the night to her sighs, had wept with her, had often lulled -her to sleep by tapping on the window pane. So they were old friends of -hers. - -By and by the Mist Lady came to her more fair and radiant than ever. - -“Come, little Princess, let us go; for we must meet the dawn-angel near -your home.” - -So the little girl waved a last farewell to the Mist children, and -contentedly placed her hand in the hand of her guide; and they floated -on, around mountain peaks, over fair valleys, and over the bosom of a -clear lake, where the moonlight was sleeping. - -Presently the eastern sky grew rosy; and flying toward them from its -radiance, came a great white angel bearing in his arms golden shafts of -light. The lady and the little girl veiled their faces as he passed them -by. Then, hastening home, the little girl found herself in bed just as -the sun’s first beams kissed her face. The Mist Lady had whispered to -her that she would come again; so she sank into a quiet, happy sleep, -and her mother found her smiling, when she came to help her to dress. - -Now the little girl and the doctor were great friends; for although the -doctor was strong and well, and laughed a great deal, he knew how to -pity little ones who were different from other children. - -The little girl told him all her fancies and dreams, when he had time to -listen; and the next time that he came, she told him about the Mist Lady -and her journey. - -The doctor was greatly interested, and said, “Do you know, little girl, -I intend to stay here all night, sometime; perhaps I may see the Mist -Lady too.” But the little girl said, “Doctor, it will not be any use for -you to stay, you laugh too much; you can see the Mist Lady only when -your eyes are full of tears.” - -And the doctor said, “I really must cure this bad habit of laughing.” - -The little girl said, “I do not want you changed the least tiny bit.” - -So they were better friends than ever. - -Not many nights after, the doctor stood by his little friend. She was -asleep, with a happy smile on her face; for the time for pain was all -past, and she knew now why it had been allowed. The doctor was not -laughing; he saw his little friend’s face through tears; and, glancing -from her face to the foot of the little white bed, he saw the Mist Lady -kneeling, with her face hidden in her hands. - -And the little “Princess of tears” has a new name now. - - - - - Transcriber’s Notes - - ---Copyright notice provided as in the original—this e-text is public - domain in the country of publication. - ---Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and - dialect unchanged. - ---In the text versions, delimited italicized text within _underscores_. - - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Stories of Enchantment, by Jane Pentzer Myers - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORIES OF ENCHANTMENT *** - -***** This file should be named 50931-0.txt or 50931-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/9/3/50931/ - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan, Rod Crawford -and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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} - .toc dt a, .toc dd a { text-align:left; clear:right; float:left; } - .toc dt.sc { text-align:right; clear:both; } - .toc dt.scl { text-align:left; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; } - .toc dt.sct { text-align:right; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; margin-left:1em; } - .toc dt.jl { text-align:left; clear:both; font-variant:normal; } - .toc dt.scc { text-align:center; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; } - .toc dt span.lj { text-align:left; display:block; float:left; } - .toc dt.jr { font-style:normal; } - .toc dt a span.cn, .toc dt span.cn { width:2.5em; text-align:right; margin-right:.7em; float:left; } - dt .large {font-weight:bold; } - div.bcat dl dd { margin-left:4em; max-width:21em; } - div.bcat dl dt { text-indent:-2em; margin-left:2em; } - -.clear { clear:both; } -.htab { margin-left:8em; } - /* MAXWIDTH FOR JUVENILE BOOKS */ - p, blockquote, li, dd, dt, div.bcat, pre { text-align:justify; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } - p, li, dd, dt, div.bcat, pre, dl { max-width:25em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } - blockquote { max-width:23em; } - - - div.verse { max-width:25em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } - div.bq { margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; max-width:23em; } - hr { max-width:20em; } -/* book advertisements */ - p.bkad {font-size:125%; font-weight:bold; margin-top:2em; max-width:20em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } - p.bkpr {font-size:90%; } - p.bkrv { } - dl.blist dt { margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; } -</style> -</head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Stories of Enchantment, by Jane Pentzer Myers - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Stories of Enchantment - or, The Ghost Flower - -Author: Jane Pentzer Myers - -Illustrator: Harriet Roosevelt Richards - -Release Date: January 15, 2016 [EBook #50931] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORIES OF ENCHANTMENT *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan, Rod Crawford -and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - -<div class="img"> -<img id="coverpage" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Stories of Enchantment" width="500" height="717" /> -</div> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p001.png" alt="THE LAND OF FANCY" width="500" height="726" /> -<p class="caption">THE LAND OF FANCY</p> -</div> -<div class="box"> -<h1>STORIES -<br /><span class="smallest">OF</span> -<br />ENCHANTMENT</h1> -<p class="tbcenter">BY -<br />JANE PENTZER MYERS</p> -<p class="center"><span class="smallest">ILLUSTRATED BY</span> -<br /><span class="small">HARRIET ROOSEVELT RICHARDS</span></p> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p002.png" alt="" width="200" height="236" /> -</div> -<p class="center">CHICAGO -<br /><span class="small">A. C. McCLURG & CO. -<br />1901</span></p> -</div> -<p class="center"><span class="sc">Copyright</span> -<br /><span class="sc">By A. C. McClurg & Co.</span> -<br />A.D. 1901</p> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p003.png" alt="" width="500" height="634" /> -</div> -<h3>TO KATE WINIFRED.</h3> -<p>Just between the “Land o’ Dreams” and broad daylight is a beautiful -world: where good wishes come true: where the poor and the lonely are -rich in castles and friends: and where sorrowful folk are happy.</p> -<p>There you may hear the birds singing and children laughing, all day -long. The trees are full of blossoms and fruit. The sky is always blue, -the grass green and soft.</p> -<p>Under the trees dwell the fairies, and against the blue sky is sometimes -seen the sheen of angels’ wings.</p> -<p>On the borders of this land the real and the unreal are so strangely -blended that children are puzzled to know where the boundary lies.</p> -<p>Just across its borders blooms the little white ghost-flower.</p> -<p>It is for you, little girl.</p> -<p><span class="jr">J. P. M.</span></p> -<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> -<dl class="toc"> -<dt class="jr"><span class="sc">Page</span></dt> -<dt><span class="cn">I. </span><a href="#c1"><span class="sc">The Ghost Flower, or the White Blackbird</span></a> 11</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">II. </span><a href="#c2"><span class="sc">The Little Yellow Moccasins</span></a> 31</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">III. </span><a href="#c3"><span class="sc">The Little Ghost who Laughed</span></a> 45</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">IV. </span><a href="#c4"><span class="sc">Titania’s Maid of Honor</span></a> 71</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">V. </span><a href="#c5"><span class="sc">Bran, the Wolf Dog</span></a> 89</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">VI. </span><a href="#c6"><span class="sc">The Corn Fairy</span></a> 111</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">VII. </span><a href="#c7"><span class="sc">At the Wayside Cross</span></a> 125</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">VIII. </span><a href="#c8"><span class="sc">In Quest of the Dark</span></a> 133</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">IX. </span><a href="#c9"><span class="sc">The King will hunt To-day</span></a> 149</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">X. </span><a href="#c10"><span class="sc">He was a Prince</span></a> 161</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XI. </span><a href="#c11"><span class="sc">Where the River hides its Pearls</span></a> 187</dt> -<dt><span class="cn">XII. </span><a href="#c12"><span class="sc">The Mist Lady</span></a> 205</dt> -</dl> -<h2>ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2> -<dl class="toc"> -<dt class="jr"><span class="sc">Page</span></dt> -<dt><a href="#pic1">The pipe changed into a strange flower</a> 21</dt> -<dt><a href="#pic2">Little Bravo</a> 35</dt> -<dt><a href="#pic3">“Oh, you pretty dear”</a> 55</dt> -<dt><a href="#pic4">Mateel sank down on her knees and gazed around</a> 75</dt> -<dt><a href="#pic5">In a great carven chair sat a lady</a> 95</dt> -<dt><a href="#pic6">The little girl playfully clasped her knees</a> 115</dt> -<dt><a href="#pic7">Glimpses of the Wonderful City shall be given to her</a> 129</dt> -<dt><a href="#pic8">Soon he was in her arms</a> 137</dt> -<dt><a href="#pic9">“I think I am going to like you”</a> 141</dt> -<dt><a href="#pic10">“He gave me this keepsake for my mamma”</a> 144</dt> -<dt><a href="#pic11">In their palace by the water wait the king and queen</a> 167</dt> -<dt><a href="#pic12">She started up in alarm</a> 195</dt> -<dt><a href="#pic13">“Open your eyes wide and look at me”</a> 207</dt> -</dl> -<div class="pb" id="Page_9">9</div> -<h2 id="c1">I. -<br /><span class="small">THE GHOST FLOWER, OR THE WHITE BLACKBIRD.</span></h2> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p010.png" alt="" width="400" height="176" /> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_11">11</div> -<p>There is a region of our own -land, far to the westward, where -great mountains lift their serene -heads into the eternal calm of -the upper air. Sunrise and sunset paint -them with unearthly beauties; and night, -with its myriads of flashing stars or its -splendid moon, shines down on their -white foreheads, and bids them dream on -through the coming ages, as they have -done in the past.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_12">12</div> -<p>Among their barren valleys one sometimes -lights upon a small oasis. A little -mountain stream, fed by the melting snows -of the peaks, leaps and sings and flashes -to its grave in the desert sand. Its banks -are fringed with cottonwood trees, and -the short grass and underbrush flourish -in their shade.</p> -<p>Usually, some energetic American or -Chinaman is ranching it there, and claiming -all the valley; but far away from the -towns and the mines one may sometimes -come upon a band of Indians, living their -own lives separate and alone in their secluded -valley.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_13">13</div> -<p>A generation ago, a fierce war raged -between the whites and the Indians; and -during its progress a train of emigrants, -passing near an Indian village, was attacked -by the warriors of the tribe. All -the whites were killed, except one little -child, who crept away into the sagebrush, -and, worn out with fear and fatigue, -dropped asleep. There the wife of the -chief medicine man of the tribe found -her; and when the little one opened her -eyes, and, putting up a piteous lip, began -to sob, the woman gathered her into her -arms with tender “No, no’s” and soft guttural -cooings, that soothed and quieted -the child. For the Great Spirit had lately -called her own baby “far over the terrible -mountains” to the spirit land. And this -little one crept into the bereaved heart of -the Indian mother.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_14">14</div> -<p>She took the child to her husband, and -received permission to keep her. And so -the little girl, with her lint-white hair and -blue eyes, grew up among the other -children of the valley. Soon after the -massacre of the wagon train, the tribe -withdrew from the vengeance of the white -soldiers to a fertile, wooded valley, hidden -in the heart of the mountains. Here -little “Snow-flower,” as she was named, -lived happy with her foster parents. Her -Indian mother was very proud of her -childish beauty, and took excellent care -of her. She bathed her often, in the clear -water of the little river that ran through -the valley; for, contrary to the popular -belief, the Indians of the mountain are -cleanly in their habits, and bathe their -persons and wash their garments frequently, -if water is plentiful. She braided -her fair hair, and made for her pretty little -dresses of pink or red calico, bought at -the trader’s store at the agency, many -weary miles away.</p> -<p>In the winter, she wore over her dress -a warm fur coat reaching to the ankles, -with a hood at the back to draw over her -head. This was made of the skins of jack -rabbits. Warm leggings and moccasins -helped to keep her warm, and she was -usually very comfortable.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_15">15</div> -<p>Sometimes the supply of pine nuts would -give out, the fish refuse to bite, or the -jack rabbits become scarce and shy. Then -the only alternative was to go to the hated -agency.</p> -<p>At such times little Snow-flower was -hidden in some secure place and warned -to remain quiet; for her Indian mother -was haunted by the fear of separation -from the child. She knew that inquiries -had been set afloat at the agency for a -little one, said to have been saved from -the massacre, and her heart told her -that the child’s kindred would claim her, -sooner or later. So, for many years -little Snow-flower never saw a white -person.</p> -<p>When she asked her Indian father or -mother why she was so different from the -other children, they told her The Great -Spirit had made her so, and she was -content.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_16">16</div> -<p>“Perhaps it’s because I am the great -Medicine Chief’s daughter,” she said to -her father; and he gravely nodded.</p> -<p>She was very fond of both of her foster -parents; but her love for the medicine -man was mingled with awe. When she -saw him dressed for some religious dance -or yearly festival, in his strange medicine -dress, with his face painted in grotesque -and horrible pattern, she fled to her -mother and hid her face in her lap. -She loved her mother devotedly, and her -love was returned. The woman was like -all Indian mothers, very gentle and kind -to her little daughter. The little girl was -never punished, and was always spoken -to in the soft, low voice peculiar to -Indian women. “Little daughter,” “Little -Starlight,” “Little Singing-bird,” were the -fond names bestowed on her.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_17">17</div> -<p>The years passed quietly by, until -Snow-flower was ten years old, when, one -summer day, the medicine man came -into the tepee looking very ill. He threw -himself down on the pallet on the floor -and soon was unconscious. He lingered -so nine days, anxiously watched and cared -for by his wife and Snow-flower. On the -tenth day he opened his eyes and beckoned -his wife to him.</p> -<p>“I must go far over the terrible mountains, -into the heart of the sunset, into -the spirit land. You will come soon; -watch for the token I will send you.”</p> -<p>Then, closing his eyes, he was quickly -gone. And the tepee was very desolate -and lonely to the wife and little Snow-flower.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_18">18</div> -<p>All through the long days and the -bright starlit nights the wife watched -for the token he would send her, until -her knees grew weak, and her head -drooped, and she could not walk. Then -little Snow-flower fed her, and waited on -her, and also watched for the token that -was to be sent. One day she crept into -the hut and knelt by the Indian woman.</p> -<p>“Mother,” she whispered, “I have seen -a strange sight: a flock of blackbirds lit -close to our home. I thought to snare -some for your food; but as I approached -them, I saw that one of them was shaped -like the rest,—but, mother, he was pure -white; and he lit on the ridgepole of our -home.”</p> -<p>Then the pale wife raised herself on her -elbow, her eyes shining with joy.</p> -<p>“It is the spirit-bird, dear little one; it -is the token. Go now, quickly, up the -dark ravine; follow to its source the spring -that runs past our door. I have never -allowed you to go there, for a dark spirit -lives in that dread place; but now, do not -fear; the spirit-bird will protect you. Go -into the deep wood that grows around the -fountain head. You will come to a fallen -log. Watch closely; and come and tell -me what you see.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_19">19</div> -<p>So little Snow-flower, shaken with fear -and grief,—for she knew that her mother -must soon leave her,—followed the little -rill, up the dark ravine, to its source. -The white blackbird flitted ahead, and -wherever he rested, the sunlight broke -through the thick leaves overhead, so -that she walked in light all the way. -Presently she came in sight of the fallen -log, and her heart stood still with fear; -for, sitting on the log, wrapped in his -blanket, and smoking a long-stemmed, -strange-looking pipe, was the medicine -man, her foster father. As she came -toward him, he arose and fixed on her -his bright eyes; and then he spoke in -a soft voice that seemed to come from a -long distance.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_20">20</div> -<p>“Little pale-face daughter, take this -pipe to my wife. It is a token that you -have seen me. Tell her I am lonely -without her; that she must be ready when -the sun is setting to go with me, through -the sunset gates, into the spirit world. -As for you, my daughter, your path lies -there,” pointing toward the east; “follow -it to your own nation and your own kindred;” -and, laying his pipe on the log, -he was gone in an instant.</p> -<p>Little Snow-flower, almost overcome -with fear, ran quickly to the log. She -picked up the pipe, which changed in her -hands into a strange flower; the leaves, -the stem, and the blossoms were all white. -It was the Ghost flower, or Indian pipe.</p> -<p>Hurrying back down the ravine, she ran -with flying feet into the tepee. The Indian -woman snatched the flower from the child’s -hand and kissed it, then listened anxiously -to her story.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_21">21</div> -<p>“Yes, little one, I must go. I had -hoped that you might go with me; but -the Great Spirit does not will it so. And -before I go, you must leave me; I must -see you started on your journey.” And -then she told her of her rescue, and of her -parentage.</p> -<div class="img" id="pic1"> -<img src="images/p011.png" alt="The pipe changed into a strange flower." width="500" height="549" /> -<p class="caption">The pipe changed into a strange flower.</p> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_22">22</div> -<p>“This was tied fast round your neck. -I hid it, and told no one.” She showed -the little girl the case of a gold locket, -with a scrap of closely written paper -within. “Take this to the agency. The -paper talks; but do not fear, it is not -bewitched. The agent will speak for it, -and I believe it will tell you where to -find your kindred. Now hasten, dear -child; the sun will soon reach the cleft in -the mountain, and then I must go. I -will see you again; my husband’s power is -great; he will let me come to you whenever -you find a flower like this—the -Ghost flower.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_23">23</div> -<p>Then, with tears and sobs, they separated. -And when the sun was setting, -a great flock of blackbirds flew straight -into its splendor; and among them were -two white ones: the souls of the medicine -chief and his wife. And poor little Snow-flower -had begun her long journey to the -agency. She left the valley secretly, crept -away without bidding any one in the tribe -farewell, for her Indian mother feared -that they might detain her. The medicine -chief’s home stood apart from the -rest of the village, and was approached -by the villagers with fear. When it was -known that he was dead, the tribe buried -him and mourned for him. But the -mother and the daughter were unmolested -in their grief.</p> -<p>A few days after Snow-flower had left, -a kind-hearted woman ventured near. -Great was her surprise to find the tepee -empty; and it was believed by all that -the medicine man had come for his wife -and daughter, and had conveyed them to -the spirit world.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_24">24</div> -<p>Little Snow-flower followed the path -as far as she had gone in the old days -with her foster mother; but when she -came to the cave where she had been -concealed, she was at a loss to know which -way to go. She wandered on, frightened -and weary. The food she had brought -with her was almost gone. One night -she lay down beside a strange-looking trail. -There were short logs laid across it, and on -these were long slim logs or poles made -of iron. It was in a valley between two -great mountains. She wondered at it -greatly. It was either a trail made by -some wizard or medicine man, or it was -made by that strange tribe to which she -belonged, and of which she had heard for -the first time that day, the “pale-faces.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_25">25</div> -<p>But at least there was companionship -in it, after the horrible loneliness of the -mountains. So she snuggled down near -the trail, and went to sleep. She was -awakened by a terrible rumble and roar -that shook the earth around her. Something -all fire and flashing eyes went -shrieking and hissing past her. She -screamed with fear, and tried to run, but -her feet refused to carry her. The monster -went a little way, and then stopped. -Some men sprang from its back and came -toward her, carrying a light. She saw -that they were fair, like herself, and then -she fainted.</p> -<p>The men came hurrying on. It was a -special train, carrying the superintendent -of the road, and a friend. “Did you say -the massacre was just here?” said the -gentleman.</p> -<p>“Right about here—perhaps a few -feet farther north.”</p> -<p>The gentleman sighed. “And has nothing -been heard of the child?”</p> -<p>“The Indians positively declare that -she is living somewhere in the mountains, -and that she is well cared for, but refuse to -tell anything more.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_26">26</div> -<p>“Well, I must have the child, if she is -to be found on— Why, what is this?” -he exclaimed, as his foot struck against the -soft little body of Snow-flower. She shivered -and moaned.</p> -<p>“What in this world! a little white girl, -dressed like a little Indian!” cried the -superintendent.</p> -<p>“Let me see the child. She looks as -my sister Mary did at that age. What if -this is her child, the little one I am searching -for? Here, let me carry her into the -car; she is mine; I am sure of it,” said -the gentleman.</p> -<p>And so little Snow-flower awoke from -her swoon to a new and wonderful life. -It almost seemed in later years, as she -looked back to that time, that she had -entered another world; for she found love, -riches, education, all awaiting her.</p> -<p>Once or twice since, in lonely walks, -she has found the Ghost flower; and -always then appears the vague, misty -outline of her Indian mother.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_27">27</div> -<p>A few days ago, her little son (for she -is a woman and a mother now) came into -the house crying, “Mother, I saw a white -blackbird. It was with a great flock of -black ones; it was just like them, only it -was white.”</p> -<p>She hurried out of the house hoping to -find the spirit-bird; but it had visited her, -found her happy, and hastened back to the -spirit land.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_29">29</div> -<h2 id="c2">II. -<br /><span class="small">THE LITTLE YELLOW MOCCASINS.</span></h2> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p012.png" alt="" width="400" height="242" /> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_31">31</div> -<p>A clear river goes winding -down, past green and shaded -banks, through the beautiful -state of Iowa. It is named the -Cedar, although the Oak, or the Maple, -or a dozen other names would be more -appropriate, for the Cedar is seldom -found among the abundant trees that -grow beside it.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_32">32</div> -<p>Years ago, the Indians dwelt on its -banks. They led an idyllic life: the men -fished in the blue waters, or hunted and -trapped in the woods; the women planted -the small clearings with corn. These -corn-fields may still be seen, covered with -little hillocks resembling in size and shape -those seen in a prairie-dog village; the -corn was planted in these mounds, instead -of in rows, as with us.</p> -<p>Here the women worked and gossiped,—the -babies in their cradles, strapped to -their mothers’ backs, or propped up against -the trunks of trees, and staring with round -black eyes at the new and strange scenes -around them.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_33">33</div> -<p>Among the women was one pretty -young mother, who watched, as she worked, -her little son in his cradle. She talked -or sang to him as she passed him by. -She named him “Little Bravo,” “Little -Hunter.” She told him that she was -growing very old now; that he must step -out of his cradle and take care of her. -Then she would laugh, showing her white -teeth, and the baby would wag his head -from side to side, and laugh in sympathy, -revealing two cunning little teeth also. -All the fond talk that a white mother lavishes -on her baby was told over by this -Indian mother; for mothers are alike in -their love, whatever their color may be.</p> -<p>The years passed merrily along, for -happy hearts make the hardest life a -merry one. The Little Bravo was a -large boy now. Ten summers and winters -had passed since he came to his proud -father and mother. He had learned to row -a canoe on the river, to fish, to set traps, -and with bow and arrow to bring down -the wild duck and the prairie chicken. -Soon he would be a man, a—young -brave indeed,—and go with his father to -hunt the bison, or on the warpath.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_34">34</div> -<p>How many daydreams his mother enjoyed -over his future! She saw him in -fancy a great chief, leading the tribe in -war and in peace; she saw him returning -from war with many scalps of the enemy; -saw him in the home with wife and children, -while his father and herself, grown -old and gray, sat in the warmest corner of -the tepee and told his children stories of -their father’s brave deeds.</p> -<p>As she dreamed her daydreams, she -busily worked on the fine clothing with -which she adorned him and his father; for -it was her delight that they outshone the -rest of the men of the tribe in the splendor -of their raiment,—hunting shirts and leggings -of the finest tanned skins, adorned -with fringes and gorgeous with crude embroidery, -and moccasins of the yellow -buckskin, trimmed with beads and porcupine -quills.</p> -<p>The boy was a noble little fellow; -brave, warm-hearted, and merry. But the -Great Spirit saw that the doating love of -father and mother was ruining the gift He -had placed in their hands.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_35">35</div> -<div class="img" id="pic2"> -<img src="images/p013.png" alt="Little Bravo." width="500" height="738" /> -<p class="caption">Little Bravo.</p> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_37">37</div> -<p>One summer night the heat hung heavy -over the land. It seemed an effort to -breathe. Black clouds hung sullen in -the sky, and in the west the lightning was -flashing and the thunder was rumbling. -“There will be much wind and rain -to-night. Where is our son?” said the -father.</p> -<p>“Down on the river’s bank asleep,” answered -his mother. “I sat long beside -him, and brushed away the stinging insects -that annoyed him. He has taken off -his moccasins, the heat is so great, and -his little feet are bare. He is very beautiful -as he sleeps. I will lift him without -waking him, and bear him into the storm -cave.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_38">38</div> -<p>She hastened quickly down to the river, -for the storm was rapidly approaching. -Just as her hands reached down to clasp -her boy, there came a vivid flash of lightning, -and two strong hands (the hands of -the spirit who lives in the water) reached -up, and grasping the boy firmly, drew him -down under the water.</p> -<p>Where, but a moment before, the rosy, -dreaming boy was lying, was only the -print of his body in the grass, and the two -little yellow moccasins, shining like gold.</p> -<p>The mother gave a scream; the father -came bounding to the spot; together they -sprang into the water, and dived again and -again, striving to find their son. The -storm broke over the river in great fury, -tearing off great limbs of trees, and dashing -their tepee to the ground; but neither -knew that it stormed. Finally, half dead, -and heart-broken, they sought the bank. -The mother sat down and gathered the little -moccasins to her heart. “My son, my -son! O spirit of the river, give him back -to us!” she moaned.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_39">39</div> -<p>The father arose and straightened himself, -and, looking into the dark sky, he -said: “It is the will of the Great Spirit. -He gave him to us. He has taken him -away again.” Turning, he walked away -into the forest.</p> -<p>But the mother sat there beside the -river many days, moaning, “My son, my -son.” No food passed her lips, no sleep -came to her eyes; and always she kissed -and clasped to her heart the little moccasins.</p> -<p>One night, when the stars were flashing -in splendor, she raised her eyes to the sky, -and beheld that pathway made of star-dust, -that leads to the spirit land. And while -she gazed, longing to follow it, she felt the -pressure of a small hand on her shoulder. -She turned, to meet the loving, smiling -gaze of her son.</p> -<p>“O Great Spirit, I thank thee! The -dead is alive again! O my son, I grieved -for thee! Why didst thou stay away so -long?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_40">40</div> -<p>And the boy said, “Come, dear mother; -we are to follow yonder path to-night,” pointing -upward. “I have come for thee, -because thy weeping grieves the happy -ones.”</p> -<p>Then gladly the mother placed her hand -in that small clasp; but first she said: -“Stay, dear child; here are thy moccasins. -Thou wilt need them; the way may be -rough.”</p> -<p>The boy, laughing, held up to her gaze -one of his feet, on which flashed and -glowed a moccasin of shining yellow, like -the color of a star, and he said, “Lay -down the moccasins, dear, and thou shalt -see how a mother’s love shall be remembered.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_41">41</div> -<p>She placed them on the ground, and -at once a plant sprang up beneath them. -It grew rapidly, and on its highest -branches the moccasins were fastened. -They shrank in size, and changed into -flowers, keeping, however, their original -shape and color. And the boy said, -“These flowers shall bloom on forever -beside this shining river; long after the -red man is gone, they shall bloom.”</p> -<p>Then, wondering and happy, the mother -followed her son along the star-strewn -path to the spirit land; and not many -moons later, the father, from the midst of -battle, went to them.</p> -<p>Long ago, the Indians left the banks of -the beautiful river, but the yellow flowers -bloom on beside its clear waters; and the -white children call them the “Orchid,” or -“Lady’s Slipper,” or give them their real -name, the “Indian Moccasins.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_43">43</div> -<h2 id="c3">III. -<br /><span class="small">THE LITTLE GHOST WHO LAUGHED.</span></h2> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p014.png" alt="" width="400" height="227" /> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_45">45</div> -<p>Dolores sat beside Aunt -Polly, in the door of the cabin. -The setting sun shone on her -yellow curls, changing her into -a veritable “Goldilocks,” peeped into her -blue eyes, until she was obliged to shut -them. It shone on Aunt Polly’s black -face, causing it to glisten like black satin, -and on her clean calico dress and white -apron; for this was Sunday evening, and -she was resting from her labors.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_46">46</div> -<p>Across the fields, its light was reflected -from the roof and chimneys of “The -House,” as Aunt Polly called it; for there -she had lived as a slave before the war, -and to her it was the only house of importance -in the neighborhood. Dolores -watched the sun climb from the roof and -chimneys to the gilded points of the -lightning-rods, turning them to flashing -spear points. Then it was gone; and she -breathed a sigh.</p> -<p>Aunt Polly heard it. “What’s the -mattah, honey girl?”</p> -<p>“I’m lonesome, Aunt Polly; won’t you -tell me ’bout the little ghost girl up at the -house?”</p> -<p>“Now, sugah, I have to be away from -home all day to-morrow, and you’ll be here -alone; that story will make you feel skeery.”</p> -<p>“I won’t be afraid. Besides, I’ll go to -school, maybe.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_47">47</div> -<p>“Bless yo heart now, will you? Well, -I’ll tell you then, ’cause yo goin’ to be so -good. Well, honey, when I was a young -girl, I lived up at The House; that was -befo’ the wah. I was one of the house -servants, sort of waitin’ maid, and table -maid, too. Well, one stormy night, I was -in the dinin’-room, settin’ the dinnah table. -The rain and sleet was bangin’ aginst the -windows, and it was growin’ mighty dark. -I thought I’d go out and shut the shuttahs; -I thought I’d run out the front doah, -and close the pahlor shuttahs too. The -lamp wasn’t lit in the hall yet, and as I -went through, it seemed to me I saw -somethin’ white curled up on the lower -stair. I opened the front doah so that -I could see bettah what it was, and then I -turned and went to it, and there, cuddled -all up in a heap, was a strange little girl. -She had a little peaked white face and -great blue eyes, and her hair was about -the coloh of you-all’s. She had on a little -white dress, and had somethin’ in her -hands—looked like a man’s cap, and it -was all torn and bloody; and there was -blood on her dress.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_48">48</div> -<p>“‘My land, honey, whar you come -from?’ I says, and she huddled down -closer than ever, and began to cry just like -her heart was most broke. I stooped -down to pick her up in my ahms”—Aunt -Polly’s voice sank to a whisper—“and—she—wasn’t—there. -I rubbed -my eyes and looked agin, then I run to -the doah and looked out; but they wasn’t -nobody about. Then I got so skeered I -banged the doah shut and run whoopin’ -and screamin’ to the kitchen. Aunt Susan, -the cook, grab me by the ahm. ‘Shut yo -haid, girl, and tell me wha’s de mattah,’ -she said. So I done told her all about it, -and she just dropped all in a heap and she -say: ‘O my Lawd, O my deah Lawd, the -judgment am a comin’ agin! Tell me, -gal, was dat baby laughin’ or cryin’?’ and -I say, ‘Cryin’;’ and she say, ‘Ooh, my poo’ -mistess;’ and I said, ‘Oh, Aunt Susan, -what is it?’ She say: ‘Gal, you done see -a ghost. Dat’s no baptized baby; dat’s a -poo’ child dat was muhdard yeahs and -yeahs ago by some wicked limb of dis -fambly, fo’ to get its money. Whenever -dat child comes here a weepin’ and a -moanin’, dat’s de sign of a death; if it -comes a laughin’, den it brings good luck -to we-alls.’</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_49">49</div> -<p>“Well, I was that skeered to think I’d -done seen a ghost, that I shuck all over, -and couldn’t wait on the table. Well, -honey, I kep’ a waitin’ for a death or -somefin as bad; and ’bout a week later, my -mastah’s oldest boy was out huntin’, and -the gun went off too soon, and blowed the -top of his haid plum off. They brought -his torn and bloody cap home. I’d—seen—it—before.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_50">50</div> -<p>“Aftah that, I was always watchin’ for -that ghost-child, but I nevah seen her no -more. But she came after that, fo’ my old -mastah died; and there was othah troubles. -Finally, aftah the wah, my old mistress -moved to the city with young Mistah -Tom, and left the house in the care of -the overseeah of the plantation. Once a -yeah Mistah Tom comes down and stays a -week or so, lookin’ aftah things. He used -to bring a lot of company with him, but -since ole Miss died, he’s sobered down; -don’t seem to cah fo’ company no more.</p> -<p>“And now, sugah, you come go to -baid, so you can get up early, and go -to school.”</p> -<p>“Aunt Polly, tell me first, do please -tell me, where did you get me?”</p> -<p>Aunt Polly looked at her doubtfully.</p> -<p>“I dunno as you need to know. But -yo ma was a lady, and yo pa a gentleman. -You come of a good stock. Sometime -I’ll tell you, but not now; so you go to -sleep.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_51">51</div> -<p>The next morning Aunt Polly was up -and away early. She left a dainty breakfast -spread out for Dolores, and a little tin -pail packed with a lunch for her school -dinner. Dolores wakened later and lay -debating the question of school. It is -needless to say that Aunt Polly, with her -lax government and her fondness for the -child, was spoiling her completely. Dolores -was a law unto herself, and came -and went as she pleased. She was looked -down upon by the girls at school, because -she lived with Aunt Polly. She did not -tell this to her, for she knew she would -resent it bitterly. So she avoided them -as much as possible, and many hours -when Aunt Polly supposed that she was -at school, she was wandering in the woods -and fields.</p> -<p>She thought of her half promise given -the night before in exchange for the ghost -story, and resolved that she would go.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_52">52</div> -<p>“My mother was a lady, and my father -a gentleman; then why need I care -for those white trash? Aunt Polly is -better than they are. I reckon I’d -better go. And I’ll go past the house, -and peek in at the hall where Aunt Polly -saw the ghost.”</p> -<p>So she hurriedly put away her breakfast -dishes, tidied up her room, locked the -door, hid the key, and started on her way -to school. She crossed the field and came -to the old house by a path through a -grove of old trees. This side of the house -was never used; the shutters were closed; -and the trees grew so close to the house -that their great branches scraped against -the walls, causing a creaking, groaning -noise when the wind blew, that had frightened -the timid colored people away from -the neighborhood.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_53">53</div> -<p>Dolores put down her pail and books. -She sat down a moment to rest in the -shade, for the sun was hot. That resting-spell -was the undoing of her good -resolutions; for, glancing above her, she -discovered a squirrel watching her, who -began to chatter, as soon as he knew that -she had seen him.</p> -<p>“Oh, you pretty dear, come down and -I’ll feed you,” she said; and then she -thought, “I wonder if he has a nest up -there; I’m going to find out.” And soon -she was among the lower branches of the -tree, steadily working her way to the top.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_54">54</div> -<p>The squirrel turned with a jerk and a -squeak, and disappeared through an open -window that the branches had concealed -from below. Dolores, following, found -that one shutter was gone, and that the -wind, during some storm, had forced in -the sash, while a limb had grown in -through the window. She pushed her -way in past the limb, in spite of the -squirrel’s remonstrance, and found herself -in a large attic, which extended over the -entire unused wing of the house. The -squirrel scampered up the side of the -window-casing, and sat scolding her from -above.</p> -<p>The attic was filled with a rich treasure-trove -for Dolores. There were old spinning-wheels, -broken chairs, an empty -cradle, a great old four-posted bed, and a -number of trunks and boxes to rummage -in. That was as far as she could see in -the gloom, but no doubt beyond her -range of vision were more delights. What -a lovely place in which to play! The cradle -for her dolls, an old clock to take to -pieces, and dozens of old garments to -dress up in. Several wonderfully queer -old bonnets hung against the wall. She -put on one (after shaking off the layer of -dust with which it was coated), and glanced -in a broken mirror to see the effect. Her -merry laugh echoed through the attic as -she beheld her face framed by the bonnet. -And then she heard a sharp exclamation -from the room beneath her, the -scurrying of feet, and the slamming of a -door.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_55">55</div> -<div class="img" id="pic3"> -<img src="images/p015.png" alt="“Oh you pretty dear.”" width="500" height="720" /> -<p class="caption">“Oh you pretty dear.”</p> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_57">57</div> -<p>Crouching down behind the cradle, she -waited developments; but no one came; -so in a little while she grew bold again.</p> -<p>“I think I won’t go to school after -all. I reckon it’s too late, anyway; I’ll -stay here to-day. But first, I must go -back and get my dinner-pail and books. -I can study up here just as well as at -school.”</p> -<p>And soon Dolores, watched by the protesting -squirrel, had slid down the tree, -secured her books and dinner-pail in her -apron, and was back again. And then -began her delightful, if naughty, day. She -wound up the clock, polished up the -broken mirror, pulled the lighter articles -of furniture here and there, tried the spinning-wheel, -and finally settled down to the -delightful task of exploring the boxes and -chests.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_58">58</div> -<p>In the meantime, down below, in the -kitchen of the old house, an excited group -of colored people were talking. Aunt -Polly was the centre of the group, and -was relating, for the benefit of a new -comer, her experience.</p> -<p>“I tell you, I done heerd that ghost-child -agin. No, I didn’t see it, but I -heerd it. I went ovah to the noth wing -to put away that ar seed, as Mistah Jones -told me to do, and while I was in that -dark, lonesome bedroom above the pahlor, -I heerd a child laugh, just as cleah and -sweet as a bird; it sounded just right beside -me. Oh, I was so skeered, I run and -banged the doah after me. You don’t -ketch this child goin’ in that pawt of the -house no moah.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_59">59</div> -<p>“Aunt Polly,” asked one breathless listener, -“wasn’t that the room whar the -murdah was committed?”</p> -<p>“Yas, em; yes indeedy; the poor child -was strangled in its sleep.”</p> -<p>Just then the voice of Mr. Jones was -heard. “Here, hurry up in there; got too -much to do to stand here gabbling. You -know Mister Tom comes to-night; he -wants this place to be shining.” Each one -hurried off to her work. Aunt Polly, with -a toss of her head and a sniff, proceeded -leisurely to hang out the white curtains -and bed-linen she was doing up against -the arrival of her beloved Mistah Tom.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_60">60</div> -<p>Dolores ate her dinner when she became -hungry, gave some of it to the squirrel, -and played on until the shadows in -the attic indicated that evening was coming. -Then she scrambled down and ran -for home. She had time to brush the -dust from her clothes, wash her face and -hands, and lie down on the bed and fall -asleep before Aunt Polly returned. By -the time supper was ready and Dolores -awakened, Aunt Polly had forgotten to -ask about the school, in her eagerness to -tell the important news that Mistah Tom -was coming, and that she had heard the -little ghost-girl’s laugh. And in a little -while Dolores again had forgotten everything -in the dreamless sleep which comes -to tired children whether they are good or -bad.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_61">61</div> -<p>She awoke in the morning to find Aunt -Polly already gone. Not long after, the -little truant followed and, climbing her -sylvan stairway, was soon in the delightful -attic. She had explored all but one chest, -that was pushed under the eaves. The -other chests had yielded up a rich treasure, -but she was curious to know what they all -contained before she enjoyed the contents. -So the little box was pushed close to the -window, for it was growing dark in the -attic. Dolores could hear the rumble of -thunder, and the rain was beginning to -patter on the shingles; she was not the -least afraid of a storm, and proceeded -leisurely with her task. The little chest -was locked, but the key hung obligingly -tied to one of the handles by a string. -She unlocked it, and raised the lid. Who -can say what loving, breaking heart looked -last into that little box? For, carefully -folded away, with dead roses in each -dainty garment, was a little girl’s wardrobe, -complete,—the finest linen undergarments, -trimmed with delicate laces, little -white silk clocked stockings, little heelless -slippers of blue and red kid, all faded and -spotted with age and mould; the loveliest -little lace-trimmed dresses with short -waists, puffed sleeves, and long skirts. -Dolores hesitated a moment before examining -them. On top of them was placed -a note in a woman’s hand. She laid it -aside and did not read it, until she had -finished the examination. She opened it -at last, and read, “This is the wardrobe of -my dear little dead daughter Dolores.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_62">62</div> -<p>She closed the lid down gently, sprang -up, and went to the window. “I must go -home; I don’t like this old attic. I’ve -been a wicked girl to come here. But -how did that little dead girl come to have -my name?”</p> -<p>She started to climb through the window, -and saw that it was raining very -hard; a steady downpour that promised -to last all day. She returned to the chest, -laid the note carefully aside, and again -lifted out and unfolded each garment. -How beautiful they were! Time had -given them the delicate, mellow tint of -old ivory. Dolores dearly enjoyed pretty -clothes, and had possessed but few in her -short life. She was charmed by their -dainty quaintness.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_63">63</div> -<p>“They look like they’d just fit me—I’m -going to try on a suit—the lady -would not care—I’ll be very careful of -them.”</p> -<p>So on went the pretty underclothing, -the white silk stockings, and little heelless -slippers. Then over her head she slipped -a little white dress, hemstitched and hand -embroidered. Her hair, which Aunt Polly -kept tightly braided, was loosened in soft -waves around her face and neck. The -broken mirror revealed a little maid of the -beginning of the nineteenth century; such -a charming little maid, that Dolores was -delighted with the vision.</p> -<p>“My, but she’s sweet; Little Dolores, -do you like coming back to life?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_64">64</div> -<p>And then her busy brain recalled the -story of the little ghost-girl. “I have a -great mind to go downstairs. If any one -sees me, I can run back.” She looked -questioningly at the little figure in the -glass. “Dolores, shall I go? You tell -me, for I am you to-day.” The little -shadow nodded. “Very well, then, I -will.”</p> -<p>She went to a door she had noticed, -tried it, found it unlocked, and ventured -out.</p> -<p>A flight of stairs led down into a narrow -corridor, flanked on each side by closed -doors, and this led into the main hall. -She stole shyly out into this, and proceeded -toward the great stairway; but to reach it, -she had to pass an open door. Some one -was moving leisurely about in the room. -She peeped in, and saw a young colored -man unpacking his master’s clothes. He -had carefully arranged the toilet articles -on the dressing-case, and was trying one -of the silver-backed brushes on his curly -locks, with an unlit cigar between his teeth, -evidently extracted from a full box on the -dressing-case.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_65">65</div> -<p>Dolores swung the door slowly open, -and the man, seeing its reflection in the -mirror, turned and confronted her, in her -quaint dress, standing in the soft gloom of -the hall. She was pointing a threatening -finger at the stolen cigar, frowning and -biting her lips to keep from laughing, as -she saw the horrified look on his face. -Evidently, he had heard of the little ghost; -the cigar fell from his lips, and his knees -knocked together: he was too frightened -to speak.</p> -<p>When Dolores could control her face -no longer she turned, and ran back to the -attic. The colored man fled to the kitchen, -declaring that he had seen the ghost; and -that if Mass Tom didn’t go back to the -city, he would, for he wasn’t goin’ to stay -in no old house full of ghosts.</p> -<p>Aunt Polly met her Mr. Tom, on his -return from hunting, at the door, and told -him the marvellous tale.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_66">66</div> -<p>“Wait till I change my clothes, Aunt -Polly, and then come to the little library, -if there’s a fire there, for I am chilly; -I’ll hear all about it then;” and he hurried -upstairs.</p> -<p>In the meantime, naughty Dolores had -tired of the attic, and, having enjoyed her -first adventure, had sallied forth to meet -others. Not encountering any one, she -ventured down the wide stairs, peeped -into numerous rooms, and opening a door -into a very cosy one, small and snug, with -a fire burning on the hearth, she drew a -big cushioned chair in front of it, sat down -to watch it, and fell asleep. About an -hour later, Aunt Polly was met in the hall -by Mister Tom, who looked very much -surprised.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_67">67</div> -<p>“Come into the library, quick, Auntie; -I’ve found the little ghost,” he whispered. -Aunt Polly followed, her knees trembling -beneath her. Seeing the little figure in -the chair, she started for the door, but -thought better of it, and ventured nearer. -Getting a good look at the ghost, she saw -it was Dolores, and sank limply down by -her on her knees.</p> -<p>“Well, well, well, I declare for it, it’s -the hand of the Lord,” she whispered.</p> -<p>“Who is she, Aunt Polly, and where’d -she come from?”</p> -<p>“She belongs to this fambly, Mistah -Tom, and I’ll tell you by and by whar -she come from; but whar she got them -clothes, or how she got in here, is more -than I can tell you.”</p> -<p>Just then Dolores stirred in her sleep, -opened her eyes, and seeing them watching -her, jumped to her feet.</p> -<p>“Is this Mr. Tom? I am the little -ghost-girl, and I bring you good fortune;” -and she looked up into his face and -laughed.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_68">68</div> -<p>Aunt Polly grunted, “You need a good -lambastin’ fo’ skeerin’ me so,” she said -wrathfully.</p> -<p>Not long after, Dolores and Aunt Polly -went to live with Mr. Tom. A wrong -was righted, and the little ghost-girl -walked no more.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_69">69</div> -<h2 id="c4">IV. -<br /><span class="small">TITANIA’S MAID OF HONOR.</span></h2> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p016.png" alt="" width="400" height="210" /> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_71">71</div> -<p>“Mammy, I wish dis yer rabbit -could talk to me; ’pears -like he wanted to tell me -somefin’.”</p> -<p>“Well, Mateel, yo take him in yo arms -and lay down on yo baid, and I’s a goin’ -to conjur’ dat rabbit so he kin talk to -yo-alls.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_72">72</div> -<p>The little girl took her pet in her arms -and lay down, holding the soft furry ball -close to her ear. The old mammy, whose -duty it was to take care of the little -darkies on the plantation while their -mothers were at work in the field or the -house, sat down by the child, and slowly, -soothingly, passed her hand over the little -dark head; presently the large eyes closed, -and half awake, half asleep, Mateel heard -her say,—</p> -<p>“Now, Mistah Rabbit, tell Mateel yo -news.”</p> -<p>And to her intense surprise, the rabbit, -slipping from her arms, sat back on his -haunches, and, regarding her intently, -commenced:—</p> -<p>“Mateel, have you ever heard of the -fairies? And do you know where they -live?”</p> -<p>“No, Mistah Rabbit. What is they for, -and what do they look like?”</p> -<p>“Oh, I haven’t time to tell you; I’m -due in Fairyland now. Do you want to -go with me? Because if you do, you -must come at once.”</p> -<p>And the rabbit began to hop impatiently -toward the door.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_73">73</div> -<p>Mateel joyfully slipped from her bed -and followed him out of the house. The -rabbit hopped ahead until they reached -the thick shade of the woods that grew -close to the little cabin. Here he paused, -and, turning to Mateel, said briefly,—</p> -<p>“Give me your hand.”</p> -<p>Mateel stooped down and seized his -paw, when, to her surprise, she felt herself -grow smaller, or the world larger; -the trees seemed as tall as the clouds; the -grass and leaves that grew among them -reached far above her head.</p> -<p>The rabbit now remarked,—</p> -<p>“We must go through a bit of rough -country just here, so perhaps you had -better hold tight to one of my ears.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_74">74</div> -<p>Mateel, in some alarm, grasped the -friendly ear, and felt herself lifted along in -tremendous jumps and leaps, over great -gnarled roots, over rocks and briers, until -her strength and patience were all but -exhausted. Finally, they dived down what -seemed the bed of a dead streamlet, came -to a deep pool of water, which the rabbit -took at one flying leap with Mateel clasped -in his forepaws, and they found themselves -in a wondrous world.</p> -<p>It was Fairyland. Where is it? and -how shall we find it? Ah, that is the -mystery; but of this you may be sure,—wherever -children are, close to their homes -lies Fairyland; and if only the small wild -things of the wood could talk to you, -perhaps you might visit it, as Mateel -did.</p> -<p>She found herself in a court or pleasance, -beautifully carpeted with the rarest -moss. The richest, softest shades of brown, -of fawn color, of old rose, and of tenderest -green, mingled and blended in its coloring. -Mateel sank down on her knees -and gazed around. A soft green tint was -over everything. It came through the -leaves that closely roofed it over. These -were supported by straight trunks, that -arose to a great height, where they separated -into two stems; and each stem bore -a leaf that overlapped its neighbor; at -the point where the stems separated, an -immense creamy white blossom with a -golden centre hung down like a bell.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_75">75</div> -<div class="img" id="pic4"> -<img src="images/p017.png" alt="Mateel sank down on her knees and gazed around." width="500" height="709" /> -<p class="caption">Mateel sank down on her knees and gazed around.</p> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_77">77</div> -<p>“Why, they are May apple blossoms,” -cried Mateel, clapping her hands in ecstasy, -“Oh, how lovely! how lovely! May -apple plants as large as trees.”</p> -<p>Not a ray of sunlight filtered through -the large leaves; a delicious sense of peace -pervaded the perfumed twilight, and Mateel, -who was always tired lately, felt that -she could rest here, and gave a happy -sigh.</p> -<p>And while she rested and waited for -something lovely to happen, she heard the -rain falling on the leaves of trees somewhere -at a great distance above her.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_78">78</div> -<p>“It’s raining, Mateel, but you needn’t -worry; the rain never reaches here,” said -the rabbit.</p> -<p>“I am not worrying,” said Mateel, contentedly.</p> -<p>“The rain is almost over, the sun is -setting clear. It will be starlight soon, -and then will come the fairies. But now -I must leave you; try to sleep and rest, -and when the fairy queen comes, I shall -be in her train, and will present you.”</p> -<p>So Mateel contentedly sank back into -the soft moss, and let her tired little body -rest, while the rain played her a soothing -lullaby. The soft light grew more dim, -and a sweet sleep came to her eyes.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_79">79</div> -<p>When she awoke it was growing very -dark in the fairies’ court. Mateel sat -straight up and looked about her. From -far distant depths of the wood tiny men -were coming, bearing little lamps, which -Mateel saw were fireflies and glowworms; -these they placed in the cups of the great -flowers, and swung in festoons between -the trunks of the fairy trees. The little -men disappeared, and she was again alone; -but now the court was flooded with light -soft and radiant, just the kind of light in -which fairies look their best.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_80">80</div> -<p>And while she sat enfolded in this soft -light, from a distance came the sweetest -music that mortal ear ever listened to. -Indeed, but few mortals have heard its exquisite -cadence. There was one man, -who lived long ago, when people knew -that there were fairies and shuddered at -real ghosts and witches, who not only -heard the fairy music, but heard and remembered -their songs, and has written -them down in a beautiful poem, and named -it “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” So -Mateel sat and listened, while the music -grew clearer and louder; and presently a -wonderful procession came into view. First -came the musicians; and will you believe -it?—they were crickets and cicadas. But -they were playing in Fairyland, for the -king and queen of the fairies; and the -music they give to fairies is different from -that which they give to mortals. Close -after the musicians marched a regiment of -fairy guards to their majesties; and then -came grandly dressed noblemen, stepping -backward and bowing at each step; and -then, under a canopy of richest velvet made -from pansy blossoms, came Oberon and -Titania! The queen was all in white; her -dress of lily petals was trimmed with dewdrops; -back of her shoulders two gauzy -white wings shimmered and glowed with -each graceful motion; on her dainty head -sparkled a crown of gleaming points of -light; her arms were bare, and in her -hand she carried a shining wand.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_81">81</div> -<p>King Oberon was in blue armor that -shone like sapphires with every motion; -it was made from the shells of blue beetles. -After them came a multitude of fairies; -pretty ladies of the court in brilliant flower-dresses, -with dainty wings at their shoulders. -They reminded Mateel of a great -flock of butterflies. The fairy men were, -like the king, in armor.</p> -<p>Mateel eagerly looked for the rabbit, -and saw him walking with a group of -wise-looking fairies, who were undoubtedly -learned judges and philosophers.</p> -<p>The bright procession marched once -around the court, and then the queen and -king seated themselves on a green bank -spread with violets; a shining little herald -announced that the fairy revels would -begin.</p> -<p>But waving his hand, the king said -gravely, “We will first hear the arguments, -and perhaps the witnesses, in the -case of the accused maid, once lady-in-waiting -to our gracious queen.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_82">82</div> -<p>Here the queen put a lovely cobweb -handkerchief to her eyes, and said:—</p> -<p>“They may bring all the evidence they -want to, but I know that she is innocent; -I am sure that Katie didn’t;” and she -stamped her little foot.</p> -<p>Then the king said soothingly, “Well, -well, dear, don’t be too positive; perhaps -Katie did.”</p> -<p>The queen would have answered, but just -then the rabbit rose and bowed, and the -king, who seemed slightly nervous, cried,—</p> -<p>“Our wise and learned friend the rabbit -may speak.”</p> -<p>And the rabbit, bowing again, made an -eloquent speech, in which he said that -although the evidence was very strong for -and against the defendant, yet he would -beg a postponement of a decision until -the learned counsel had found the answer -to an unimportant question, which was, -What did Katie do?</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_83">83</div> -<p>The king answered that perhaps it -might be as well; for although convinced -in his own mind that Katie did, he was -anxious to allow her every chance to re-establish -her good character.</p> -<p>The queen declared that there was no -use in having the trial at all, as, whatever -it was she was accused of, Katie didn’t, -didn’t, didn’t; and Titania was beginning -to look vexed, when the rabbit, bowing -again, asked if the queen had chosen any -one to fill Katie’s place during her (he -hoped) temporary absence.</p> -<p>The queen had not, for she said,—</p> -<p>“Katie is a changeling, and where may -I find another mortal?”</p> -<p>The rabbit, bowing low with his paw on -his heart, asked permission to tell Titania -a story, and the queen sighed, and answered,—</p> -<p>“Yes, if it’s not very long.”</p> -<p>So the rabbit began:—</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_84">84</div> -<p>“There was once a boy, a mortal, who -was out hunting. He had gone deep -into the woods; night was coming fast; -like all boys, he had a fear of the dark and -lonely woods. He was walking very fast, -and whistling (as mortals do to keep up -their courage), when he heard a child crying; -he listened, and then, thinking of wild -animals, hurried on faster than ever. But -the crying grew louder, and presently, -right in his path under a huge linden tree, -he found a little child, just able to walk -alone, and to talk a little. It was unlike -any child he had ever seen: brown hair, -brown eyes, and brown skin. It was -dressed in some strange silky material, -and round its neck was a necklace of the -claws of some wild animal.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_85">85</div> -<p>“The boy picked the little one up and -carried it home. It was handed over to -the old colored woman who has charge of -the little colored children on the plantation. -The boy claimed the child as his -slave, and named her Matilde, which usage -has changed to Mateel.</p> -<p>“She has lived, but not thrived, on the -coarse fare and rough usage accorded the -other little ones. She was petted and -noticed by the young master for a day -or two, then forgotten for many more. -As the years pass she will have great -beauty. She has never had a friend but -her young master.</p> -<p>“Your Majesty is generous and kind; -would not the little maid take Katie’s -place?”</p> -<p>Then the queen, springing to her feet, -exclaimed:—</p> -<p>“No, she cannot take Katie’s place; no -one can do that; but she shall have her -own place in my train, close at my right hand. -Where is the child; have you brought her -to Fairyland?” And the rabbit said, “I -have brought her, gracious queen.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_86">86</div> -<p>So Mateel was brought into the presence -of the king and queen and their -court, and the queen, touching her with -her shining wand, changed her into a -bonny brown fairy, with shining brown -eyes, and a beautiful dress made of petals -of the red rose; for she was among the -maids of honor most dearly loved by -Titania. But the question of Katie’s -guilt or innocence is still unsettled; for -on summer nights you will hear the fairy -lawyers still declaring that “Katie did” -and “Katie didn’t.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_87">87</div> -<h2 id="c5">V. -<br /><span class="small">BRAN, THE WOLF DOG.</span></h2> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p018.png" alt="" width="400" height="226" /> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_89">89</div> -<p>On a high cliff overlooking the -ocean, on the western coast of -Ireland, stand the ruins of an -old castle. The short grass -grows on the floor of the great hall, and -the wind sighs and howls through its -broken walls, with a sound half human, -half animal.</p> -<p>The peasants for generations have named -it “The Wolf’s Castle.” Even long years -ago, when it was tenanted by kindly folk -and was running over with life and happiness, -it had already earned its grim name.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_90">90</div> -<p>Max had been out hunting. He had -spent the day in the woods and fields, and -now as night fell, dark and lowering, he -hastened his steps. The first scattering -drops of rain struck his face, and the -wind was rising. It moaned and howled -like the distant cry of a wolf; it made -Max feel strangely nervous and frightened. -“Frightened!”—he laughed at -the thought. “A boy of twelve frightened -by the wind!”</p> -<p>And yet, listen! the patter of the rain -(coming faster now) sounds on the leaves -like the stealthy tread of some animal.</p> -<p>“If it is a wolf, it is the ghost of one; -for there are no wolves in this country -now,” thought Max. “How like a sigh -from human lips the wind sounds!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_91">91</div> -<p>“Home at last, I am thankful to say;” -and Max ran swiftly round to the back -door. As he closed it, the wind gave a -long-drawn wail, and he almost fancied -a hand strove to draw him back into the -darkness.</p> -<p>“I think I need my supper,” thought -he. “Fasting makes a fellow light-headed.”</p> -<p>Entering the kitchen with exultant -heart but studied indifference, he threw -his game down on the table before the -admiring cook, and then hastened to -change his dress. Soon, over a good supper, -he had forgotten the uncanny night -outside, though the wind still howled and -the rain beat against the window.</p> -<p>After supper Max went into the library. -How cosy and comfortable it was, with a -fire in the grate, an easy-chair drawn in -front of it, and the shadows dancing over -books and pictures!</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_92">92</div> -<p>“I’ll sit here in front of the fire and -rest,” thought he. He sat there mentally -reviewing the day’s sport. “I need a good -dog,” he said. “I must have one. Why, -what is that?” For there, lying in front -of the fire, basking in the heat, was -an immense dog, with shaggy coat and -pointed ears. Max called to him:—</p> -<p>“Here, old fellow; here, Bran,—why, -he knows his name. How did I come to -know it, I wonder!” For at the first call, -the dog had raised his head and beat his -great tail upon the floor. At the mention -of his name he sprang to his feet, and -came crouching and trembling with joy to -lick the hands and shoes of the lad.</p> -<p>“What is it then, good dog? Tell me -your story, for I’m sure you have one to -tell,” coaxed Max.</p> -<p>Did he tell it, or did Max dream? For -as the dog rested his head on the boy’s -knee and looked with liquid, loving eyes -into his face, Max glanced round the -room and saw a strange transformation: -the walls widened, the ceiling rose to a -greater height, and was crossed by great -black beams. On the walls hung shields, -spears, great swords, and numerous other -articles of war and of the chase.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_93">93</div> -<p>The polished grate had grown into -an immense fireplace, and the floor was -covered with what Max supposed were -rushes. But the people in the room interested -him most of all. On the opposite -side of the fireplace, in a great carven -chair, sat a lady, young and very lovely,—her -dress some rich dark green material -clasped at the throat and waist by heavy -golden clasps, her bare arms heavy with -gold armlets, her long black hair falling -in shining waves around her, and her eyes,—the -sea was in them,—gray or dark -blue, and in moments of anger flashing -greenish yellow like the eyes of some -animal.</p> -<p>She sat with her elbow on the arm of -her chair, her head resting on her hand, -looking into the fire and listening to the -music of an ancient harper, who sat in the -background, softly striking the chords of -his harp.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_94">94</div> -<p>The firelight, dancing over the room, -caused strange shadows; and Max fancied -himself one of the shadows, for his chair -was filled by a boy of his own age, sitting -just as he had been sitting, with the great -dog’s head on his knee; and notwithstanding -his strange dress, Max started -with a feeling almost of terror, for the boy -was his double; it was like seeing himself -in the glass.</p> -<p>A storm was raging around the castle, -and above the soft music of the harp -could be heard the rush of the wind, and -the roar of the ocean dashing at the foot -of the cliff.</p> -<p>The lady shivered and glanced round -the room. “I wish your father were -home, Patrick. How glad I shall be -when peace comes again.”</p> -<p>“I wish I were old enough to lead the -clan to battle, then father could remain -with you.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_95">95</div> -<div class="img" id="pic5"> -<img src="images/p019.png" alt="In a great carven chair sat a lady." width="500" height="770" /> -<p class="caption">In a great carven chair sat a lady.</p> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_97">97</div> -<p>“What? become a dotard? Out upon -you!” Her eyes flashed at the boy, and -the dog, raising his head, gave a low -growl. “Why do you not have that beast -speared? You know I hate him,” said -the lady.</p> -<p>“He was given to me (as you know) by -the good fathers at the monastery. They -told me always to cherish Bran, for he -would save me from demons, as well as -wolves. See the silver crosses on his -collar. Nothing can harm us while Bran -is here.”</p> -<p>The lady cast a look of fear and hatred -at the boy and the dog. “Be not too -sure,” she said. Springing to her feet, -she walked back and forth through the -room. Her step was smooth and graceful; -she made no sound on the rushes as -she walked.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_98">98</div> -<p>Presently there came a lull in the storm, -and from somewhere back in the hills -came the howl of a wolf. The lady -paused and listened, then turning to the -boy she said in a hurried manner, while -her eyes sought the floor: “I feel ill; I am -going to my room. Let no one disturb -me to-morrow; if I need help I will call.” -And as she turned to leave the room, -suddenly she paused. “Get you to bed, -Patrick, chain up that dog, and—you are -the hope and pride of your father—I lay -my commands on you—do not hunt -to-morrow.”</p> -<p>Then the lady was gone; but Bran was -trembling and growling. “He heard the -wolves howl,” said Patrick to the harper. -The old man looked into the fire and was -silent.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_99">99</div> -<p>Presently Patrick arose, and bidding -the harper good-night, went to his room, -closely followed at the heels by the great -dog. To his surprise, awaiting him in -his room was the housekeeper, an ancient -woman, who had been his father’s nurse. -She rose when Patrick entered, and came -toward him.</p> -<p>“My mind is troubled, child,” she said; -“I must tell you my story.”</p> -<p>“What is it, nurse?”</p> -<p>“It is about my lady Eileen, your stepmother. -May I speak?”</p> -<p>“Tell on,” said Patrick. “But remember, -I will hear nothing against my -lady;” for he well knew that the nurse -bore the young stepmother no good will.</p> -<p>“Well, listen, child. You were not here -when your father married my lady. You -had not left the monastery where your -father placed you for safety while he was -beyond seas. I must tell you first how -she came here.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_100">100</div> -<p>“Fingal, the huntsman, told me that -one day, when your father was hunting -alone, he was followed all day by a wolf. -It would lurk from one hillock to another, -but when he turned to pursue it, it would -disappear. Finally, at noon, when he sat -down to rest, it came creeping and fawning -to his feet. He was tempted to spear -it, but did not, out of surprise. Presently -it disappeared; but in the gloaming it -returned, and followed him clear to the -gate of the castle. This my lord told to -Fingal, and greatly did he marvel. That -same night,” whispered the nurse, mysteriously, -“came a call for help, and when the -gate was opened, there stood a beautiful -woman (my lady Eileen) who told how -she had lost her way and her company as -she journeyed to St. Hilda’s shrine. Your -father bade her enter, and she has abode -here ever since; for soon he married her, -and she became our lady.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_101">101</div> -<p>“Well, well, nurse, I knew of her coming, -and I know also that she was no waif, -but of a noble house and high lineage, as -her coat of arms bears witness,—a wolf -couchant. But why explain all this to you? -Right glad am I that she came to gladden -my father’s heart and brighten our home.”</p> -<p>“Yes, child, but listen; this only brings -me to my story. My lady has strange -spells of illness, and always after a wolf -howls.” The boy started impatiently, but -the old dame, laying her hand on his arm, -compelled him to listen. “The last time -it was moonlight. I was up in the turret -opposite her window; her lamp was lit, -and I saw a strange sight. My lady was -springing with long leaps backward and -forward over the floor, and wringing her -hands. Presently she went to her closet, -took from it a wolf’s skin, slipped it over -her dress, and I do not know how she got -outside the walls, but I saw her presently -speeding away with long leaps toward -the hills.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_102">102</div> -<p>“Nurse, nurse, are you crazy? It is my -lady of whom you speak. Never let me -hear you breathe that story again. Think -of my father’s wrath, should this come to -his ears.”</p> -<p>Still the old woman shook her head -and mumbled in wrath, and speedily -betook herself away; while Patrick, laughing -heartily at her foolish story, went to -bed. But all night above the roar of the -storm could be heard the howling of -wolves.</p> -<p>The morning broke wild and gloomy; -the castle seemed lonely and dreary without -the cheery presence of Lady Eileen. -Patrick went once to her door and knocked, -but received no answer. Presently Fingal, -the huntsman, came in, armed for the chase. -Bran followed close at his heels. “Will -my lord hunt to-day? The wolves were -among the flocks last night, the shepherds -tell me.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_103">103</div> -<p>Patrick hesitated, remembering his lady’s -commands, but he decided finally to go. -Soon he was ready, and issuing from the -gates, he and Fingal and the dog were lost -in the mists that enveloped the hills.</p> -<p>Long did the household wait their -return. Night was brooding: over the -castle when Fingal’s horn was heard at -the gate. In answer to the warder’s call -his voice came sternly through the night: -“Bring help, and come quickly; my lady -is dead.” To the grievous outcries and -questions that arose he would return no -answer.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_104">104</div> -<p>Soon an excited group were hurrying -toward the hills, and presently the torches -revealed a sad sight. The first to come -into view was their young lord, crouching -on the ground, with the dog’s head -clasped in his arms; Bran’s throat had -been torn and mangled, and he had been -thrust through with a spear. Patrick was -wounded and torn in many places; blood -was flowing down his face and throat, and -his tears were falling on the dog’s head. -Not far away lay Lady Eileen, quite dead. -Very beautiful and placid she looked, as -if sleeping; but on her throat were marks -of great teeth.</p> -<p>“Take up my lady and bear her to the -castle,” said Patrick; “as for Bran, you -must bury him here.”</p> -<p>“Nay, child, he is only a dead dog,” said -the old nurse, fussily. But she was met -by a stern command to be quiet.</p> -<p>“Do as I bid you,” he said to the servants, -and then added, “The good dog -went mad, and attacked my lady. I could -not save her. Let my father know this, -should I die;” and then the boy fell backward, -fainting.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_105">105</div> -<p>To the father it was a sad home-coming -when, a few days later, he returned from -war,—his beautiful young wife lying cold -and dead in the chapel; his son very -ill, calling always for Bran to save him -from some deadly peril.</p> -<p>Greatly the household marvelled how -their lady came to be out in the mist and -the storm, alone on the hills; but Fingal, -the huntsman, sought his two gossips, the -nurse and the harper, and told this tale -of the day’s hunt.</p> -<p>“We had followed the wolves all day, -and several had been killed. But there -was one gray wolf, who seemed the leader -of the pack. This one my lord singled -out, and followed from valley to valley. -Bran would not pursue it, but slunk and -cowered after his master, whining pitifully. -All day we followed it, until, late in -the gloaming, it had headed toward the -castle; and we pressed it hard. It finally -turned at bay, and, springing at my lord’s -throat, it brought him to the ground. -Bran was lagging behind, and I was urging -him forward. When he heard my lord’s -cries, the dog flew at the wolf. The beast -then turned on the dog, and as I ran to -help to spear it, I saw—” here the -huntsman’s voice sank into a whisper—“I -saw no wolf, but my lady, tearing and -rending the dog, while Bran’s teeth were -buried in her throat.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_106">106</div> -<p>“‘Separate them! save them!’ cried my -lord; and I, not knowing what else to do, -watched my chance and thrust the dog -through the body. He sank without a -groan, relaxing his grasp on my lady’s -throat. My lord gave a cry of despair, -and my lady, hearing it, crept over to him -and whispering, ‘Forgive; I could not help -it,’ sank dead at his feet. But Lord Patrick -passed her by, and threw himself -down by the dog; while I, half distraught, -came home for help.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_107">107</div> -<p>Then said the nurse, “See that you hold -your tongue, man, for if this story come -to the ears of my lord, your body will -want a head.”</p> -<p>But from that time forth the Lady -Eileen was spoken of as “The Wolf Lady,” -and in time, the grim name of the “Wolf’s -Castle” clung to her old home.</p> -<p>In the years that came and passed, Patrick -became chief in his father’s place; -and then a cairn was raised over the body -of the faithful dog.</p> -<p class="tb">Max awoke to find the fire out; shivered, -and sprang to his feet. “What a -strange dream!” he said.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_109">109</div> -<h2 id="c6">VI. -<br /><span class="small">THE CORN FAIRY.</span></h2> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p100.png" alt="" width="400" height="274" /> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_111">111</div> -<p>Little Theo sat up in bed and -looked out of the window. “It’s -going to be a nice day; the little -girl will be in the corn. We -will play all day long. I must hurry; she -doesn’t like to wait.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_112">112</div> -<p>Presently, her breakfast eaten and her -little tasks all finished, she was running as -fast as her feet would carry her toward -the wide fields of Indian corn. In a few -moments the great blades were rustling -above her head. They formed green -arches, down whose long vistas the little -girl eagerly peered. Soon, with a satisfied -laugh, she ran with outstretched hands -down the corn rows, and her voice came -back chattering, laughing, asking and answering -questions.</p> -<p>Theo’s mother had often heard her -speak of the little girl, or young lady, or -old lady, who played or talked with her -in the cornfield; but being a very busy -woman, and having little time to give the -child, she did not pay much attention. If -she heeded at all, she thought some neighbor -or her children had met the little girl -while passing through the cornfield. To-day -her attention had been aroused, and -she began to wonder who it was that Theo -was so eager to meet.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_113">113</div> -<p>So when Theo ran down to the cornfield, -her mother followed closely. She -saw her disappear in the corn, and marking -the place, hurried after. She could -hear the child’s voice close at hand, and -another’s, that sounded sometimes like a -human voice, and again like the wind -sighing in the corn. After a short search, -she saw at a distance her little daughter. -But what was she doing? Clasping in her -arms a group of cornstalks, and looking -lovingly up among the green waving blades. -But stay. Were they cornstalks? It surely -was a beautiful young woman, dressed in -trailing robes of green silk; her hair the -color of corn silk, waving around her face -and neck.</p> -<p>The little girl playfully clasped her -knees, while the lady, laughing, bent over -her, swaying and bending as corn does in -the wind. “Am I losing my senses, or -am I bewitched?” wondered the mother. -She was tempted to call her child to her, -and take her away from the field, but she -seemed so happy.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_114">114</div> -<p>Presently Theo sprang away from the -corn, and called back, “You cannot catch -me.” The wind suddenly blew the tossing -corn-blades together. When it lulled -again, she saw her little girl running down -the row, and close in pursuit ran the -young woman. No, stay. It was a child, -following closely after Theo. On they ran, -laughing, calling, and presently they came -back, panting.</p> -<p>Theo flung herself down to rest in the -shade of the corn, and so did the little -girl. But now, it was not a little girl, -but an old woman who sat there. Her -face, half hidden by her hood, was wrinkled -and yellow. She had a long cloak, with -the hood closely drawn over her head. -Her clothing was made of some material -the color of cornhusks, and was coarse -and stiff.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_115">115</div> -<div class="img" id="pic6"> -<img src="images/p101.png" alt="The little girl playfully clasped her knees." width="500" height="681" /> -<p class="caption">The little girl playfully clasped her knees.</p> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_117">117</div> -<p>Theo rested her elbow on the old woman’s -knee, and looked up into her face. -“I almost think I like you best this way,” -she said. “You make me think of such -comfortable things,—gathering nuts and -apples, and of pumpkin-pie, and—and—Christmas, -and going to grandpa’s on -Thanksgiving.” The old woman nodded -and sighed.</p> -<p>“Do you feel sad again?” Again she -nodded.</p> -<p>“About the corn-husking?” A nod.</p> -<p>“But you know next summer will come, -and you can begin all over again.”</p> -<p>Just here Theo’s mother thought, “I -must stop this; the child is talking either -to a ghost or a witch. Theo,” she called, -“come to me.”</p> -<p>The child sprang up from her seat and -came to her mother, rubbing her eyes.</p> -<p>“Now, mamma, you’ve frightened her -away; she won’t come back again to-day. -She doesn’t like folks.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_118">118</div> -<p>“Theo, who in the world are you talking -about; and why do you race up and down -the corn rows, laughing and chattering to -yourself?”</p> -<p>“Well, I’ll tell you, mamma; but first -let us go to the house; she might not like -to hear me.”</p> -<p>Soon after, they were seated in the cool -shaded parlor. The mother took the little -girl on her lap. “Now, Theo, tell me,” -she said. So the little child began.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_119">119</div> -<p>“Well, mamma, it began long ago, by -me being so lonesome. I haven’t any one -to play with, and one day I was out in the -cornfield when the corn was just as high -as me. And I spoke out loud, and I said, -‘Oh, dear, what shall I do for some one to -play with me? I shall go distracted’ (I -have heard you say that word, mamma)! -And I said, ‘I wish a little girl would grow -out of those cornstalks;’ and just as I said -that, the stalks parted, and out stepped -the nicest little girl. She was so pretty! -She had such curling brown hair, and blue -eyes, and her dress was of green silk; and -when she laughed, her teeth looked like -little grains of white corn, and she was -rubbing her eyes, as though she had just -waked up. And she knew me, mamma; -she said, ‘Why, Theo, did you come to -play with me?’ and pretty soon we were -the best friends you ever saw. And every -day we played and played; only she never -would tell me where she lived, and she -wouldn’t ever come home with me to play. -But one day, when the corn had grown -way high above my head, and the roasting -ears were getting ripe, she changed all at -once into such a pretty young lady. At -first I cried, for I didn’t want to lose my -little girl; but the young lady was so lovely, -mamma, and she sang to me, and we -talked; and so one day last fall, when the -cornstalks were turning yellow, I found my -young lady had changed into an old one. -And I was afraid of her at first, she was so -bent over, and was queer looking. But -I got real well acquainted with her, and -she told me stories about gathering nuts, -and about squirrels and birds, and oh, lots -of things, and I just love her now!</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_120">120</div> -<p>“Well, I wanted to tell you, but you -didn’t pay much ’tention when I talked to -you; so, when husking time came, my -poor old lady wrung her hands and cried, -and told me good-bye, and I just couldn’t -’dure to see her go, and my dear cornfield -torn down, and I have felt so lonesome.</p> -<p>“Well, this summer, the little girl came -back, when the corn was tall enough for -us to play in; and now we know each -other so well that she changes just for fun, -from a little girl to a young lady, and then -to an old one; and she keeps me uneasy, -mamma, for I never know just when she -will change. She told me once she was -an Indian woman, and that she was civilized -now,—and that’s all.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_121">121</div> -<p>Theo ended with a sigh of relief that -the story was told. The mother looked at -the child long and curiously. “Well, I -declare!” she said. But that night she -said to Theo’s papa: “We must send -Theo to school. The child’s head is filled -with all sorts of nonsense; it’s time she -was taught something sensible; and, if I -were in your place, I would turn that -cornfield into pasture-land, and invest in -more cattle.”</p> -<p>“I have been thinking of that myself,” -he answered.</p> -<p>By and by the mother asked, “John, was -that cornfield ever used by the Indians as -a burial place, or anything?”</p> -<p>“I don’t know,” he answered musingly. -“I used to plow up arrow-heads, and pipe-bowls -of red sandstone, when I first broke -the prairie sod. Why do you ask?”</p> -<p>“Oh, just because,” she answered.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_123">123</div> -<h2 id="c7">VII. -<br /><span class="small">AT THE WAYSIDE CROSS.</span></h2> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p102.png" alt="" width="400" height="179" /> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_125">125</div> -<p>There is a border land that lies -just beyond this everyday life, -but not within the bounds of -dreamland. We call it, for want -of a better name, “The land of fancy, or -of waking dreams.”</p> -<p>A young mother lay in her white bed, -and close in her arms nestled the little -soul whose life journey was just beginning. -It was twilight time, and the mother lay -half asleep, half awake, close on the confines -of that border land.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_126">126</div> -<p>The rain beating on the window, the -fire purring in the grate, played a soft -accompaniment to her thoughts.</p> -<p>“What will my little baby’s life be,—happy -or sad?” questioned the mother. -“Oh, dear All-Father, if I might know!” -thus she prayed. And while she asked -and wondered, a soft rustle by her bedside -caused her to glance up. Above her and -the sleeping baby leaned a tall bright -angel, in garments soft and white like -snow, with folded wings like the petals of -some great white lily. “What is it,” -wondered the mother; and a soft voice answered: -“I am your baby’s angel. Your -prayer has been heard. Look.” And -the mother, following the angel’s glance, -saw at the foot of the bed three gray -shapes, three mysterious woman forms. -There they sat, solemnly regarding the -little one. In the hands of one was -what the mother knew to be a distaff; -from it, a fine thread passed to the -baby’s hand. “Ah, that is why you -clasp your hands so tightly, my darling, -lest you lose the thread,” said the -mother.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_127">127</div> -<p>The next sister held a pair of shears in -her hand; her eyes were sad and downcast. -The last one had empty hands, but -she spoke with authority, and she said: -“Sisters, this new soul is bound for the -city on the heights of Peace. How shall -she reach it?”</p> -<p>Then spoke the one with the distaff: -“Ah, sister, she is little and weak. She is -a woman child. May she not go by the -way that leads through the valley, where -there is pleasant shade, and the birds sing -all day long?”</p> -<p>The eldest answered: “Who that takes -that route reaches the city? Do they -not wander away into the defiles of the -mountains, and the heights are lost to -them? Nay, sisters, she shall go by the -way of tears till she come to the wayside -cross.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_128">128</div> -<p>Then the pitying one raised the shears -to cut the tiny thread of life, but the other -stayed her hand. “Let me read to you -her destiny,” she said.</p> -<p>The angel bent low over the mother -and child. “Be strong, be courageous,” he -whispered; and the mother’s fears were -stilled.</p> -<p>Then spoke the Fate: “This soul shall -early be acquainted with sorrow; and the -angel of pain shall walk hand in hand with -her. But close beside shall walk the -angel of patience. Her little feet shall -be pierced with thorns and bruised with -cruel rocks. But beside the stony path -sweet flowers will bloom. She will hear -the lark sing up in the blue, and at every -turn in the path she will look backward -and see that she is climbing higher. -Sometimes, to strengthen her, shall be -given her glimpses of the wonderful city. -And always her guardian angel shall be -with her to minister to her.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_129">129</div> -<div class="img" id="pic7"> -<img src="images/p103.png" alt="Glimpses of the Wonderful City shall be given to her." width="400" height="588" /> -<p class="caption">Glimpses of the Wonderful City shall be given to her.</p> -</div> -<p>“As the years go by, she will not -journey alone. She will be happy, for -love will lighten the way. Then suddenly -shall she come to the wayside cross. -There a great horror of darkness shall -settle over her, her strength shall be taken -from her, and she shall lie with her face -in the dust.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_130">130</div> -<p>“But at the cross, the clouds will separate, -the mists roll away, and she will find -her journey almost accomplished. For -behold, from it a wonderful stairway of -pearl and gold leads up into the heart of -the city; and her loved ones will hasten -to greet her, and stretch out their hands -to help her on her way. She will have -gained the heights of Peace, and will be -an inhabitant of that wonderful country, a -citizen of the golden city.”</p> -<p>Then the mother, weeping tears of sorrow -and of joy, was satisfied, and the tiny -baby stirred in its sleep, and nestled closer -to her heart.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_131">131</div> -<h2 id="c8">VIII. -<br /><span class="small">IN QUEST OF THE DARK.</span></h2> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p104.png" alt="" width="400" height="238" /> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_133">133</div> -<p>Little Gene, up at the castle, -was missing. The night had -come on, and the woods that -inclosed the cliff on which the -castle stood, and that swept down the -valley and up the opposite heights, were -hushed and still, or sighing dolefully in -the summer wind. The servants were -out with torches, calling, and running in -every direction. Some one suggested letting -out the dogs; but that, the lady -would not allow. She would not have -the child torn to pieces by the great wolf-hounds, -she said. She sat in her room -and wrung her hands in despair. For the -twentieth time she questioned the weeping -nurse, who grew more frightened and -confused with each question.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_134">134</div> -<p>“Most noble lady, I saw him last in -the courtyard. He called to me and -said: ‘Nursie, I will run away out into -the deep wood;’ and I answered that the -Dark would catch him if he did, and then -he could never get home again; and he -said: ‘I am not afraid of the Dark. I will -find him, and tell him so; and I like -the Dark.’ And then—I brought him -into the play-room, and I—”</p> -<p>“Stop right there!” cried the mother. -“You did not bring him in. You intended -to do so; but in talking with the men-at-arms -and other idlers, you forgot my son; -and now, he is either in the grasp of that -robber chief Montfort, or the wolves have -found him.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_135">135</div> -<p>Here the mother’s and the nurse’s outcries -blended; and if the nurse’s shrieks -were loudest, there may have been cause; -for a noble dame’s white hand could strike -heavily, in those days.</p> -<p>The whole night through, the mother -and the nurse mingled their tears for their -darling, while the search went on. The -men-at-arms and servants loved the boy, -not only that he was the son of their lord -but for his own quaint ways and bonny face.</p> -<p>Early in the morning the seekers came -straggling in, tired and hungry; no trace -had been found of the child. All feared -to tell their lady of their fruitless quest. -She had not ceased, all night, to walk the -floor, weeping, and asking herself how she -would dare tell her husband that their -boy was gone. The nurse crouched by -the door, trembling, and in sore distress; -while the seekers asked of each other who -was to tell their mistress. While they -lingered, a shout from the valley caused -all to hasten to the castle wall. A horse -and rider came rapidly toward them from -under the trees; clasped in the rider’s -arms was little Gene; his yellow curls -glistened against the man’s black armor.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_136">136</div> -<p>Placing the child on the ground, the -stranger bowed low to the lady, turned his -horse, and disappeared into the forest. -The mother scarcely saw him; her eyes -were on her boy. She reached out her -arms to him.</p> -<p>“Gene, little Gene, my dearest, come.” -The little fellow kissed his hand and waved -it to her. Soon he was in her arms; and -she held him close, while she questioned -him.</p> -<p>“Where have you been, Gene, and who -was yon dark man who brought you -home?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_137">137</div> -<div class="img" id="pic8"> -<img src="images/p105.png" alt="Soon he was in her arms." width="500" height="722" /> -<p class="caption">Soon he was in her arms.</p> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_139">139</div> -<p>“That was the Dark, mamma. Nurse -does always tell me that the Dark will -catch me; and when I say that I do not -fear, she threatens to send me to him. I -asked her where he lived, and she said, -‘In the day-time, in the great vaults under -the castle;’ and I asked her where he -lived at night, and she said, ‘In the deep -woods.’ So I said I would find him, and -tell him I did not fear him.”</p> -<p>“Did you think to frighten his father’s -son with such baby lore?” asked the lady -of the nurse, scornfully.</p> -<p>“But continue, my son; tell me, how -went you out from the castle?”</p> -<p>“There is a little door through which—but -dear mamma, I cannot tell you what -is known only to the men-at-arms.”</p> -<p>The lady glanced round darkly. “This -castle needeth its master sorely,” she said. -The men drew back abashed. The boy -continued,—</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_140">140</div> -<p>“When I came out into the woods, I -left the path that leads away—away,”—he -spread out his dimpled arms and looked -far off,—“I know not whither it goes, but -I left it, and sought the deep wood. The -shadows are heavy there, and it is very still. -While I stood under a tree, uncertain which -way to go, suddenly down toward me, -through the trees, came the Dark.”</p> -<p>“Holy Mary! it was some robber,” -exclaimed the mother.</p> -<p>“No, mamma, I tell you, it was the -Dark. He was very black; his armor -was black, and so were his beard and his -eyes. He looked at me as though he -wanted to eat me. But I said, ‘Are you -the Dark? I come to find you and to -tell you that I do not fear you.’ And -then I looked at him, and he laughed, and -I said, ‘I think I am going to like you;’ -and he said, ‘Who are you? Have you -strayed from Fairyland?’</p> -<p>“So I told him who I was, and he -frowned and said, ‘Careless woman, to -guard such a treasure so slackly.’ Who -did he mean, mamma?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_141">141</div> -<div class="img" id="pic9"> -<img src="images/p106.png" alt="“I think I am going to like you.”" width="500" height="704" /> -<p class="caption">“I think I am going to like you.”</p> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_143">143</div> -<p>The lady’s face flushed. “Continue, -my son; did he harm you?”</p> -<p>“Oh, mamma, no. He found me some -berries and a drink from a spring; and -then he showed me how, at his coming, -the little birds went to sleep in the trees, -and the deer beneath them. And he -showed me the stars, coming out in the -deep sky. And when I grew sleepy, he -held me in his arms, and sang of the white -moths, and the glowworms; and the bird -that sings at night sang with him; and -then I went to sleep. But when morning -came he found a great black horse, which -was his; and so he brought me home, and -made me promise never to seek for him -again. I did not want to promise, only -his eyes looked so that I feared him; so I -promised; and he gave me this keepsake, -for my mamma.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_144">144</div> -<div class="img" id="pic10"> -<img src="images/p107.png" alt="“He gave me this keepsake for my mamma.”" width="500" height="714" /> -<p class="caption">“He gave me this keepsake for my mamma.”</p> -</div> -<p>Here little Gene drew forth from his -sleeve a piece of parchment, which he -handed to his mother.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_145">145</div> -<p>The lady was obliged to call to her aid -the priest, who read slowly:—</p> -<p>“Thou careless woman, guard this treasure -more securely, lest he fall a second -time into the hands of Montfort.”</p> -<p>“Holy St. Denis! it was that fierce -robber,” said the lady.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_147">147</div> -<h2 id="c9">IX. -<br /><span class="small">THE KING WILL HUNT TO-DAY.</span></h2> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p108.png" alt="" width="400" height="214" /> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_149">149</div> -<p>This story was told by an Indian -mother to her children, while -the wind whirled and twisted -the snow into great heaps -against the walls of the tepee.</p> -<p>“This that I will tell you happened -many years ago, before the white man was -here, and when the red man owned all the -vast prairies and deep woods, the great -lakes and broad rivers of this land. The -red man ruled over every living animal, -save the great bear, who dwelt in the dim -vastness of the forest, and the gaunt -wolves, who submitted to the rule of a -king, strong and terrible.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_150">150</div> -<p>“One winter the frost came early; the -rivers were frozen solid; the snow covered -the nuts under the trees and the roots -that were eatable. The animals sought -their dens and burrows, and the earth slept -the death-sleep. All living things suffered, -the red men most of all; there was -fasting and sorrow in all the tepees—in -all save one, where lived the Wolf-Maiden -and her mother. Their tepee was warm -and bright—warm with the furs of animals, -bright with the light of great dry -logs blazing on the fire. The daughter -was plump and rosy, for she had plenty of -food; but the mother was thin and pale, -and sat all day with her face hidden on -her knees, in the corner of the tepee. -Every night the daughter called the -mother to come with her; and the mother -followed, trembling, not daring to disobey. -Those who watched them saw them disappear -in the starlight, across the wide, -snow-covered prairie, taking the direction -of the ravine, where were the dens of the -Wolf-King and his old wolf-mother. They -would return heavily laden with meat and -furs; and frequently the mother bent under -a great load of logs. Often when the -children of the village, hollow-eyed and -pale, would come near the tepee, scenting -the fragrance of the broiling meat, the -maiden would snatch from the fire a portion -and offer it to the little ones; but it -was rejected with horror; for the mothers -had told the children that the meat was -bewitched, and if they ate of it they would -be turned into wolves.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_151">151</div> -<p>“The Wolf-Maiden was looked upon -with fear; for it was said that in the long -summer evenings she had been seen playing -and romping with the old mother-wolf -and the young Wolf-King; while her -Indian mother, from a distant hill, watched -her, and wrung her hands for fear. So all -the girls of the tribe shunned her, and the -young men feared her greatly.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_152">152</div> -<p>“Now the winter waxed colder and -fiercer, and cruel hunger dwelt in each -tepee. Many little ones died, for there -was no food for them; and there was -mourning in the village. The Wolf-Maiden’s -heart was filled with pity; she -went to the mothers and offered them -meat for the children. When they drew -back she said, ‘Is it not better to give -this to the children than to see them -die? Do not I eat it, and am I a wolf?’</p> -<p>“Then her face grew red as the sky when -the sun bids it good night. The mothers -finally accepted the meat, although with -many a smothered curse for the giver. -The children grew strong and rosy again; -and the parents watched them anxiously, to -see if claws or fur would appear on them.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_153">153</div> -<p>“But the Wolf-King and his subjects -grew weary with the toil of supplying so -many with food; and in sulky silence they -retired to their dens and slept the time -away. Then, when the Wolf-Maiden had -gone to his den, and had called the king -to come to her without avail, she sought -the old mother-wolf, and she said, ‘Oh, -mother, dost thou not care that thy child -lacks food? and see, my lazy brother will -not hunt for me.’</p> -<p>“And the wolf-mother said, ‘Daughter, -I know well that it is not for thyself thou -demandest food, but for the helpless beings -among whom thou dost dwell. What is -it to me that they starve? Have they not -taken thee from me, and dost thou not -blush when thou rememberest that thou -wast once a wolf?’</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_154">154</div> -<p>“‘Not so,’ answered the maid; ‘I blush -rather for the cruel heart that a wolf-skin -can cover. Give me now my wolf-skin -robe: I will find food for those helpless -little ones.’</p> -<p>“Then hastily snatching the robe she -flung it over her shoulders, and she was -changed into a wolf, and, speeding away -across the snow, she was quickly lost to -view in the distance. Then the old wolf-mother -sprang to the door of her cave -and sent a cry of alarm and anguish up -the valley. It entered the door of the -Wolf-King’s den, and awoke the sleeping -monarch. He ran with great leaps down -the valley to his mother’s home. She -quickly told him her story, and bemoaned -her own and her son’s selfishness.</p> -<p>“‘Thy sister will die, will die! And I, -her mother, have sent her to her death. -She is all unused to the hunt, she will perish -alone in the bitter cold! Follow her! -Bring her back!’</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_155">155</div> -<p>“Then the king ran swiftly down the -valley, giving the hunting call as he ran; -and all the wolves of the pack awoke and -called to each other: ‘The king will hunt -to-day!’ And there was a gathering and -mustering of the strong ones of the tribe. -And the king said, ‘Come, follow, follow -quickly, we are on the track of a wolf. I -warn ye all, let no one harm the stranger -should we meet with it; for it is my royal -sister, returned to us once more!’</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_156">156</div> -<p>“Now the Wolf-Maiden ran long and -far over the dim snow-covered plain, but -found nothing; for she was unused to -the hunt, and knew not how to track or -to follow. Presently she drew near the -great black forest, wherein dwelt the Bear-King. -But this she did not heed, for just -on the edge of the forest an antelope -started up from the long, high grass and -brush, and sprang away among the great -trees. The Wolf-Maiden followed closely -on its trail. She did not see the wicked -eyes, cruel claws, or gleaming teeth above -her. Just as she sprang on the antelope, a -blow from the great bear’s paw struck her -down. She sprang to her feet, all the royal -blood in her body aroused by the blow; -but who could strive against that terrible -arm? Suddenly through the forest rang -the royal hunting call of the Wolf-King, -and the great bear turned to face as cruel -a fate as he had planned for the Wolf-Maiden. -Then came the combat: terrible -blows were given and taken, growls and -snarls of rage, the wild joy and glow of -the battle. The Wolf-Maiden, forgetting -all but her wolf nature, joined in the -struggle, and helped to drag the monster -to the ground.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_157">157</div> -<p>“When the battle was over and the bear -was dead, the pack withdrew to a respectful -distance, and formed a circle around -the dead bear and antelope. They watched -the Wolf-King and his sister divide the -spoil; a large portion for the helpless -children, a smaller portion for their mother -and themselves. And when they were -served, the wolves closed in around the -carcasses and left scarcely the bones.</p> -<p>“The Wolf-Maiden returned no more -to the Indian village; retaining her wolf -form, she abode with her own mother. But -all through the cold of the terrible winter, -the wolves brought down the game, and -supplied the wants of the children; and -when the winter was gone, and the birds -sang on the ridgepoles of the tepees, the -Wolf-King, his mother, sister, and tribe -removed far to the north land. Ever -after, the wolf was venerated in the tribe -and was chosen as their totem.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_159">159</div> -<h2 id="c10">X. -<br /><span class="small">HE WAS A PRINCE.</span></h2> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p109.png" alt="" width="400" height="240" /> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_161">161</div> -<p>The rain had poured down -steadily all day. Max was tired -and depressed, for a slight cold -made going out into the rain -impossible. All the books had been read -and re-read. There was no one to amuse -him but Candace, the nurse, a mulatto -woman of dignified and solemn mien, who -always reminded him of Thorwaldsen’s -“Africa,” for her large eyes had a far-away -look, “As if she were remembering things,” -Max said.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_162">162</div> -<p>She was kind, but seldom talked to him; -and as Max had no mother to tell his -thoughts to, they would sit for an hour at -a time, dreaming their own dreams, neither -speaking to the other.</p> -<p>As the afternoon wore on, Max grew -more and more restless and his sighs more -frequent. Nurse Candace glanced up -from her sewing, but said nothing.</p> -<p>Just then the great white cat, “Necho” -by name, rose up from his dark red velvet -cushion, yawned wearily, stretched himself, -and stepped with stately grace from the -room.</p> -<p>“Why! he walks like a prince,” said Max.</p> -<p>“He is a prince at night,” said Candace.</p> -<p>“Is he? How do you know?” eagerly -asked Max.</p> -<p>“If I tell you, you must not let him -suspect, even by your actions, that you -know,” said Candace, “or my punishment—” Here -she broke off.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_163">163</div> -<p>“I promise,” said Max.</p> -<p>“Well, it is as I tell you. All day long -while the daylight lasts with us he is -under a spell. Once, in the olden days, -his father, the king of Egypt, caused to be -put to death a great magician; but before -his death the magician laid a spell upon -the great king’s only son, Prince Necho; -and this was it. When night came the -prince and one attendant were to depart -to the westward, far over the unknown -sea; and when they came to the land of -strangers, the prince must take the form -of some animal.</p> -<p>“When the queen heard this she was -filled with despair, and implored the great -cat-headed goddess, Pacht, to have mercy -on her son; but all the comfort the goddess -promised her was, that the spell upon -the prince should last only from darkness -to daylight; that he might take the -form of the animal sacred to the goddess, -the cat; because of his pure and -blameless life he should be a white cat; -that while he was under the spell he -should have a kind and loving master, and -his faithful attendant should be with him.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_164">164</div> -<p>“Now, when night is settling down over -us, and the sun-god is rising over Egypt, -great Prince Necho returns to his own. -Not to the present Egypt, with its lonely -ruins and its race of slaves, but to a great -and glorious realm; for the curtain that -hides the past is lifted.”</p> -<p>“And do you go with him? Are you a -great princess in Egypt? Oh, may I not -go too? Please, please, Candace, let me.”</p> -<p>“Peace! child of the stranger,” said -Candace sternly. “Is it not enough that -I am revealing the prince’s life to you?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_165">165</div> -<p>Then presently she added in a kinder -tone: “Now at night, when Necho goes -to the door and asks to have it opened, you -unfasten it for him and watch him as he -walks leisurely to the steps of the porch. -But what you do not see is a great ocean, -whose waves lap the steps; and on its -waves rises and falls a galley of gold and -precious wood, with silken sails. This -awaits the prince.</p> -<p>“He steps on board and is received with -joy by kneeling subjects. The white fur -robe he wears here is thrown gladly aside, -and the prince sinks to rest, lulled by -beautiful music. Speedily he is borne to -the mouth of the Nile, where thousands of -boats await his coming. Softly he is -wafted up the river to the great city, where -in their palace by the water wait the king -and queen. The father advances with joy -to receive his son. The queen, with tears -in her beautiful dark eyes, clasps him in -her arms and kisses into forgetfulness the -sad night of humiliation he has known. -All the land rejoices as at the coming of -the sun-god.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_166">166</div> -<p>“Then begins the real life of Prince -Necho. He is taught by the priests the -sacred mysteries he must know as the -great ruler of Egypt. He is taught also -the art of ruling himself as well as his -subjects. In all manner of noble feats of -horsemanship, of chariot racing, of hunting -and of war he is taught. And the hours -are light with happiness and joy and love. -And as the day nears its closing, the -father and mother, sitting by him and -clasping his hands, speak of their love and -their sorrow, and of the time when by -great gifts to the gods and to the poor, -and by living noble lives, they may expiate -the crime of the magician’s death (beloved -of Osiris) and so remove the spell from -their beloved one.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_167">167</div> -<div class="img" id="pic11"> -<img src="images/p110.png" alt="In their palace by the water wait the king and queen." width="500" height="683" /> -<p class="caption">In their palace by the water wait the king and queen.</p> -</div> -<p>“Now as the sun sinks in the desert -sands, behold there is mourning in all the -land of Egypt. And the queen, prostrate -on the steps of the altar sacred to Pacht, -implores her protection for her darling; -while the king and the prince, kneeling in -the great temple of Osiris, offer oblations -to the offended god. As the twilight -deepens, sadly the prince returns to his -galley, and sinking into troubled dreams, -is borne to this land of strangers. And -here the waiting attendant wraps the white -robe of fur around him; and he awakes to -find the spell not yet removed.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_168">168</div> -<p>“But the one bright spot in his dark -prison life is the love he bears the son of -the stranger.”</p> -<p>While Nurse Candace, in a low monotone, -repeated her wondrous story, the -night outside the windows darkened, and -Necho, coming into the room, came up to -Max and rubbed his head gently against -his knee, then walking to the hall door -he asked for it to be opened.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_169">169</div> -<p>As Max stood in the open door and -watched the enchanted prince go down -the steps, he fancied he saw, through the -rain, the sheen of the silken sails and the -gleam of gold on the galley’s prow, and -was sure he heard the hymn of welcome. -Returning to the room, he saw Nurse -Candace sitting with bowed head and sad -eyes.</p> -<p>“The attendant does not go with the -prince to Egypt,” said Max.</p> -<p>“The attendant awaits here the prince’s -sad returning,” she answered.</p> -<p>“But the days will not seem long to the -prince; he sleeps the time away,” he said.</p> -<p>“What better can he do,” answered -Candace, “than to make of this life a sleep -and a forgetting, or to wander in dreams -in Egypt?”</p> -<p>Long did Max sit and ponder over this -strange story. “Can it be true, I wonder?” -he thought. “It cannot be; it is too -wonderful. And yet, Candace is so strange. -And Necho often reminds me of the sphinx. -Well, I will believe it if to-morrow morning -I find a lotus blossom on my pillow.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_170">170</div> -<p>And so, going to bed, he dreamed of -following Necho over a sunlit sea to Egypt.</p> -<p>Strange to tell, in the morning a blue -lotus blossom lay on his pillow when -he awoke. And when Candace came to -call him, she glanced at the flower and -started.</p> -<p>“Where did it come from, Candace?” -asked Max, although he was quite sure -that he knew.</p> -<p>“From the market, of course,” answered -Candace. “Uncle Moses” (the colored -man of all work) “was there early, and no -doubt brought it home with the marketing. -He must have laid it on your pillow.”</p> -<p>But Max thought Necho could tell him -about the flower, although he was careful -not to ask him, or by his actions to -reveal the secret that he knew that he was -a prince.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_171">171</div> -<p>A few nights later Max had retired -early with a severe headache. He awoke, -after a deep sleep, to find his headache -gone, the room filled with moonlight; -awoke to the pressure of a soft hand on -his forehead, and saw Candace bending -over him. But how oddly she was dressed! -He gazed at her in wonder. And then -it flashed through his mind that her -costume was an exact copy of a picture -he had seen, taken from some rock-tomb -by the Nile. It was the ancient dress of -an Egyptian lady.</p> -<p>“Waken, Max, rise and dress quickly; -for permission has been granted us to go -this night with the prince to Egypt. -Hasten, and I will wait for thee outside -the door.”</p> -<p>How soft and musical her voice sounded! -Soft and exquisite as a haunting melody -heard in dreams. And how wonderfully -her strange dress became her! But almost -before he had time to note this, she had -vanished softly from the room.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_172">172</div> -<p>Wondering greatly, Max hastened to -dress. But what was this? Instead of his -usual garments he found the very oddest -dress that was ever worn by an American -boy. Strange to say, he found no difficulty -in placing the different articles, for -each one seemed to take its required place -without effort on his part. It was all so -familiar, and yet so strange. Soon he was -attired in the most approved costume of -a young Egyptian noble of some thousands -of years ago.</p> -<p>When he had finished dressing he softly -opened the door. Candace seized his -hand and hurriedly drew him through the -upper hall and down the stairs.</p> -<p>And there Max beheld a wondrous -sight.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_173">173</div> -<p>For the hall door was open. And down -the hall and porch knelt two rows of the -prince’s subjects, richly and strangely -dressed. But he had small time to note -them; for at the foot of the stairs stood -the prince. When Max saw him in all -his glorious young majesty, something in -his heart compelled him to bow the knee; -free born though he was, he knelt low -before the prince, for his face was homage-compelling.</p> -<p>The prince was dressed in dazzling garments, -and jewels innumerable glittered -when he moved. From his shoulders hung -the white fur robe.</p> -<p>Taking Max’s hand, the prince bade -him rise, and turning to his attendants, -commanded them to hasten. Quickly -they stepped on board. Candace reverently -drew the white robe from the prince’s -shoulders; then, settling back among his -silken cushions, the prince bade Max sit -beside him. Candace knelt at his feet. -And, strange to relate, Moses, in most -gorgeous array, held the insignia of royalty -over the head of the prince.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_174">174</div> -<p>Then to the accompaniment of soft -music, as they swiftly sailed, the prince -told how he had prevailed on the priests -to allow him to take with him Max and -Candace.</p> -<p>“And they were the more willing,” said -the prince, “since it was predicted by the -astrologers at my birth that I should be -saved from great evil by one of an unknown -time and race. And the astrologers assure -the priests that the hour has come.”</p> -<p>Then Candace, looking far across the -sea, murmured her thanks to Pacht that -it was come; and Max told the prince how -he longed that he might have the great -honor and joy of saving him.</p> -<p>Then Prince Necho set himself presently -to the task of teaching Max the forms and -ceremonies to be observed when they should -come into the presence of the king and -queen; and Max learned readily, as one -recalling some half-forgotten lesson.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_175">175</div> -<p>When they had reached the mouth of -the Nile, they were borne up the river to -the city of the great king. There the -royal father and mother and a great multitude -welcomed them to Egypt. The -queen kissed Max, and her lips were cool -and soft on his brow as the petals of the -lotus blossom. And afterwards she embraced -Candace and thanked her for her -devotion to her son. Then, after many -strange ceremonials and great rejoicing, -the multitude were dismissed, and the king -and queen led the way to their private -apartments.</p> -<p>Now it seemed to Max that he remained -many days in the palace and saw wonderful -sights; and his soul was surfeited with -pleasures.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_176">176</div> -<p>But the prince grew restless under this -life of ease and luxury, and longed to -break away from it all. One day he said -to his royal father, “I would I might take -Max for a day’s hunting; I would show -him noble sport.”</p> -<p>The queen looked up, pale and anxious; -and the king answered slowly, “Thou -mayst go, since the spell is on thee; but -beware the lions.”</p> -<p>And Necho answered: “Why should I -fear them; am I not thy son? Then am -I mightier than they.”</p> -<p>But the queen was weeping.</p> -<p>Then the next day, early in the morning, -they started for the wild beasts’ -haunts in the thick jungles by the river in -the royal hunting grounds. And on the -way Necho said: “Max, part of the spell -laid upon me is my mad desire at times -to hunt the wild beasts and kill them. -When that desire comes, I know no rest -until I have killed.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_177">177</div> -<p>Just then the royal hunters came to -them and announced a lion hidden in the -thick reeds. Then Necho, leaving Max in -safety to view the sport, sprang into his -chariot and bade his charioteer drive on. -Straight toward the jungle they drove, -when out from it sprang a great tawny -beast. At the sight of it Max’s heart -stood still with fear. On it bounded, past -the horses, straight at the prince. Swift -as thought he threw his spear; it sank -deep into the eye of the lion, and he rolled -over, roaring with agony. The nobles and -hunters soon despatched the beast; and -when it was dead all joined in lauding the -prince to the sky.</p> -<p>“Tell me, O prince,” said Max, as they -were wending home, followed by the carcass -of the lion, borne on the spears of the -hunters,—“tell me, did you strike purposely -at the lion’s eye?”</p> -<p>“Surely; I could strike at no better -place, and I have been trained to a steady -and sure hand.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_178">178</div> -<p>And Max thought to himself that Necho -was the bravest as well as the handsomest -prince that ever lived.</p> -<p>That evening, as the sun was travelling -westward toward the desert, these two were -idling away the hour in one of the courts -of the palace. It was a beautiful spot, -cool with the spray from the fountain and -musical with the sound of falling waters. -They were idly tossing a ball backward -and forward to each other. The prince -leaned against a gilded trellis on which -some rare vine was growing. He spoke -suddenly: “Max, I feel strangely restless. -When I went early this morning to the -temple of Osiris, the priests told me that I -should be in deadly peril this day, but that -Osiris would this night be pleased with me. -I would have hesitated to go hunt the lions -this morning, but I thought if Osiris was -pleased with me, I had naught to fear, even -if death came. And now the hunt is over; -and I was not in deadly peril.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_179">179</div> -<p>“Surely you were in danger this morning -of losing your life, prince; be assured -that is what the priests foretold.”</p> -<p>“I think not,” answered the prince, and -then was silent.</p> -<p>Suddenly, there came springing through -one of the entrances to the court an immense -dog. Max recognized it as a huge -mastiff, one of the largest and fiercest. -His voice was a hoarse roar of rage, and -his great mouth, wide open, showed his -white teeth. With gleaming eyes he -rushed at the prince; and when Necho -saw him, he gave a shriek (strangely like -the cry of a cat) and sprang up the trellis, -which began to bend with his weight.</p> -<p>“Oh, Max! save me; save me from the -magician!” he screamed.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_180">180</div> -<p>Max, very much startled and rather -shocked at the prince’s fright, seized his -sword and rushed at the dog, who now -turned his rage on Max. The boy struck -at him again and again with the sword, -and finally with a sharp thrust of its point -he gave the dog his death wound. Max -turned, to see the prince trembling and -cowering, with his hands over his face.</p> -<p>“Look up, dear prince, he is dying. -You have nothing to fear.”</p> -<p>“I cannot look until the life has left -him. It is the evil one, who has this -wicked enchantment over me,” answered -the prince. Just then, with a groan, the -dog stiffened himself and died.</p> -<p>Then suddenly, from the palace, from -the temples, from the city, arose a great -shout of joy. Max was clasped close in -the prince’s arms and felt his warm tears -on his face. Still the shouting went on. -It was a glad psalm of thanksgiving for -one beloved of the gods and men, who was -delivered from great evil. “Glory and -thanksgiving,” chanted the priests. “Joy, -joy,” sang the people.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_181">181</div> -<p>And while they listened, suddenly the -king and queen, Candace and Moses, and -a great company were around them. -They would have knelt to Max, but he -would not allow it.</p> -<p>But while he witnessed the father’s and -mother’s joy over their son, suddenly he -remembered his own father, left alone in -a distant land, and a great longing to go -to him took possession of his heart. He -could not tell this longing to Necho, for -already he was planning a happy life in -Egypt, with Max as his other self. And -Max knew that when he returned to his -own country he must bid adieu to Necho -during this life.</p> -<p>Now as he walked, troubled in mind, in -the palace gardens, the queen sent for him -to come to her, and she said: “Dear Max, -savior of my son, what is it that troubles -thee?”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_182">182</div> -<p>Then Max laid all before her, and she -answered: “It is right that thou shouldst -go, for not only does thy father need thee, -but thou dost belong to a far-away race -and age that we may never know. It is -not meet that thou abide here. Nay we -must not hold thee, lest we risk the anger -of the gods. Go, then, to thine own -country; only sometimes, in thy dreams, -remember us, who then will be only -phantoms of a forgotten past.”</p> -<p>Her dark eyes looked sadly at Max, and -he answered, “Beautiful queen and loved -mistress, I will never cease to remember -Egypt and thee and my loved prince.”</p> -<p>And while he yet was speaking the sun -had risen, and Max was sleeping in his -own bed at home.</p> -<p>He sprang up to see if the Egyptian -dress was on the chair where he had found -it, but his own garments were there.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_183">183</div> -<p>He hastily dressed, but while doing so -glanced at his hand, and saw the prince’s -thumb ring, which Necho had placed on -it the day before. Then Max knew that -he would never see Necho again. He -ran downstairs, half hoping to find Candace -in the sitting-room. He found the -cook, looking much mystified.</p> -<p>“Where is Candace?” asked Max.</p> -<p>“Sure enough, where is Candace, and -Moses too? Not a sign of them can I find -this morning. It’s my belief they have run -off, and taken the cat with them; for I -tried to find him an hour ago to catch a -mouse that was in the pantry; not that -the lazy thing would catch it, for he -never would catch mice, the spoiled -little—”</p> -<p>“Now, now, cook, you shall not speak a -word against Necho,” declared Max.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_184">184</div> -<p>It certainly was very strange (to all -but Max), for from that day nothing was -heard of Candace, Moses, or Necho, until -one of Moses’ colored friends declared -that he had visited them in a neighboring -city, where they lived quietly as Mr. and -Mrs. Johnson. And he further declared -that he had stroked Necho’s back many -times during the visit.</p> -<p>But as the colored gentleman’s statements -were always to be taken with a grain -of salt, Max placed no faith in the story; -for he knew full well that Necho and his -attendants were in Egypt, where he was -indeed a prince.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_185">185</div> -<h2 id="c11">XI. -<br /><span class="small">WHERE THE RIVER HIDES ITS PEARLS.</span></h2> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p111.png" alt="" width="400" height="262" /> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_187">187</div> -<p>Just where the river bends on its -course stands a high point or headland. -It is covered with short, sweet -grass and white clover, and partly -shaded with trees. From its highest point -there is a beautiful view of the river, -which you may watch sparkling in the sun -or dreaming in the moonlight. To the -north the path of the river is almost -straight for a mile or more; to the south -the wooded hills on its farther side confront -you, for here it turns and for at least a -half mile flows to the west, before it turns -southward again.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_188">188</div> -<p>On this headland a company of friends -and neighbors were camping; and on the -highest point was built the camp fire. It -was the children’s daily task (or pleasure) -to collect sticks and bark to keep this -fire going from dusk until bedtime. -Around it the hammocks were swung, -and here the company assembled each -night.</p> -<p>But one night, when the moon was very -bright and sent its path of silver far across -the water, all were on the river, except -two children and one who loved them. -The children nestled close to their friend, -and listened to the soft voices calling or -singing across the water. The summer -breeze broke it into a thousand little ripples -of light.</p> -<p>“How the river shines to-night! it seems -full of pearls,” one child said, softly.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_189">189</div> -<p>The other one asked, “Are there pearls -in this river as there are in the Mississippi?”</p> -<p>“Oh, quantities of them; but the river -hides them safely,” answered their friend.</p> -<p>“Can you tell us where it hides them? -Please tell us,” they pleaded; and their -friend told softly the following legend:—</p> -<p class="tb">Years ago, before there were any white -men beside this river, there lived in a -village just around the bend an Indian -boy. He was not uncommonly handsome, -brave, or good, but very much the reverse; -and he spent all of his days and most of -his nights idling in his canoe on the -river. He did not fish or set traps or do -any of the work that the other boys did, -but allowed his father and mother to -furnish him with food and clothing. His -grandfather would shake his head and -tell him that some day he would displease -the spirit who dwelt in the river, -and that harm would befall him. But he -was wilful, and laughed at the mention of -the spirit. He did not believe there was -one; he had never seen it.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_190">190</div> -<p>One night when he had been far up the -river in his canoe, he came floating down -in the moonlight, just as that boat is -floating there. Do you see that tree that -stands out on that point by itself? Yes; -just there was once a sand-bar. The -moon shone on it, and the yellow sand -was like gold, as the boy neared it; he -idly gazed at it, for he was half asleep; but -his attention was suddenly attracted by a -wonderful sight. He lay down in the -canoe and let his eyes come just above -its rim, and this is what he saw as he -slowly drifted past.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_191">191</div> -<p>An immense mussel shell lay just on -the edge of the bar, half in and half out -of the water. It was wide open, and was -so large that the half of it formed a beautiful -seat or throne. The upper valve -curved over like a canopy, and seemed to -protect a beautiful girl who was reclining -in the hollow of the shell. Her face, a -soft bronze in color, stood out in relief -against the mother-of-pearl lining of her -throne. Her hair waved round her in shining -curves. Her hands were clasped -above her head. Her dress was of some -shining white material, soft and lustrous -as silk; she was gazing up into the moonlit -sky, and seemed lost in thought. But -it was not her beauty or her strange appearance -that attracted the boy; his eyes -had caught the shine of a wonderful belt -she wore around her waist. It seemed -to catch and hold the moonbeams and -the sparkle of the water. It was made of -many strings of what appeared to be the -most beautiful wampum the boy had ever -seen. (Wampum? Oh, you must ask -your mamma to tell you to-morrow what -it is; this is not an instructive tale, this is a -fairy story.) But it was not wampum; the -beads were pearls. The boy had never -seen or heard of pearls, so he naturally -decided that it was a belt of glorified wampum, -and his heart went out to it; he -longed exceedingly to possess it, for he -was covetous.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_192">192</div> -<p>He floated down past the bar, and left -the beautiful vision behind him; but all -night long he dreamed of the belt, and -vowed to himself that he would possess it, -if the girl ever returned; so he set his wits -to work and devised a plan. He determined -to capture her and demand the -belt for her ransom. He secured a stout -deerskin, and concealing it in his canoe, -he entered and paddled a long distance -up the river. He spent the day in making -out of the skin a strong noose, and practised -throwing it until he was perfect in -the art. Then, when night came and the -moon was rising, he drifted as before -down to the sand-bar. The beautiful girl -in the great shell was there, and around -her waist shone the pearls. Fortune -favored him to-night, for she was asleep. -He ventured near her, his feet making no -sound on the sands. When close enough -he sprang toward her, like a young panther -on his prey. She jumped to her feet with -a cry, and the noose fell over her head, -slipped down past her shoulders, and pinioned -her arms to her side. She tried to -break away from it, but it held her securely. -Turning, she saw her captor; her eyes -flashed.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_193">193</div> -<p>“Cruel wretch!” she cried. “Why do -you treat me thus? Have I not allowed -you the freedom of the waters, and because -I thought that you loved them, have I not -guarded you from many dangers? Do -you know who I am?”</p> -<p>The boy answered, “I do not know, nor -do I care. You must go with me to the -village; you shall be adopted into the -tribe.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_194">194</div> -<p>In vain she implored him to set her at -liberty; he would not listen. But pretending -finally to melt under her prayers -and tears, he said, “I will release you if -you will give me that belt of wampum -you wear around your waist.”</p> -<p>The girl looked at him sternly.</p> -<p>“Can I give away what is not mine? -These pearls belong to the river; and because -I am the Spirit of the Waters, I am -allowed to wear them. I will loan them -to you, but there are conditions. You -must promise that while you wear them -you will refrain from cruel or cowardly -deeds, and, because your heart is evil, you -must spend to-day (for day is breaking) in -the deep woods, fasting and alone, praying -to the Great Spirit for a heart pure enough -to wear these pearls. If when the moon -has waned and grown bright again, the -pearls are not dimmed and you have refrained -from evil, the belt may be given -to you. But I know that you will not -keep it; I shall have it soon again.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_195">195</div> -<div class="img" id="pic12"> -<img src="images/p112.png" alt="She started up in alarm." width="500" height="725" /> -<p class="caption">She started up in alarm.</p> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_197">197</div> -<p>So saying, after he had loosed her hands -a little, she unclasped her belt and held it -out to him.</p> -<p>He snatched it rudely, and said boastfully, -“What I get, I keep.”</p> -<p>Then he hastened to loose the thong, -for he saw that daylight was coming, and -he feared that some one would find him -there and compel him to return the belt.</p> -<p>The girl sprang into the shell; it closed, -and sank with her into the water, while the -boy, overjoyed, made off with his prize.</p> -<p>The pearls were very large, and seemed -to shed a soft light around him. He bound -the belt around his waist; it was too short, -but he lengthened it out with strings.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_198">198</div> -<p>He entered at once into the deep wood -to fast and pray to the Great Spirit, as he -had been told to do. But his mind was -so fixed upon the belt that he forgot to -ask for a heart pure enough to wear it. -When evening came, he entered the village. -It was the hour of rest after the -toils of the day, and men, women, and -children were in front of their tepees. -Very haughtily he strode past his neighbors. -Exclamations of wonder and delight, -and questions as to where he had -obtained the belt, assailed him. He answered -that he had “found” it, but would -not tell where.</p> -<p>His grandfather shook his head mysteriously; -he did not believe that he had -found it. “The River Spirit is weaving -her enchantments for the boy; I fear for -him greatly,” he said.</p> -<p>This made the boy very angry with the -old man, and he treated him rudely.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_199">199</div> -<p>Each day that he wore the belt he grew -more insolent and vain. He spent all -his time in admiring himself and the belt. -And each day the pearls grew dimmer. -He saw that they were fading, and he tried -to brighten them. He bathed them in the -river and polished them with care, but -they did not regain their lustre.</p> -<p>One night when the moon had waned -and come again, he was out in his canoe -on the river. He had asked a younger -boy to go with him, for he feared that, if -alone, the spirit would meet him. The -child asked him repeatedly where he had -found the belt; finally becoming enraged -at his questions, the boy raised his paddle -and struck him. He fell backward into -the water. The boy did not attempt to -help him, but turned his back upon him, -and paddled swiftly away.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_200">200</div> -<p>The Spirit of the River saw it all, and -hastening to the child, she bore him safe -to the shore. The boy hastened up the -river until he saw with alarm that he was -near the sand-bar where he had secured -the belt; and when he felt a hand steadily -drawing him to the bar, he was frantic -with fear. He resisted with all his might, -but the canoe kept steadily on. When it -reached the bar, he was thrown violently -out on to the sand, and the boat drifted -away bottom upward. He sprang to his -feet, and was confronted by the spirit; -but now she was no delicate girl, but a -woman, strong and terrible.</p> -<p>“Give me the pearls,” she said, “and -the river shall hide them henceforth from -the greed of mortals.” The boy sullenly -returned the belt; and, at a word from -the spirit, there came up through the -sand and from the river thousands of -mussels. Each shell was gaping wide, and -into each she dropped a pearl. When -all were gone, the shells closed with a -snap, and disappeared as quickly as they -had come.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_201">201</div> -<p>The spirit turned to the boy. “Since -you know the secret that the river would -keep, your lips must be always closed. -Stay by these waters forever, and search -in vain for the pearls.”</p> -<p>So saying, she changed him into a -sand-hill crane, and he may still be seen, -standing on the sand-bars, looking intently -into the water for the pearls.</p> -<p class="tb">“We have seen him,” cried the children. -“He was over on that sand-bar, on the -other side of the river, this afternoon.”</p> -<p>By and by the smallest child said, softly, -“I am sorry for that poor, naughty, sandhill -crane.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_203">203</div> -<h2 id="c12">XII. -<br /><span class="small">THE MIST LADY.</span></h2> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p113.png" alt="" width="400" height="318" /> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_205">205</div> -<p>There was once a little girl who -was not like other girls at all; -for instead of running and jumping -and dancing, she could only -walk a little way, and she had to have two -crutches to help her. All day long she -sat in her chair and kept quite busy reading, -or playing “just pretend;” for you -know when you play “pretend,” you can -change yourself to a fairy, or a bird, or an -enchanted princess, or anything you have -in mind; and then, of course, the time -passes swiftly. So the little girl’s days -passed pleasantly. But at night, after she -was in her bed, and the house was quiet, -and every one asleep, the pain would come, -and that was so dreadful that the tears -would follow. Now the little girl’s hands -were lame, and it was difficult to wipe -away the tears; so that she had to leave -them in her eyes, and sometimes because -of them she could not see the kind old -moon that shone down on her bed, or the -bright stars that danced and sparkled for -her.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_206">206</div> -<p>One night the little girl was very -sorrowful, for she had heard the doctor -telling her mother that she would never -be any better, and that she might live -many years before the kind death-angel -came for her.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_207">207</div> -<div class="img" id="pic13"> -<img src="images/p114.png" alt="“Open your eyes wide and look at me.”" width="756" height="500" /> -<p class="caption">“Open your eyes wide and look at me.”</p> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_209">209</div> -<p>And now the tears had entirely blotted -out the moonlight; everything was in a -blur. She was trying to brush them -away, when the sweetest, softest voice -said, “Do not brush them away, dear; -open your eyes wide and look at me.”</p> -<p>She did as the voice commanded, and -saw the loveliest, strangest lady that one -can imagine. She was so tall, so fair, -with such bright eyes, smiling lips, soft -waving hair; and she seemed made of -some material so fine and delicate, that -the little girl felt that, if she would try to -smooth her face or clasp her hand, she -would feel only substance light as air.</p> -<p>Her dress was a soft, floating, waving -material like the most delicate chiffon; it -waved and floated about her with every -motion. She bent down and kissed the -little girl’s forehead, and the kiss was like -a soft breath of damp air on her face. -The sweet voice spoke.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_210">210</div> -<p>“If you had wiped the tears away, you -could not have seen me, for I am one of -the children of the Mist. Come with me, -little Princess of tears; you shall be one -of us, and I will show you where we dwell.”</p> -<p>So the little girl took the Mist Lady’s -hand, and they passed through an open -window.</p> -<p>The little girl found herself floating -softly along through the moonlight beside -her companion. Her garments were like -the lady’s, of the softest, finest, misty -chiffon, and seemed to bear her up as -though she floated on a fleecy cloud.</p> -<p>The lady said: “Even tears are not in -vain, for these garments you wear are -woven of the tears you have shed. You -could not have gone with me without -them.”</p> -<p>The little girl laughed and said, “How -strange that I should ever be thankful for -the tears I have shed!”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_211">211</div> -<p>And the lady answered, “Some day, -when it is over, you will be thankful for -the pain also.”</p> -<p>But the little girl thought that would -be impossible.</p> -<p>So they floated happily along. They -stopped to breathe on some drooping -flowers that a careless child had neglected. -They crossed a great river, and presently -they came to a mighty cataract.</p> -<p>“Here is our home, and here are the -children of the Mist,” said the lady.</p> -<p>The little girl held her breath in astonishment, -and so would any other earth-child -at what she saw. For, whirling, floating, -dancing over the cataract, on the shore, -diving headlong down the mighty fall with -the water, floating up again from the abyss, -were myriads of beautiful forms. There -were large and small, smaller than the -little girl.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_212">212</div> -<p>The Mist Lady’s eyes sparkled; she held -out her hand; “Come, little Princess,” -she said, “let us join them.” But the little -girl drew back.</p> -<p>“Oh, I cannot; I am afraid. Do you -go, and I will watch you from this bank.”</p> -<p>“Well, then; but sit here where some of -us can be with you every moment, or your -garments will wax old and fall from you, -and how then will you reach your home?”</p> -<p>So the little girl sat close to the falls, -where the Mist children encircled her, -clasped her in their arms, kissed her face, -and made much of her. They sang for -her and told her wonderful stories of the -upper air, of cloud-land and its palaces.</p> -<p>The little girl loved the Mist children -dearly, for they were so dainty and graceful, -so kind and loving. And they in -return loved and pitied the little “Princess -of tears,” for they knew her story -well; they had listened in the night to her -sighs, had wept with her, had often lulled -her to sleep by tapping on the window -pane. So they were old friends of hers.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_213">213</div> -<p>By and by the Mist Lady came to her -more fair and radiant than ever.</p> -<p>“Come, little Princess, let us go; for -we must meet the dawn-angel near your -home.”</p> -<p>So the little girl waved a last farewell to -the Mist children, and contentedly placed -her hand in the hand of her guide; and -they floated on, around mountain peaks, -over fair valleys, and over the bosom of -a clear lake, where the moonlight was -sleeping.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_214">214</div> -<p>Presently the eastern sky grew rosy; -and flying toward them from its radiance, -came a great white angel bearing in his -arms golden shafts of light. The lady -and the little girl veiled their faces as he -passed them by. Then, hastening home, -the little girl found herself in bed just as -the sun’s first beams kissed her face. The -Mist Lady had whispered to her that she -would come again; so she sank into a -quiet, happy sleep, and her mother found -her smiling, when she came to help her -to dress.</p> -<p>Now the little girl and the doctor were -great friends; for although the doctor -was strong and well, and laughed a great -deal, he knew how to pity little ones who -were different from other children.</p> -<p>The little girl told him all her fancies -and dreams, when he had time to listen; -and the next time that he came, she told -him about the Mist Lady and her journey.</p> -<p>The doctor was greatly interested, and -said, “Do you know, little girl, I intend to -stay here all night, sometime; perhaps I -may see the Mist Lady too.” But the -little girl said, “Doctor, it will not be any -use for you to stay, you laugh too much; -you can see the Mist Lady only when your -eyes are full of tears.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_215">215</div> -<p>And the doctor said, “I really must cure -this bad habit of laughing.”</p> -<p>The little girl said, “I do not want you -changed the least tiny bit.”</p> -<p>So they were better friends than ever.</p> -<p>Not many nights after, the doctor stood -by his little friend. She was asleep, with -a happy smile on her face; for the time for -pain was all past, and she knew now -why it had been allowed. The doctor was -not laughing; he saw his little friend’s -face through tears; and, glancing from -her face to the foot of the little white bed, -he saw the Mist Lady kneeling, with her -face hidden in her hands.</p> -<p>And the little “Princess of tears” has -a new name now.</p> -<h2>Transcriber’s Notes</h2> -<ul><li>Copyright notice provided as in the original—this e-text is public domain in the country of publication.</li> -<li>Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and dialect unchanged.</li> -<li>In the text versions, delimited italicized text within _underscores_.</li></ul> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Stories of Enchantment, by Jane Pentzer Myers - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORIES OF ENCHANTMENT *** - -***** This file should be named 50931-h.htm or 50931-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/9/3/50931/ - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan, Rod Crawford -and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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6bf8b00..0000000 --- a/old/50931.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2925 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Stories of Enchantment, by Jane Pentzer Myers - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Stories of Enchantment - or, The Ghost Flower - -Author: Jane Pentzer Myers - -Illustrator: Harriet Roosevelt Richards - -Release Date: January 15, 2016 [EBook #50931] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORIES OF ENCHANTMENT *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan, Rod Crawford -and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - - STORIES - OF - ENCHANTMENT - - - BY - JANE PENTZER MYERS - - ILLUSTRATED BY - HARRIET ROOSEVELT RICHARDS - - CHICAGO - A. C. McCLURG & CO. - 1901 - - Copyright - By A. C. McClurg & Co. - A.D. 1901 - - - TO KATE WINIFRED. - -Just between the "Land o' Dreams" and broad daylight is a beautiful -world: where good wishes come true: where the poor and the lonely are -rich in castles and friends: and where sorrowful folk are happy. - -There you may hear the birds singing and children laughing, all day -long. The trees are full of blossoms and fruit. The sky is always blue, -the grass green and soft. - -Under the trees dwell the fairies, and against the blue sky is sometimes -seen the sheen of angels' wings. - -On the borders of this land the real and the unreal are so strangely -blended that children are puzzled to know where the boundary lies. - -Just across its borders blooms the little white ghost-flower. - -It is for you, little girl. - - J. P. M. - - - - - CONTENTS. - - - Page - I. The Ghost Flower, or the White Blackbird 11 - II. The Little Yellow Moccasins 31 - III. The Little Ghost who Laughed 45 - IV. Titania's Maid of Honor 71 - V. Bran, the Wolf Dog 89 - VI. The Corn Fairy 111 - VII. At the Wayside Cross 125 - VIII. In Quest of the Dark 133 - IX. The King will hunt To-day 149 - X. He was a Prince 161 - XI. Where the River hides its Pearls 187 - XII. The Mist Lady 205 - - - - - ILLUSTRATIONS. - - - Page - The pipe changed into a strange flower 21 - Little Bravo 35 - "Oh, you pretty dear" 55 - Mateel sank down on her knees and gazed around 75 - In a great carven chair sat a lady 95 - The little girl playfully clasped her knees 115 - Glimpses of the Wonderful City shall be given to her 129 - Soon he was in her arms 137 - "I think I am going to like you" 141 - "He gave me this keepsake for my mamma" 144 - In their palace by the water wait the king and queen 167 - She started up in alarm 195 - "Open your eyes wide and look at me" 207 - - - - - I. - THE GHOST FLOWER, OR THE WHITE BLACKBIRD. - - -There is a region of our own land, far to the westward, where great -mountains lift their serene heads into the eternal calm of the upper -air. Sunrise and sunset paint them with unearthly beauties; and night, -with its myriads of flashing stars or its splendid moon, shines down on -their white foreheads, and bids them dream on through the coming ages, -as they have done in the past. - -Among their barren valleys one sometimes lights upon a small oasis. A -little mountain stream, fed by the melting snows of the peaks, leaps and -sings and flashes to its grave in the desert sand. Its banks are fringed -with cottonwood trees, and the short grass and underbrush flourish in -their shade. - -Usually, some energetic American or Chinaman is ranching it there, and -claiming all the valley; but far away from the towns and the mines one -may sometimes come upon a band of Indians, living their own lives -separate and alone in their secluded valley. - -A generation ago, a fierce war raged between the whites and the Indians; -and during its progress a train of emigrants, passing near an Indian -village, was attacked by the warriors of the tribe. All the whites were -killed, except one little child, who crept away into the sagebrush, and, -worn out with fear and fatigue, dropped asleep. There the wife of the -chief medicine man of the tribe found her; and when the little one -opened her eyes, and, putting up a piteous lip, began to sob, the woman -gathered her into her arms with tender "No, no's" and soft guttural -cooings, that soothed and quieted the child. For the Great Spirit had -lately called her own baby "far over the terrible mountains" to the -spirit land. And this little one crept into the bereaved heart of the -Indian mother. - -She took the child to her husband, and received permission to keep her. -And so the little girl, with her lint-white hair and blue eyes, grew up -among the other children of the valley. Soon after the massacre of the -wagon train, the tribe withdrew from the vengeance of the white soldiers -to a fertile, wooded valley, hidden in the heart of the mountains. Here -little "Snow-flower," as she was named, lived happy with her foster -parents. Her Indian mother was very proud of her childish beauty, and -took excellent care of her. She bathed her often, in the clear water of -the little river that ran through the valley; for, contrary to the -popular belief, the Indians of the mountain are cleanly in their habits, -and bathe their persons and wash their garments frequently, if water is -plentiful. She braided her fair hair, and made for her pretty little -dresses of pink or red calico, bought at the trader's store at the -agency, many weary miles away. - -In the winter, she wore over her dress a warm fur coat reaching to the -ankles, with a hood at the back to draw over her head. This was made of -the skins of jack rabbits. Warm leggings and moccasins helped to keep -her warm, and she was usually very comfortable. - -Sometimes the supply of pine nuts would give out, the fish refuse to -bite, or the jack rabbits become scarce and shy. Then the only -alternative was to go to the hated agency. - -At such times little Snow-flower was hidden in some secure place and -warned to remain quiet; for her Indian mother was haunted by the fear of -separation from the child. She knew that inquiries had been set afloat -at the agency for a little one, said to have been saved from the -massacre, and her heart told her that the child's kindred would claim -her, sooner or later. So, for many years little Snow-flower never saw a -white person. - -When she asked her Indian father or mother why she was so different from -the other children, they told her The Great Spirit had made her so, and -she was content. - -"Perhaps it's because I am the great Medicine Chief's daughter," she -said to her father; and he gravely nodded. - -She was very fond of both of her foster parents; but her love for the -medicine man was mingled with awe. When she saw him dressed for some -religious dance or yearly festival, in his strange medicine dress, with -his face painted in grotesque and horrible pattern, she fled to her -mother and hid her face in her lap. She loved her mother devotedly, and -her love was returned. The woman was like all Indian mothers, very -gentle and kind to her little daughter. The little girl was never -punished, and was always spoken to in the soft, low voice peculiar to -Indian women. "Little daughter," "Little Starlight," "Little -Singing-bird," were the fond names bestowed on her. - -The years passed quietly by, until Snow-flower was ten years old, when, -one summer day, the medicine man came into the tepee looking very ill. -He threw himself down on the pallet on the floor and soon was -unconscious. He lingered so nine days, anxiously watched and cared for -by his wife and Snow-flower. On the tenth day he opened his eyes and -beckoned his wife to him. - -"I must go far over the terrible mountains, into the heart of the -sunset, into the spirit land. You will come soon; watch for the token I -will send you." - -Then, closing his eyes, he was quickly gone. And the tepee was very -desolate and lonely to the wife and little Snow-flower. - -All through the long days and the bright starlit nights the wife watched -for the token he would send her, until her knees grew weak, and her head -drooped, and she could not walk. Then little Snow-flower fed her, and -waited on her, and also watched for the token that was to be sent. One -day she crept into the hut and knelt by the Indian woman. - -"Mother," she whispered, "I have seen a strange sight: a flock of -blackbirds lit close to our home. I thought to snare some for your food; -but as I approached them, I saw that one of them was shaped like the -rest,--but, mother, he was pure white; and he lit on the ridgepole of -our home." - -Then the pale wife raised herself on her elbow, her eyes shining with -joy. - -"It is the spirit-bird, dear little one; it is the token. Go now, -quickly, up the dark ravine; follow to its source the spring that runs -past our door. I have never allowed you to go there, for a dark spirit -lives in that dread place; but now, do not fear; the spirit-bird will -protect you. Go into the deep wood that grows around the fountain head. -You will come to a fallen log. Watch closely; and come and tell me what -you see." - -So little Snow-flower, shaken with fear and grief,--for she knew that -her mother must soon leave her,--followed the little rill, up the dark -ravine, to its source. The white blackbird flitted ahead, and wherever -he rested, the sunlight broke through the thick leaves overhead, so that -she walked in light all the way. Presently she came in sight of the -fallen log, and her heart stood still with fear; for, sitting on the -log, wrapped in his blanket, and smoking a long-stemmed, strange-looking -pipe, was the medicine man, her foster father. As she came toward him, -he arose and fixed on her his bright eyes; and then he spoke in a soft -voice that seemed to come from a long distance. - -"Little pale-face daughter, take this pipe to my wife. It is a token -that you have seen me. Tell her I am lonely without her; that she must -be ready when the sun is setting to go with me, through the sunset -gates, into the spirit world. As for you, my daughter, your path lies -there," pointing toward the east; "follow it to your own nation and your -own kindred;" and, laying his pipe on the log, he was gone in an -instant. - -Little Snow-flower, almost overcome with fear, ran quickly to the log. -She picked up the pipe, which changed in her hands into a strange -flower; the leaves, the stem, and the blossoms were all white. It was -the Ghost flower, or Indian pipe. - -Hurrying back down the ravine, she ran with flying feet into the tepee. -The Indian woman snatched the flower from the child's hand and kissed -it, then listened anxiously to her story. - -"Yes, little one, I must go. I had hoped that you might go with me; but -the Great Spirit does not will it so. And before I go, you must leave -me; I must see you started on your journey." And then she told her of -her rescue, and of her parentage. - -"This was tied fast round your neck. I hid it, and told no one." She -showed the little girl the case of a gold locket, with a scrap of -closely written paper within. "Take this to the agency. The paper talks; -but do not fear, it is not bewitched. The agent will speak for it, and I -believe it will tell you where to find your kindred. Now hasten, dear -child; the sun will soon reach the cleft in the mountain, and then I -must go. I will see you again; my husband's power is great; he will let -me come to you whenever you find a flower like this--the Ghost flower." - -Then, with tears and sobs, they separated. And when the sun was setting, -a great flock of blackbirds flew straight into its splendor; and among -them were two white ones: the souls of the medicine chief and his wife. -And poor little Snow-flower had begun her long journey to the agency. -She left the valley secretly, crept away without bidding any one in the -tribe farewell, for her Indian mother feared that they might detain her. -The medicine chief's home stood apart from the rest of the village, and -was approached by the villagers with fear. When it was known that he was -dead, the tribe buried him and mourned for him. But the mother and the -daughter were unmolested in their grief. - -A few days after Snow-flower had left, a kind-hearted woman ventured -near. Great was her surprise to find the tepee empty; and it was -believed by all that the medicine man had come for his wife and -daughter, and had conveyed them to the spirit world. - -Little Snow-flower followed the path as far as she had gone in the old -days with her foster mother; but when she came to the cave where she had -been concealed, she was at a loss to know which way to go. She wandered -on, frightened and weary. The food she had brought with her was almost -gone. One night she lay down beside a strange-looking trail. There were -short logs laid across it, and on these were long slim logs or poles -made of iron. It was in a valley between two great mountains. She -wondered at it greatly. It was either a trail made by some wizard or -medicine man, or it was made by that strange tribe to which she -belonged, and of which she had heard for the first time that day, the -"pale-faces." - -But at least there was companionship in it, after the horrible -loneliness of the mountains. So she snuggled down near the trail, and -went to sleep. She was awakened by a terrible rumble and roar that shook -the earth around her. Something all fire and flashing eyes went -shrieking and hissing past her. She screamed with fear, and tried to -run, but her feet refused to carry her. The monster went a little way, -and then stopped. Some men sprang from its back and came toward her, -carrying a light. She saw that they were fair, like herself, and then -she fainted. - -The men came hurrying on. It was a special train, carrying the -superintendent of the road, and a friend. "Did you say the massacre was -just here?" said the gentleman. - -"Right about here--perhaps a few feet farther north." - -The gentleman sighed. "And has nothing been heard of the child?" - -"The Indians positively declare that she is living somewhere in the -mountains, and that she is well cared for, but refuse to tell anything -more." - -"Well, I must have the child, if she is to be found on-- Why, what is -this?" he exclaimed, as his foot struck against the soft little body of -Snow-flower. She shivered and moaned. - -"What in this world! a little white girl, dressed like a little Indian!" -cried the superintendent. - -"Let me see the child. She looks as my sister Mary did at that age. What -if this is her child, the little one I am searching for? Here, let me -carry her into the car; she is mine; I am sure of it," said the -gentleman. - -And so little Snow-flower awoke from her swoon to a new and wonderful -life. It almost seemed in later years, as she looked back to that time, -that she had entered another world; for she found love, riches, -education, all awaiting her. - -Once or twice since, in lonely walks, she has found the Ghost flower; -and always then appears the vague, misty outline of her Indian mother. - -A few days ago, her little son (for she is a woman and a mother now) -came into the house crying, "Mother, I saw a white blackbird. It was -with a great flock of black ones; it was just like them, only it was -white." - -She hurried out of the house hoping to find the spirit-bird; but it had -visited her, found her happy, and hastened back to the spirit land. - - - - - II. - THE LITTLE YELLOW MOCCASINS. - - -A clear river goes winding down, past green and shaded banks, through -the beautiful state of Iowa. It is named the Cedar, although the Oak, or -the Maple, or a dozen other names would be more appropriate, for the -Cedar is seldom found among the abundant trees that grow beside it. - -Years ago, the Indians dwelt on its banks. They led an idyllic life: the -men fished in the blue waters, or hunted and trapped in the woods; the -women planted the small clearings with corn. These corn-fields may still -be seen, covered with little hillocks resembling in size and shape those -seen in a prairie-dog village; the corn was planted in these mounds, -instead of in rows, as with us. - -Here the women worked and gossiped,--the babies in their cradles, -strapped to their mothers' backs, or propped up against the trunks of -trees, and staring with round black eyes at the new and strange scenes -around them. - -Among the women was one pretty young mother, who watched, as she worked, -her little son in his cradle. She talked or sang to him as she passed -him by. She named him "Little Bravo," "Little Hunter." She told him that -she was growing very old now; that he must step out of his cradle and -take care of her. Then she would laugh, showing her white teeth, and the -baby would wag his head from side to side, and laugh in sympathy, -revealing two cunning little teeth also. All the fond talk that a white -mother lavishes on her baby was told over by this Indian mother; for -mothers are alike in their love, whatever their color may be. - -The years passed merrily along, for happy hearts make the hardest life a -merry one. The Little Bravo was a large boy now. Ten summers and winters -had passed since he came to his proud father and mother. He had learned -to row a canoe on the river, to fish, to set traps, and with bow and -arrow to bring down the wild duck and the prairie chicken. Soon he would -be a man, a--young brave indeed,--and go with his father to hunt the -bison, or on the warpath. - -How many daydreams his mother enjoyed over his future! She saw him in -fancy a great chief, leading the tribe in war and in peace; she saw him -returning from war with many scalps of the enemy; saw him in the home -with wife and children, while his father and herself, grown old and -gray, sat in the warmest corner of the tepee and told his children -stories of their father's brave deeds. - -As she dreamed her daydreams, she busily worked on the fine clothing -with which she adorned him and his father; for it was her delight that -they outshone the rest of the men of the tribe in the splendor of their -raiment,--hunting shirts and leggings of the finest tanned skins, -adorned with fringes and gorgeous with crude embroidery, and moccasins -of the yellow buckskin, trimmed with beads and porcupine quills. - -The boy was a noble little fellow; brave, warm-hearted, and merry. But -the Great Spirit saw that the doating love of father and mother was -ruining the gift He had placed in their hands. - -One summer night the heat hung heavy over the land. It seemed an effort -to breathe. Black clouds hung sullen in the sky, and in the west the -lightning was flashing and the thunder was rumbling. "There will be much -wind and rain to-night. Where is our son?" said the father. - -"Down on the river's bank asleep," answered his mother. "I sat long -beside him, and brushed away the stinging insects that annoyed him. He -has taken off his moccasins, the heat is so great, and his little feet -are bare. He is very beautiful as he sleeps. I will lift him without -waking him, and bear him into the storm cave." - -She hastened quickly down to the river, for the storm was rapidly -approaching. Just as her hands reached down to clasp her boy, there came -a vivid flash of lightning, and two strong hands (the hands of the -spirit who lives in the water) reached up, and grasping the boy firmly, -drew him down under the water. - -Where, but a moment before, the rosy, dreaming boy was lying, was only -the print of his body in the grass, and the two little yellow moccasins, -shining like gold. - -The mother gave a scream; the father came bounding to the spot; together -they sprang into the water, and dived again and again, striving to find -their son. The storm broke over the river in great fury, tearing off -great limbs of trees, and dashing their tepee to the ground; but neither -knew that it stormed. Finally, half dead, and heart-broken, they sought -the bank. The mother sat down and gathered the little moccasins to her -heart. "My son, my son! O spirit of the river, give him back to us!" she -moaned. - -The father arose and straightened himself, and, looking into the dark -sky, he said: "It is the will of the Great Spirit. He gave him to us. He -has taken him away again." Turning, he walked away into the forest. - -But the mother sat there beside the river many days, moaning, "My son, -my son." No food passed her lips, no sleep came to her eyes; and always -she kissed and clasped to her heart the little moccasins. - -One night, when the stars were flashing in splendor, she raised her eyes -to the sky, and beheld that pathway made of star-dust, that leads to the -spirit land. And while she gazed, longing to follow it, she felt the -pressure of a small hand on her shoulder. She turned, to meet the -loving, smiling gaze of her son. - -"O Great Spirit, I thank thee! The dead is alive again! O my son, I -grieved for thee! Why didst thou stay away so long?" - -And the boy said, "Come, dear mother; we are to follow yonder path -to-night," pointing upward. "I have come for thee, because thy weeping -grieves the happy ones." - -Then gladly the mother placed her hand in that small clasp; but first -she said: "Stay, dear child; here are thy moccasins. Thou wilt need -them; the way may be rough." - -The boy, laughing, held up to her gaze one of his feet, on which flashed -and glowed a moccasin of shining yellow, like the color of a star, and -he said, "Lay down the moccasins, dear, and thou shalt see how a -mother's love shall be remembered." - -She placed them on the ground, and at once a plant sprang up beneath -them. It grew rapidly, and on its highest branches the moccasins were -fastened. They shrank in size, and changed into flowers, keeping, -however, their original shape and color. And the boy said, "These -flowers shall bloom on forever beside this shining river; long after the -red man is gone, they shall bloom." - -Then, wondering and happy, the mother followed her son along the -star-strewn path to the spirit land; and not many moons later, the -father, from the midst of battle, went to them. - -Long ago, the Indians left the banks of the beautiful river, but the -yellow flowers bloom on beside its clear waters; and the white children -call them the "Orchid," or "Lady's Slipper," or give them their real -name, the "Indian Moccasins." - - - - - III. - THE LITTLE GHOST WHO LAUGHED. - - -Dolores sat beside Aunt Polly, in the door of the cabin. The setting sun -shone on her yellow curls, changing her into a veritable "Goldilocks," -peeped into her blue eyes, until she was obliged to shut them. It shone -on Aunt Polly's black face, causing it to glisten like black satin, and -on her clean calico dress and white apron; for this was Sunday evening, -and she was resting from her labors. - -Across the fields, its light was reflected from the roof and chimneys of -"The House," as Aunt Polly called it; for there she had lived as a slave -before the war, and to her it was the only house of importance in the -neighborhood. Dolores watched the sun climb from the roof and chimneys -to the gilded points of the lightning-rods, turning them to flashing -spear points. Then it was gone; and she breathed a sigh. - -Aunt Polly heard it. "What's the mattah, honey girl?" - -"I'm lonesome, Aunt Polly; won't you tell me 'bout the little ghost girl -up at the house?" - -"Now, sugah, I have to be away from home all day to-morrow, and you'll -be here alone; that story will make you feel skeery." - -"I won't be afraid. Besides, I'll go to school, maybe." - -"Bless yo heart now, will you? Well, I'll tell you then, 'cause yo goin' -to be so good. Well, honey, when I was a young girl, I lived up at The -House; that was befo' the wah. I was one of the house servants, sort of -waitin' maid, and table maid, too. Well, one stormy night, I was in the -dinin'-room, settin' the dinnah table. The rain and sleet was bangin' -aginst the windows, and it was growin' mighty dark. I thought I'd go out -and shut the shuttahs; I thought I'd run out the front doah, and close -the pahlor shuttahs too. The lamp wasn't lit in the hall yet, and as I -went through, it seemed to me I saw somethin' white curled up on the -lower stair. I opened the front doah so that I could see bettah what it -was, and then I turned and went to it, and there, cuddled all up in a -heap, was a strange little girl. She had a little peaked white face and -great blue eyes, and her hair was about the coloh of you-all's. She had -on a little white dress, and had somethin' in her hands--looked like a -man's cap, and it was all torn and bloody; and there was blood on her -dress. - -"'My land, honey, whar you come from?' I says, and she huddled down -closer than ever, and began to cry just like her heart was most broke. I -stooped down to pick her up in my ahms"--Aunt Polly's voice sank to a -whisper--"and--she--wasn't--there. I rubbed my eyes and looked agin, -then I run to the doah and looked out; but they wasn't nobody about. -Then I got so skeered I banged the doah shut and run whoopin' and -screamin' to the kitchen. Aunt Susan, the cook, grab me by the ahm. -'Shut yo haid, girl, and tell me wha's de mattah,' she said. So I done -told her all about it, and she just dropped all in a heap and she say: -'O my Lawd, O my deah Lawd, the judgment am a comin' agin! Tell me, gal, -was dat baby laughin' or cryin'?' and I say, 'Cryin';' and she say, -'Ooh, my poo' mistess;' and I said, 'Oh, Aunt Susan, what is it?' She -say: 'Gal, you done see a ghost. Dat's no baptized baby; dat's a poo' -child dat was muhdard yeahs and yeahs ago by some wicked limb of dis -fambly, fo' to get its money. Whenever dat child comes here a weepin' -and a moanin', dat's de sign of a death; if it comes a laughin', den it -brings good luck to we-alls.' - -"Well, I was that skeered to think I'd done seen a ghost, that I shuck -all over, and couldn't wait on the table. Well, honey, I kep' a waitin' -for a death or somefin as bad; and 'bout a week later, my mastah's -oldest boy was out huntin', and the gun went off too soon, and blowed -the top of his haid plum off. They brought his torn and bloody cap home. -I'd--seen--it--before. - -"Aftah that, I was always watchin' for that ghost-child, but I nevah -seen her no more. But she came after that, fo' my old mastah died; and -there was othah troubles. Finally, aftah the wah, my old mistress moved -to the city with young Mistah Tom, and left the house in the care of the -overseeah of the plantation. Once a yeah Mistah Tom comes down and stays -a week or so, lookin' aftah things. He used to bring a lot of company -with him, but since ole Miss died, he's sobered down; don't seem to cah -fo' company no more. - -"And now, sugah, you come go to baid, so you can get up early, and go to -school." - -"Aunt Polly, tell me first, do please tell me, where did you get me?" - -Aunt Polly looked at her doubtfully. - -"I dunno as you need to know. But yo ma was a lady, and yo pa a -gentleman. You come of a good stock. Sometime I'll tell you, but not -now; so you go to sleep." - -The next morning Aunt Polly was up and away early. She left a dainty -breakfast spread out for Dolores, and a little tin pail packed with a -lunch for her school dinner. Dolores wakened later and lay debating the -question of school. It is needless to say that Aunt Polly, with her lax -government and her fondness for the child, was spoiling her completely. -Dolores was a law unto herself, and came and went as she pleased. She -was looked down upon by the girls at school, because she lived with Aunt -Polly. She did not tell this to her, for she knew she would resent it -bitterly. So she avoided them as much as possible, and many hours when -Aunt Polly supposed that she was at school, she was wandering in the -woods and fields. - -She thought of her half promise given the night before in exchange for -the ghost story, and resolved that she would go. - -"My mother was a lady, and my father a gentleman; then why need I care -for those white trash? Aunt Polly is better than they are. I reckon I'd -better go. And I'll go past the house, and peek in at the hall where -Aunt Polly saw the ghost." - -So she hurriedly put away her breakfast dishes, tidied up her room, -locked the door, hid the key, and started on her way to school. She -crossed the field and came to the old house by a path through a grove of -old trees. This side of the house was never used; the shutters were -closed; and the trees grew so close to the house that their great -branches scraped against the walls, causing a creaking, groaning noise -when the wind blew, that had frightened the timid colored people away -from the neighborhood. - -Dolores put down her pail and books. She sat down a moment to rest in -the shade, for the sun was hot. That resting-spell was the undoing of -her good resolutions; for, glancing above her, she discovered a squirrel -watching her, who began to chatter, as soon as he knew that she had seen -him. - -"Oh, you pretty dear, come down and I'll feed you," she said; and then -she thought, "I wonder if he has a nest up there; I'm going to find -out." And soon she was among the lower branches of the tree, steadily -working her way to the top. - -The squirrel turned with a jerk and a squeak, and disappeared through an -open window that the branches had concealed from below. Dolores, -following, found that one shutter was gone, and that the wind, during -some storm, had forced in the sash, while a limb had grown in through -the window. She pushed her way in past the limb, in spite of the -squirrel's remonstrance, and found herself in a large attic, which -extended over the entire unused wing of the house. The squirrel -scampered up the side of the window-casing, and sat scolding her from -above. - -The attic was filled with a rich treasure-trove for Dolores. There were -old spinning-wheels, broken chairs, an empty cradle, a great old -four-posted bed, and a number of trunks and boxes to rummage in. That -was as far as she could see in the gloom, but no doubt beyond her range -of vision were more delights. What a lovely place in which to play! The -cradle for her dolls, an old clock to take to pieces, and dozens of old -garments to dress up in. Several wonderfully queer old bonnets hung -against the wall. She put on one (after shaking off the layer of dust -with which it was coated), and glanced in a broken mirror to see the -effect. Her merry laugh echoed through the attic as she beheld her face -framed by the bonnet. And then she heard a sharp exclamation from the -room beneath her, the scurrying of feet, and the slamming of a door. - -Crouching down behind the cradle, she waited developments; but no one -came; so in a little while she grew bold again. - -"I think I won't go to school after all. I reckon it's too late, anyway; -I'll stay here to-day. But first, I must go back and get my dinner-pail -and books. I can study up here just as well as at school." - -And soon Dolores, watched by the protesting squirrel, had slid down the -tree, secured her books and dinner-pail in her apron, and was back -again. And then began her delightful, if naughty, day. She wound up the -clock, polished up the broken mirror, pulled the lighter articles of -furniture here and there, tried the spinning-wheel, and finally settled -down to the delightful task of exploring the boxes and chests. - -In the meantime, down below, in the kitchen of the old house, an excited -group of colored people were talking. Aunt Polly was the centre of the -group, and was relating, for the benefit of a new comer, her experience. - -"I tell you, I done heerd that ghost-child agin. No, I didn't see it, -but I heerd it. I went ovah to the noth wing to put away that ar seed, -as Mistah Jones told me to do, and while I was in that dark, lonesome -bedroom above the pahlor, I heerd a child laugh, just as cleah and sweet -as a bird; it sounded just right beside me. Oh, I was so skeered, I run -and banged the doah after me. You don't ketch this child goin' in that -pawt of the house no moah." - -"Aunt Polly," asked one breathless listener, "wasn't that the room whar -the murdah was committed?" - -"Yas, em; yes indeedy; the poor child was strangled in its sleep." - -Just then the voice of Mr. Jones was heard. "Here, hurry up in there; -got too much to do to stand here gabbling. You know Mister Tom comes -to-night; he wants this place to be shining." Each one hurried off to -her work. Aunt Polly, with a toss of her head and a sniff, proceeded -leisurely to hang out the white curtains and bed-linen she was doing up -against the arrival of her beloved Mistah Tom. - -Dolores ate her dinner when she became hungry, gave some of it to the -squirrel, and played on until the shadows in the attic indicated that -evening was coming. Then she scrambled down and ran for home. She had -time to brush the dust from her clothes, wash her face and hands, and -lie down on the bed and fall asleep before Aunt Polly returned. By the -time supper was ready and Dolores awakened, Aunt Polly had forgotten to -ask about the school, in her eagerness to tell the important news that -Mistah Tom was coming, and that she had heard the little ghost-girl's -laugh. And in a little while Dolores again had forgotten everything in -the dreamless sleep which comes to tired children whether they are good -or bad. - -She awoke in the morning to find Aunt Polly already gone. Not long -after, the little truant followed and, climbing her sylvan stairway, was -soon in the delightful attic. She had explored all but one chest, that -was pushed under the eaves. The other chests had yielded up a rich -treasure, but she was curious to know what they all contained before she -enjoyed the contents. So the little box was pushed close to the window, -for it was growing dark in the attic. Dolores could hear the rumble of -thunder, and the rain was beginning to patter on the shingles; she was -not the least afraid of a storm, and proceeded leisurely with her task. -The little chest was locked, but the key hung obligingly tied to one of -the handles by a string. She unlocked it, and raised the lid. Who can -say what loving, breaking heart looked last into that little box? For, -carefully folded away, with dead roses in each dainty garment, was a -little girl's wardrobe, complete,--the finest linen undergarments, -trimmed with delicate laces, little white silk clocked stockings, little -heelless slippers of blue and red kid, all faded and spotted with age -and mould; the loveliest little lace-trimmed dresses with short waists, -puffed sleeves, and long skirts. Dolores hesitated a moment before -examining them. On top of them was placed a note in a woman's hand. She -laid it aside and did not read it, until she had finished the -examination. She opened it at last, and read, "This is the wardrobe of -my dear little dead daughter Dolores." - -She closed the lid down gently, sprang up, and went to the window. "I -must go home; I don't like this old attic. I've been a wicked girl to -come here. But how did that little dead girl come to have my name?" - -She started to climb through the window, and saw that it was raining -very hard; a steady downpour that promised to last all day. She returned -to the chest, laid the note carefully aside, and again lifted out and -unfolded each garment. How beautiful they were! Time had given them the -delicate, mellow tint of old ivory. Dolores dearly enjoyed pretty -clothes, and had possessed but few in her short life. She was charmed by -their dainty quaintness. - -"They look like they'd just fit me--I'm going to try on a suit--the lady -would not care--I'll be very careful of them." - -So on went the pretty underclothing, the white silk stockings, and -little heelless slippers. Then over her head she slipped a little white -dress, hemstitched and hand embroidered. Her hair, which Aunt Polly kept -tightly braided, was loosened in soft waves around her face and neck. -The broken mirror revealed a little maid of the beginning of the -nineteenth century; such a charming little maid, that Dolores was -delighted with the vision. - -"My, but she's sweet; Little Dolores, do you like coming back to life?" - -And then her busy brain recalled the story of the little ghost-girl. "I -have a great mind to go downstairs. If any one sees me, I can run back." -She looked questioningly at the little figure in the glass. "Dolores, -shall I go? You tell me, for I am you to-day." The little shadow nodded. -"Very well, then, I will." - -She went to a door she had noticed, tried it, found it unlocked, and -ventured out. - -A flight of stairs led down into a narrow corridor, flanked on each side -by closed doors, and this led into the main hall. She stole shyly out -into this, and proceeded toward the great stairway; but to reach it, she -had to pass an open door. Some one was moving leisurely about in the -room. She peeped in, and saw a young colored man unpacking his master's -clothes. He had carefully arranged the toilet articles on the -dressing-case, and was trying one of the silver-backed brushes on his -curly locks, with an unlit cigar between his teeth, evidently extracted -from a full box on the dressing-case. - -Dolores swung the door slowly open, and the man, seeing its reflection -in the mirror, turned and confronted her, in her quaint dress, standing -in the soft gloom of the hall. She was pointing a threatening finger at -the stolen cigar, frowning and biting her lips to keep from laughing, as -she saw the horrified look on his face. Evidently, he had heard of the -little ghost; the cigar fell from his lips, and his knees knocked -together: he was too frightened to speak. - -When Dolores could control her face no longer she turned, and ran back -to the attic. The colored man fled to the kitchen, declaring that he had -seen the ghost; and that if Mass Tom didn't go back to the city, he -would, for he wasn't goin' to stay in no old house full of ghosts. - -Aunt Polly met her Mr. Tom, on his return from hunting, at the door, and -told him the marvellous tale. - -"Wait till I change my clothes, Aunt Polly, and then come to the little -library, if there's a fire there, for I am chilly; I'll hear all about -it then;" and he hurried upstairs. - -In the meantime, naughty Dolores had tired of the attic, and, having -enjoyed her first adventure, had sallied forth to meet others. Not -encountering any one, she ventured down the wide stairs, peeped into -numerous rooms, and opening a door into a very cosy one, small and snug, -with a fire burning on the hearth, she drew a big cushioned chair in -front of it, sat down to watch it, and fell asleep. About an hour later, -Aunt Polly was met in the hall by Mister Tom, who looked very much -surprised. - -"Come into the library, quick, Auntie; I've found the little ghost," he -whispered. Aunt Polly followed, her knees trembling beneath her. Seeing -the little figure in the chair, she started for the door, but thought -better of it, and ventured nearer. Getting a good look at the ghost, she -saw it was Dolores, and sank limply down by her on her knees. - -"Well, well, well, I declare for it, it's the hand of the Lord," she -whispered. - -"Who is she, Aunt Polly, and where'd she come from?" - -"She belongs to this fambly, Mistah Tom, and I'll tell you by and by -whar she come from; but whar she got them clothes, or how she got in -here, is more than I can tell you." - -Just then Dolores stirred in her sleep, opened her eyes, and seeing them -watching her, jumped to her feet. - -"Is this Mr. Tom? I am the little ghost-girl, and I bring you good -fortune;" and she looked up into his face and laughed. - -Aunt Polly grunted, "You need a good lambastin' fo' skeerin' me so," she -said wrathfully. - -Not long after, Dolores and Aunt Polly went to live with Mr. Tom. A -wrong was righted, and the little ghost-girl walked no more. - - - - - IV. - TITANIA'S MAID OF HONOR. - - -"Mammy, I wish dis yer rabbit could talk to me; 'pears like he wanted to -tell me somefin'." - -"Well, Mateel, yo take him in yo arms and lay down on yo baid, and I's a -goin' to conjur' dat rabbit so he kin talk to yo-alls." - -The little girl took her pet in her arms and lay down, holding the soft -furry ball close to her ear. The old mammy, whose duty it was to take -care of the little darkies on the plantation while their mothers were at -work in the field or the house, sat down by the child, and slowly, -soothingly, passed her hand over the little dark head; presently the -large eyes closed, and half awake, half asleep, Mateel heard her say,-- - -"Now, Mistah Rabbit, tell Mateel yo news." - -And to her intense surprise, the rabbit, slipping from her arms, sat -back on his haunches, and, regarding her intently, commenced:-- - -"Mateel, have you ever heard of the fairies? And do you know where they -live?" - -"No, Mistah Rabbit. What is they for, and what do they look like?" - -"Oh, I haven't time to tell you; I'm due in Fairyland now. Do you want -to go with me? Because if you do, you must come at once." - -And the rabbit began to hop impatiently toward the door. - -Mateel joyfully slipped from her bed and followed him out of the house. -The rabbit hopped ahead until they reached the thick shade of the woods -that grew close to the little cabin. Here he paused, and, turning to -Mateel, said briefly,-- - -"Give me your hand." - -Mateel stooped down and seized his paw, when, to her surprise, she felt -herself grow smaller, or the world larger; the trees seemed as tall as -the clouds; the grass and leaves that grew among them reached far above -her head. - -The rabbit now remarked,-- - -"We must go through a bit of rough country just here, so perhaps you had -better hold tight to one of my ears." - -Mateel, in some alarm, grasped the friendly ear, and felt herself lifted -along in tremendous jumps and leaps, over great gnarled roots, over -rocks and briers, until her strength and patience were all but -exhausted. Finally, they dived down what seemed the bed of a dead -streamlet, came to a deep pool of water, which the rabbit took at one -flying leap with Mateel clasped in his forepaws, and they found -themselves in a wondrous world. - -It was Fairyland. Where is it? and how shall we find it? Ah, that is the -mystery; but of this you may be sure,--wherever children are, close to -their homes lies Fairyland; and if only the small wild things of the -wood could talk to you, perhaps you might visit it, as Mateel did. - -She found herself in a court or pleasance, beautifully carpeted with the -rarest moss. The richest, softest shades of brown, of fawn color, of old -rose, and of tenderest green, mingled and blended in its coloring. -Mateel sank down on her knees and gazed around. A soft green tint was -over everything. It came through the leaves that closely roofed it over. -These were supported by straight trunks, that arose to a great height, -where they separated into two stems; and each stem bore a leaf that -overlapped its neighbor; at the point where the stems separated, an -immense creamy white blossom with a golden centre hung down like a bell. - -"Why, they are May apple blossoms," cried Mateel, clapping her hands in -ecstasy, "Oh, how lovely! how lovely! May apple plants as large as -trees." - -Not a ray of sunlight filtered through the large leaves; a delicious -sense of peace pervaded the perfumed twilight, and Mateel, who was -always tired lately, felt that she could rest here, and gave a happy -sigh. - -And while she rested and waited for something lovely to happen, she -heard the rain falling on the leaves of trees somewhere at a great -distance above her. - -"It's raining, Mateel, but you needn't worry; the rain never reaches -here," said the rabbit. - -"I am not worrying," said Mateel, contentedly. - -"The rain is almost over, the sun is setting clear. It will be starlight -soon, and then will come the fairies. But now I must leave you; try to -sleep and rest, and when the fairy queen comes, I shall be in her train, -and will present you." - -So Mateel contentedly sank back into the soft moss, and let her tired -little body rest, while the rain played her a soothing lullaby. The soft -light grew more dim, and a sweet sleep came to her eyes. - -When she awoke it was growing very dark in the fairies' court. Mateel -sat straight up and looked about her. From far distant depths of the -wood tiny men were coming, bearing little lamps, which Mateel saw were -fireflies and glowworms; these they placed in the cups of the great -flowers, and swung in festoons between the trunks of the fairy trees. -The little men disappeared, and she was again alone; but now the court -was flooded with light soft and radiant, just the kind of light in which -fairies look their best. - -And while she sat enfolded in this soft light, from a distance came the -sweetest music that mortal ear ever listened to. Indeed, but few mortals -have heard its exquisite cadence. There was one man, who lived long ago, -when people knew that there were fairies and shuddered at real ghosts -and witches, who not only heard the fairy music, but heard and -remembered their songs, and has written them down in a beautiful poem, -and named it "A Midsummer Night's Dream." So Mateel sat and listened, -while the music grew clearer and louder; and presently a wonderful -procession came into view. First came the musicians; and will you -believe it?--they were crickets and cicadas. But they were playing in -Fairyland, for the king and queen of the fairies; and the music they -give to fairies is different from that which they give to mortals. Close -after the musicians marched a regiment of fairy guards to their -majesties; and then came grandly dressed noblemen, stepping backward and -bowing at each step; and then, under a canopy of richest velvet made -from pansy blossoms, came Oberon and Titania! The queen was all in -white; her dress of lily petals was trimmed with dewdrops; back of her -shoulders two gauzy white wings shimmered and glowed with each graceful -motion; on her dainty head sparkled a crown of gleaming points of light; -her arms were bare, and in her hand she carried a shining wand. - -King Oberon was in blue armor that shone like sapphires with every -motion; it was made from the shells of blue beetles. After them came a -multitude of fairies; pretty ladies of the court in brilliant -flower-dresses, with dainty wings at their shoulders. They reminded -Mateel of a great flock of butterflies. The fairy men were, like the -king, in armor. - -Mateel eagerly looked for the rabbit, and saw him walking with a group -of wise-looking fairies, who were undoubtedly learned judges and -philosophers. - -The bright procession marched once around the court, and then the queen -and king seated themselves on a green bank spread with violets; a -shining little herald announced that the fairy revels would begin. - -But waving his hand, the king said gravely, "We will first hear the -arguments, and perhaps the witnesses, in the case of the accused maid, -once lady-in-waiting to our gracious queen." - -Here the queen put a lovely cobweb handkerchief to her eyes, and said:-- - -"They may bring all the evidence they want to, but I know that she is -innocent; I am sure that Katie didn't;" and she stamped her little foot. - -Then the king said soothingly, "Well, well, dear, don't be too positive; -perhaps Katie did." - -The queen would have answered, but just then the rabbit rose and bowed, -and the king, who seemed slightly nervous, cried,-- - -"Our wise and learned friend the rabbit may speak." - -And the rabbit, bowing again, made an eloquent speech, in which he said -that although the evidence was very strong for and against the -defendant, yet he would beg a postponement of a decision until the -learned counsel had found the answer to an unimportant question, which -was, What did Katie do? - -The king answered that perhaps it might be as well; for although -convinced in his own mind that Katie did, he was anxious to allow her -every chance to re-establish her good character. - -The queen declared that there was no use in having the trial at all, as, -whatever it was she was accused of, Katie didn't, didn't, didn't; and -Titania was beginning to look vexed, when the rabbit, bowing again, -asked if the queen had chosen any one to fill Katie's place during her -(he hoped) temporary absence. - -The queen had not, for she said,-- - -"Katie is a changeling, and where may I find another mortal?" - -The rabbit, bowing low with his paw on his heart, asked permission to -tell Titania a story, and the queen sighed, and answered,-- - -"Yes, if it's not very long." - -So the rabbit began:-- - -"There was once a boy, a mortal, who was out hunting. He had gone deep -into the woods; night was coming fast; like all boys, he had a fear of -the dark and lonely woods. He was walking very fast, and whistling (as -mortals do to keep up their courage), when he heard a child crying; he -listened, and then, thinking of wild animals, hurried on faster than -ever. But the crying grew louder, and presently, right in his path under -a huge linden tree, he found a little child, just able to walk alone, -and to talk a little. It was unlike any child he had ever seen: brown -hair, brown eyes, and brown skin. It was dressed in some strange silky -material, and round its neck was a necklace of the claws of some wild -animal. - -"The boy picked the little one up and carried it home. It was handed -over to the old colored woman who has charge of the little colored -children on the plantation. The boy claimed the child as his slave, and -named her Matilde, which usage has changed to Mateel. - -"She has lived, but not thrived, on the coarse fare and rough usage -accorded the other little ones. She was petted and noticed by the young -master for a day or two, then forgotten for many more. As the years pass -she will have great beauty. She has never had a friend but her young -master. - -"Your Majesty is generous and kind; would not the little maid take -Katie's place?" - -Then the queen, springing to her feet, exclaimed:-- - -"No, she cannot take Katie's place; no one can do that; but she shall -have her own place in my train, close at my right hand. Where is the -child; have you brought her to Fairyland?" And the rabbit said, "I have -brought her, gracious queen." - -So Mateel was brought into the presence of the king and queen and their -court, and the queen, touching her with her shining wand, changed her -into a bonny brown fairy, with shining brown eyes, and a beautiful dress -made of petals of the red rose; for she was among the maids of honor -most dearly loved by Titania. But the question of Katie's guilt or -innocence is still unsettled; for on summer nights you will hear the -fairy lawyers still declaring that "Katie did" and "Katie didn't." - - - - - V. - BRAN, THE WOLF DOG. - - -On a high cliff overlooking the ocean, on the western coast of Ireland, -stand the ruins of an old castle. The short grass grows on the floor of -the great hall, and the wind sighs and howls through its broken walls, -with a sound half human, half animal. - -The peasants for generations have named it "The Wolf's Castle." Even -long years ago, when it was tenanted by kindly folk and was running over -with life and happiness, it had already earned its grim name. - -Max had been out hunting. He had spent the day in the woods and fields, -and now as night fell, dark and lowering, he hastened his steps. The -first scattering drops of rain struck his face, and the wind was rising. -It moaned and howled like the distant cry of a wolf; it made Max feel -strangely nervous and frightened. "Frightened!"--he laughed at the -thought. "A boy of twelve frightened by the wind!" - -And yet, listen! the patter of the rain (coming faster now) sounds on -the leaves like the stealthy tread of some animal. - -"If it is a wolf, it is the ghost of one; for there are no wolves in -this country now," thought Max. "How like a sigh from human lips the -wind sounds!" - -"Home at last, I am thankful to say;" and Max ran swiftly round to the -back door. As he closed it, the wind gave a long-drawn wail, and he -almost fancied a hand strove to draw him back into the darkness. - -"I think I need my supper," thought he. "Fasting makes a fellow -light-headed." - -Entering the kitchen with exultant heart but studied indifference, he -threw his game down on the table before the admiring cook, and then -hastened to change his dress. Soon, over a good supper, he had forgotten -the uncanny night outside, though the wind still howled and the rain -beat against the window. - -After supper Max went into the library. How cosy and comfortable it was, -with a fire in the grate, an easy-chair drawn in front of it, and the -shadows dancing over books and pictures! - -"I'll sit here in front of the fire and rest," thought he. He sat there -mentally reviewing the day's sport. "I need a good dog," he said. "I -must have one. Why, what is that?" For there, lying in front of the -fire, basking in the heat, was an immense dog, with shaggy coat and -pointed ears. Max called to him:-- - -"Here, old fellow; here, Bran,--why, he knows his name. How did I come -to know it, I wonder!" For at the first call, the dog had raised his -head and beat his great tail upon the floor. At the mention of his name -he sprang to his feet, and came crouching and trembling with joy to lick -the hands and shoes of the lad. - -"What is it then, good dog? Tell me your story, for I'm sure you have -one to tell," coaxed Max. - -Did he tell it, or did Max dream? For as the dog rested his head on the -boy's knee and looked with liquid, loving eyes into his face, Max -glanced round the room and saw a strange transformation: the walls -widened, the ceiling rose to a greater height, and was crossed by great -black beams. On the walls hung shields, spears, great swords, and -numerous other articles of war and of the chase. - -The polished grate had grown into an immense fireplace, and the floor -was covered with what Max supposed were rushes. But the people in the -room interested him most of all. On the opposite side of the fireplace, -in a great carven chair, sat a lady, young and very lovely,--her dress -some rich dark green material clasped at the throat and waist by heavy -golden clasps, her bare arms heavy with gold armlets, her long black -hair falling in shining waves around her, and her eyes,--the sea was in -them,--gray or dark blue, and in moments of anger flashing greenish -yellow like the eyes of some animal. - -She sat with her elbow on the arm of her chair, her head resting on her -hand, looking into the fire and listening to the music of an ancient -harper, who sat in the background, softly striking the chords of his -harp. - -The firelight, dancing over the room, caused strange shadows; and Max -fancied himself one of the shadows, for his chair was filled by a boy of -his own age, sitting just as he had been sitting, with the great dog's -head on his knee; and notwithstanding his strange dress, Max started -with a feeling almost of terror, for the boy was his double; it was like -seeing himself in the glass. - -A storm was raging around the castle, and above the soft music of the -harp could be heard the rush of the wind, and the roar of the ocean -dashing at the foot of the cliff. - -The lady shivered and glanced round the room. "I wish your father were -home, Patrick. How glad I shall be when peace comes again." - -"I wish I were old enough to lead the clan to battle, then father could -remain with you." - -"What? become a dotard? Out upon you!" Her eyes flashed at the boy, and -the dog, raising his head, gave a low growl. "Why do you not have that -beast speared? You know I hate him," said the lady. - -"He was given to me (as you know) by the good fathers at the monastery. -They told me always to cherish Bran, for he would save me from demons, -as well as wolves. See the silver crosses on his collar. Nothing can -harm us while Bran is here." - -The lady cast a look of fear and hatred at the boy and the dog. "Be not -too sure," she said. Springing to her feet, she walked back and forth -through the room. Her step was smooth and graceful; she made no sound on -the rushes as she walked. - -Presently there came a lull in the storm, and from somewhere back in the -hills came the howl of a wolf. The lady paused and listened, then -turning to the boy she said in a hurried manner, while her eyes sought -the floor: "I feel ill; I am going to my room. Let no one disturb me -to-morrow; if I need help I will call." And as she turned to leave the -room, suddenly she paused. "Get you to bed, Patrick, chain up that dog, -and--you are the hope and pride of your father--I lay my commands on -you--do not hunt to-morrow." - -Then the lady was gone; but Bran was trembling and growling. "He heard -the wolves howl," said Patrick to the harper. The old man looked into -the fire and was silent. - -Presently Patrick arose, and bidding the harper good-night, went to his -room, closely followed at the heels by the great dog. To his surprise, -awaiting him in his room was the housekeeper, an ancient woman, who had -been his father's nurse. She rose when Patrick entered, and came toward -him. - -"My mind is troubled, child," she said; "I must tell you my story." - -"What is it, nurse?" - -"It is about my lady Eileen, your stepmother. May I speak?" - -"Tell on," said Patrick. "But remember, I will hear nothing against my -lady;" for he well knew that the nurse bore the young stepmother no good -will. - -"Well, listen, child. You were not here when your father married my -lady. You had not left the monastery where your father placed you for -safety while he was beyond seas. I must tell you first how she came -here. - -"Fingal, the huntsman, told me that one day, when your father was -hunting alone, he was followed all day by a wolf. It would lurk from one -hillock to another, but when he turned to pursue it, it would disappear. -Finally, at noon, when he sat down to rest, it came creeping and fawning -to his feet. He was tempted to spear it, but did not, out of surprise. -Presently it disappeared; but in the gloaming it returned, and followed -him clear to the gate of the castle. This my lord told to Fingal, and -greatly did he marvel. That same night," whispered the nurse, -mysteriously, "came a call for help, and when the gate was opened, there -stood a beautiful woman (my lady Eileen) who told how she had lost her -way and her company as she journeyed to St. Hilda's shrine. Your father -bade her enter, and she has abode here ever since; for soon he married -her, and she became our lady." - -"Well, well, nurse, I knew of her coming, and I know also that she was -no waif, but of a noble house and high lineage, as her coat of arms -bears witness,--a wolf couchant. But why explain all this to you? Right -glad am I that she came to gladden my father's heart and brighten our -home." - -"Yes, child, but listen; this only brings me to my story. My lady has -strange spells of illness, and always after a wolf howls." The boy -started impatiently, but the old dame, laying her hand on his arm, -compelled him to listen. "The last time it was moonlight. I was up in -the turret opposite her window; her lamp was lit, and I saw a strange -sight. My lady was springing with long leaps backward and forward over -the floor, and wringing her hands. Presently she went to her closet, -took from it a wolf's skin, slipped it over her dress, and I do not know -how she got outside the walls, but I saw her presently speeding away -with long leaps toward the hills." - -"Nurse, nurse, are you crazy? It is my lady of whom you speak. Never let -me hear you breathe that story again. Think of my father's wrath, should -this come to his ears." - -Still the old woman shook her head and mumbled in wrath, and speedily -betook herself away; while Patrick, laughing heartily at her foolish -story, went to bed. But all night above the roar of the storm could be -heard the howling of wolves. - -The morning broke wild and gloomy; the castle seemed lonely and dreary -without the cheery presence of Lady Eileen. Patrick went once to her -door and knocked, but received no answer. Presently Fingal, the -huntsman, came in, armed for the chase. Bran followed close at his -heels. "Will my lord hunt to-day? The wolves were among the flocks last -night, the shepherds tell me." - -Patrick hesitated, remembering his lady's commands, but he decided -finally to go. Soon he was ready, and issuing from the gates, he and -Fingal and the dog were lost in the mists that enveloped the hills. - -Long did the household wait their return. Night was brooding: over the -castle when Fingal's horn was heard at the gate. In answer to the -warder's call his voice came sternly through the night: "Bring help, and -come quickly; my lady is dead." To the grievous outcries and questions -that arose he would return no answer. - -Soon an excited group were hurrying toward the hills, and presently the -torches revealed a sad sight. The first to come into view was their -young lord, crouching on the ground, with the dog's head clasped in his -arms; Bran's throat had been torn and mangled, and he had been thrust -through with a spear. Patrick was wounded and torn in many places; blood -was flowing down his face and throat, and his tears were falling on the -dog's head. Not far away lay Lady Eileen, quite dead. Very beautiful and -placid she looked, as if sleeping; but on her throat were marks of great -teeth. - -"Take up my lady and bear her to the castle," said Patrick; "as for -Bran, you must bury him here." - -"Nay, child, he is only a dead dog," said the old nurse, fussily. But -she was met by a stern command to be quiet. - -"Do as I bid you," he said to the servants, and then added, "The good -dog went mad, and attacked my lady. I could not save her. Let my father -know this, should I die;" and then the boy fell backward, fainting. - -To the father it was a sad home-coming when, a few days later, he -returned from war,--his beautiful young wife lying cold and dead in the -chapel; his son very ill, calling always for Bran to save him from some -deadly peril. - -Greatly the household marvelled how their lady came to be out in the -mist and the storm, alone on the hills; but Fingal, the huntsman, sought -his two gossips, the nurse and the harper, and told this tale of the -day's hunt. - -"We had followed the wolves all day, and several had been killed. But -there was one gray wolf, who seemed the leader of the pack. This one my -lord singled out, and followed from valley to valley. Bran would not -pursue it, but slunk and cowered after his master, whining pitifully. -All day we followed it, until, late in the gloaming, it had headed -toward the castle; and we pressed it hard. It finally turned at bay, -and, springing at my lord's throat, it brought him to the ground. Bran -was lagging behind, and I was urging him forward. When he heard my -lord's cries, the dog flew at the wolf. The beast then turned on the -dog, and as I ran to help to spear it, I saw--" here the huntsman's -voice sank into a whisper--"I saw no wolf, but my lady, tearing and -rending the dog, while Bran's teeth were buried in her throat. - -"'Separate them! save them!' cried my lord; and I, not knowing what else -to do, watched my chance and thrust the dog through the body. He sank -without a groan, relaxing his grasp on my lady's throat. My lord gave a -cry of despair, and my lady, hearing it, crept over to him and -whispering, 'Forgive; I could not help it,' sank dead at his feet. But -Lord Patrick passed her by, and threw himself down by the dog; while I, -half distraught, came home for help." - -Then said the nurse, "See that you hold your tongue, man, for if this -story come to the ears of my lord, your body will want a head." - -But from that time forth the Lady Eileen was spoken of as "The Wolf -Lady," and in time, the grim name of the "Wolf's Castle" clung to her -old home. - -In the years that came and passed, Patrick became chief in his father's -place; and then a cairn was raised over the body of the faithful dog. - - -Max awoke to find the fire out; shivered, and sprang to his feet. "What -a strange dream!" he said. - - - - - VI. - THE CORN FAIRY. - - -Little Theo sat up in bed and looked out of the window. "It's going to -be a nice day; the little girl will be in the corn. We will play all day -long. I must hurry; she doesn't like to wait." - -Presently, her breakfast eaten and her little tasks all finished, she -was running as fast as her feet would carry her toward the wide fields -of Indian corn. In a few moments the great blades were rustling above -her head. They formed green arches, down whose long vistas the little -girl eagerly peered. Soon, with a satisfied laugh, she ran with -outstretched hands down the corn rows, and her voice came back -chattering, laughing, asking and answering questions. - -Theo's mother had often heard her speak of the little girl, or young -lady, or old lady, who played or talked with her in the cornfield; but -being a very busy woman, and having little time to give the child, she -did not pay much attention. If she heeded at all, she thought some -neighbor or her children had met the little girl while passing through -the cornfield. To-day her attention had been aroused, and she began to -wonder who it was that Theo was so eager to meet. - -So when Theo ran down to the cornfield, her mother followed closely. She -saw her disappear in the corn, and marking the place, hurried after. She -could hear the child's voice close at hand, and another's, that sounded -sometimes like a human voice, and again like the wind sighing in the -corn. After a short search, she saw at a distance her little daughter. -But what was she doing? Clasping in her arms a group of cornstalks, and -looking lovingly up among the green waving blades. But stay. Were they -cornstalks? It surely was a beautiful young woman, dressed in trailing -robes of green silk; her hair the color of corn silk, waving around her -face and neck. - -The little girl playfully clasped her knees, while the lady, laughing, -bent over her, swaying and bending as corn does in the wind. "Am I -losing my senses, or am I bewitched?" wondered the mother. She was -tempted to call her child to her, and take her away from the field, but -she seemed so happy. - -Presently Theo sprang away from the corn, and called back, "You cannot -catch me." The wind suddenly blew the tossing corn-blades together. When -it lulled again, she saw her little girl running down the row, and close -in pursuit ran the young woman. No, stay. It was a child, following -closely after Theo. On they ran, laughing, calling, and presently they -came back, panting. - -Theo flung herself down to rest in the shade of the corn, and so did the -little girl. But now, it was not a little girl, but an old woman who sat -there. Her face, half hidden by her hood, was wrinkled and yellow. She -had a long cloak, with the hood closely drawn over her head. Her -clothing was made of some material the color of cornhusks, and was -coarse and stiff. - -Theo rested her elbow on the old woman's knee, and looked up into her -face. "I almost think I like you best this way," she said. "You make me -think of such comfortable things,--gathering nuts and apples, and of -pumpkin-pie, and--and--Christmas, and going to grandpa's on -Thanksgiving." The old woman nodded and sighed. - -"Do you feel sad again?" Again she nodded. - -"About the corn-husking?" A nod. - -"But you know next summer will come, and you can begin all over again." - -Just here Theo's mother thought, "I must stop this; the child is talking -either to a ghost or a witch. Theo," she called, "come to me." - -The child sprang up from her seat and came to her mother, rubbing her -eyes. - -"Now, mamma, you've frightened her away; she won't come back again -to-day. She doesn't like folks." - -"Theo, who in the world are you talking about; and why do you race up -and down the corn rows, laughing and chattering to yourself?" - -"Well, I'll tell you, mamma; but first let us go to the house; she might -not like to hear me." - -Soon after, they were seated in the cool shaded parlor. The mother took -the little girl on her lap. "Now, Theo, tell me," she said. So the -little child began. - -"Well, mamma, it began long ago, by me being so lonesome. I haven't any -one to play with, and one day I was out in the cornfield when the corn -was just as high as me. And I spoke out loud, and I said, 'Oh, dear, -what shall I do for some one to play with me? I shall go distracted' (I -have heard you say that word, mamma)! And I said, 'I wish a little girl -would grow out of those cornstalks;' and just as I said that, the stalks -parted, and out stepped the nicest little girl. She was so pretty! She -had such curling brown hair, and blue eyes, and her dress was of green -silk; and when she laughed, her teeth looked like little grains of white -corn, and she was rubbing her eyes, as though she had just waked up. And -she knew me, mamma; she said, 'Why, Theo, did you come to play with me?' -and pretty soon we were the best friends you ever saw. And every day we -played and played; only she never would tell me where she lived, and she -wouldn't ever come home with me to play. But one day, when the corn had -grown way high above my head, and the roasting ears were getting ripe, -she changed all at once into such a pretty young lady. At first I cried, -for I didn't want to lose my little girl; but the young lady was so -lovely, mamma, and she sang to me, and we talked; and so one day last -fall, when the cornstalks were turning yellow, I found my young lady had -changed into an old one. And I was afraid of her at first, she was so -bent over, and was queer looking. But I got real well acquainted with -her, and she told me stories about gathering nuts, and about squirrels -and birds, and oh, lots of things, and I just love her now! - -"Well, I wanted to tell you, but you didn't pay much 'tention when I -talked to you; so, when husking time came, my poor old lady wrung her -hands and cried, and told me good-bye, and I just couldn't 'dure to see -her go, and my dear cornfield torn down, and I have felt so lonesome. - -"Well, this summer, the little girl came back, when the corn was tall -enough for us to play in; and now we know each other so well that she -changes just for fun, from a little girl to a young lady, and then to an -old one; and she keeps me uneasy, mamma, for I never know just when she -will change. She told me once she was an Indian woman, and that she was -civilized now,--and that's all." - -Theo ended with a sigh of relief that the story was told. The mother -looked at the child long and curiously. "Well, I declare!" she said. But -that night she said to Theo's papa: "We must send Theo to school. The -child's head is filled with all sorts of nonsense; it's time she was -taught something sensible; and, if I were in your place, I would turn -that cornfield into pasture-land, and invest in more cattle." - -"I have been thinking of that myself," he answered. - -By and by the mother asked, "John, was that cornfield ever used by the -Indians as a burial place, or anything?" - -"I don't know," he answered musingly. "I used to plow up arrow-heads, -and pipe-bowls of red sandstone, when I first broke the prairie sod. Why -do you ask?" - -"Oh, just because," she answered. - - - - - VII. - AT THE WAYSIDE CROSS. - - -There is a border land that lies just beyond this everyday life, but not -within the bounds of dreamland. We call it, for want of a better name, -"The land of fancy, or of waking dreams." - -A young mother lay in her white bed, and close in her arms nestled the -little soul whose life journey was just beginning. It was twilight time, -and the mother lay half asleep, half awake, close on the confines of -that border land. - -The rain beating on the window, the fire purring in the grate, played a -soft accompaniment to her thoughts. - -"What will my little baby's life be,--happy or sad?" questioned the -mother. "Oh, dear All-Father, if I might know!" thus she prayed. And -while she asked and wondered, a soft rustle by her bedside caused her to -glance up. Above her and the sleeping baby leaned a tall bright angel, -in garments soft and white like snow, with folded wings like the petals -of some great white lily. "What is it," wondered the mother; and a soft -voice answered: "I am your baby's angel. Your prayer has been heard. -Look." And the mother, following the angel's glance, saw at the foot of -the bed three gray shapes, three mysterious woman forms. There they sat, -solemnly regarding the little one. In the hands of one was what the -mother knew to be a distaff; from it, a fine thread passed to the baby's -hand. "Ah, that is why you clasp your hands so tightly, my darling, lest -you lose the thread," said the mother. - -The next sister held a pair of shears in her hand; her eyes were sad and -downcast. The last one had empty hands, but she spoke with authority, -and she said: "Sisters, this new soul is bound for the city on the -heights of Peace. How shall she reach it?" - -Then spoke the one with the distaff: "Ah, sister, she is little and -weak. She is a woman child. May she not go by the way that leads through -the valley, where there is pleasant shade, and the birds sing all day -long?" - -The eldest answered: "Who that takes that route reaches the city? Do -they not wander away into the defiles of the mountains, and the heights -are lost to them? Nay, sisters, she shall go by the way of tears till -she come to the wayside cross." - -Then the pitying one raised the shears to cut the tiny thread of life, -but the other stayed her hand. "Let me read to you her destiny," she -said. - -The angel bent low over the mother and child. "Be strong, be -courageous," he whispered; and the mother's fears were stilled. - -Then spoke the Fate: "This soul shall early be acquainted with sorrow; -and the angel of pain shall walk hand in hand with her. But close beside -shall walk the angel of patience. Her little feet shall be pierced with -thorns and bruised with cruel rocks. But beside the stony path sweet -flowers will bloom. She will hear the lark sing up in the blue, and at -every turn in the path she will look backward and see that she is -climbing higher. Sometimes, to strengthen her, shall be given her -glimpses of the wonderful city. And always her guardian angel shall be -with her to minister to her. - -"As the years go by, she will not journey alone. She will be happy, for -love will lighten the way. Then suddenly shall she come to the wayside -cross. There a great horror of darkness shall settle over her, her -strength shall be taken from her, and she shall lie with her face in the -dust. - -"But at the cross, the clouds will separate, the mists roll away, and -she will find her journey almost accomplished. For behold, from it a -wonderful stairway of pearl and gold leads up into the heart of the -city; and her loved ones will hasten to greet her, and stretch out their -hands to help her on her way. She will have gained the heights of Peace, -and will be an inhabitant of that wonderful country, a citizen of the -golden city." - -Then the mother, weeping tears of sorrow and of joy, was satisfied, and -the tiny baby stirred in its sleep, and nestled closer to her heart. - - - - - VIII. - IN QUEST OF THE DARK. - - -Little Gene, up at the castle, was missing. The night had come on, and -the woods that inclosed the cliff on which the castle stood, and that -swept down the valley and up the opposite heights, were hushed and -still, or sighing dolefully in the summer wind. The servants were out -with torches, calling, and running in every direction. Some one -suggested letting out the dogs; but that, the lady would not allow. She -would not have the child torn to pieces by the great wolf-hounds, she -said. She sat in her room and wrung her hands in despair. For the -twentieth time she questioned the weeping nurse, who grew more -frightened and confused with each question. - -"Most noble lady, I saw him last in the courtyard. He called to me and -said: 'Nursie, I will run away out into the deep wood;' and I answered -that the Dark would catch him if he did, and then he could never get -home again; and he said: 'I am not afraid of the Dark. I will find him, -and tell him so; and I like the Dark.' And then--I brought him into the -play-room, and I--" - -"Stop right there!" cried the mother. "You did not bring him in. You -intended to do so; but in talking with the men-at-arms and other idlers, -you forgot my son; and now, he is either in the grasp of that robber -chief Montfort, or the wolves have found him." - -Here the mother's and the nurse's outcries blended; and if the nurse's -shrieks were loudest, there may have been cause; for a noble dame's -white hand could strike heavily, in those days. - -The whole night through, the mother and the nurse mingled their tears -for their darling, while the search went on. The men-at-arms and -servants loved the boy, not only that he was the son of their lord but -for his own quaint ways and bonny face. - -Early in the morning the seekers came straggling in, tired and hungry; -no trace had been found of the child. All feared to tell their lady of -their fruitless quest. She had not ceased, all night, to walk the floor, -weeping, and asking herself how she would dare tell her husband that -their boy was gone. The nurse crouched by the door, trembling, and in -sore distress; while the seekers asked of each other who was to tell -their mistress. While they lingered, a shout from the valley caused all -to hasten to the castle wall. A horse and rider came rapidly toward them -from under the trees; clasped in the rider's arms was little Gene; his -yellow curls glistened against the man's black armor. - -Placing the child on the ground, the stranger bowed low to the lady, -turned his horse, and disappeared into the forest. The mother scarcely -saw him; her eyes were on her boy. She reached out her arms to him. - -"Gene, little Gene, my dearest, come." The little fellow kissed his hand -and waved it to her. Soon he was in her arms; and she held him close, -while she questioned him. - -"Where have you been, Gene, and who was yon dark man who brought you -home?" - -"That was the Dark, mamma. Nurse does always tell me that the Dark will -catch me; and when I say that I do not fear, she threatens to send me to -him. I asked her where he lived, and she said, 'In the day-time, in the -great vaults under the castle;' and I asked her where he lived at night, -and she said, 'In the deep woods.' So I said I would find him, and tell -him I did not fear him." - -"Did you think to frighten his father's son with such baby lore?" asked -the lady of the nurse, scornfully. - -"But continue, my son; tell me, how went you out from the castle?" - -"There is a little door through which--but dear mamma, I cannot tell you -what is known only to the men-at-arms." - -The lady glanced round darkly. "This castle needeth its master sorely," -she said. The men drew back abashed. The boy continued,-- - -"When I came out into the woods, I left the path that leads -away--away,"--he spread out his dimpled arms and looked far off,--"I -know not whither it goes, but I left it, and sought the deep wood. The -shadows are heavy there, and it is very still. While I stood under a -tree, uncertain which way to go, suddenly down toward me, through the -trees, came the Dark." - -"Holy Mary! it was some robber," exclaimed the mother. - -"No, mamma, I tell you, it was the Dark. He was very black; his armor -was black, and so were his beard and his eyes. He looked at me as though -he wanted to eat me. But I said, 'Are you the Dark? I come to find you -and to tell you that I do not fear you.' And then I looked at him, and -he laughed, and I said, 'I think I am going to like you;' and he said, -'Who are you? Have you strayed from Fairyland?' - -"So I told him who I was, and he frowned and said, 'Careless woman, to -guard such a treasure so slackly.' Who did he mean, mamma?" - -The lady's face flushed. "Continue, my son; did he harm you?" - -"Oh, mamma, no. He found me some berries and a drink from a spring; and -then he showed me how, at his coming, the little birds went to sleep in -the trees, and the deer beneath them. And he showed me the stars, coming -out in the deep sky. And when I grew sleepy, he held me in his arms, and -sang of the white moths, and the glowworms; and the bird that sings at -night sang with him; and then I went to sleep. But when morning came he -found a great black horse, which was his; and so he brought me home, and -made me promise never to seek for him again. I did not want to promise, -only his eyes looked so that I feared him; so I promised; and he gave me -this keepsake, for my mamma." - -Here little Gene drew forth from his sleeve a piece of parchment, which -he handed to his mother. - -The lady was obliged to call to her aid the priest, who read slowly:-- - -"Thou careless woman, guard this treasure more securely, lest he fall a -second time into the hands of Montfort." - -"Holy St. Denis! it was that fierce robber," said the lady. - - - - - IX. - THE KING WILL HUNT TO-DAY. - - -This story was told by an Indian mother to her children, while the wind -whirled and twisted the snow into great heaps against the walls of the -tepee. - -"This that I will tell you happened many years ago, before the white man -was here, and when the red man owned all the vast prairies and deep -woods, the great lakes and broad rivers of this land. The red man ruled -over every living animal, save the great bear, who dwelt in the dim -vastness of the forest, and the gaunt wolves, who submitted to the rule -of a king, strong and terrible. - -"One winter the frost came early; the rivers were frozen solid; the snow -covered the nuts under the trees and the roots that were eatable. The -animals sought their dens and burrows, and the earth slept the -death-sleep. All living things suffered, the red men most of all; there -was fasting and sorrow in all the tepees--in all save one, where lived -the Wolf-Maiden and her mother. Their tepee was warm and bright--warm -with the furs of animals, bright with the light of great dry logs -blazing on the fire. The daughter was plump and rosy, for she had plenty -of food; but the mother was thin and pale, and sat all day with her face -hidden on her knees, in the corner of the tepee. Every night the -daughter called the mother to come with her; and the mother followed, -trembling, not daring to disobey. Those who watched them saw them -disappear in the starlight, across the wide, snow-covered prairie, -taking the direction of the ravine, where were the dens of the Wolf-King -and his old wolf-mother. They would return heavily laden with meat and -furs; and frequently the mother bent under a great load of logs. Often -when the children of the village, hollow-eyed and pale, would come near -the tepee, scenting the fragrance of the broiling meat, the maiden would -snatch from the fire a portion and offer it to the little ones; but it -was rejected with horror; for the mothers had told the children that the -meat was bewitched, and if they ate of it they would be turned into -wolves. - -"The Wolf-Maiden was looked upon with fear; for it was said that in the -long summer evenings she had been seen playing and romping with the old -mother-wolf and the young Wolf-King; while her Indian mother, from a -distant hill, watched her, and wrung her hands for fear. So all the -girls of the tribe shunned her, and the young men feared her greatly. - -"Now the winter waxed colder and fiercer, and cruel hunger dwelt in each -tepee. Many little ones died, for there was no food for them; and there -was mourning in the village. The Wolf-Maiden's heart was filled with -pity; she went to the mothers and offered them meat for the children. -When they drew back she said, 'Is it not better to give this to the -children than to see them die? Do not I eat it, and am I a wolf?' - -"Then her face grew red as the sky when the sun bids it good night. The -mothers finally accepted the meat, although with many a smothered curse -for the giver. The children grew strong and rosy again; and the parents -watched them anxiously, to see if claws or fur would appear on them. - -"But the Wolf-King and his subjects grew weary with the toil of -supplying so many with food; and in sulky silence they retired to their -dens and slept the time away. Then, when the Wolf-Maiden had gone to his -den, and had called the king to come to her without avail, she sought -the old mother-wolf, and she said, 'Oh, mother, dost thou not care that -thy child lacks food? and see, my lazy brother will not hunt for me.' - -"And the wolf-mother said, 'Daughter, I know well that it is not for -thyself thou demandest food, but for the helpless beings among whom thou -dost dwell. What is it to me that they starve? Have they not taken thee -from me, and dost thou not blush when thou rememberest that thou wast -once a wolf?' - -"'Not so,' answered the maid; 'I blush rather for the cruel heart that a -wolf-skin can cover. Give me now my wolf-skin robe: I will find food for -those helpless little ones.' - -"Then hastily snatching the robe she flung it over her shoulders, and -she was changed into a wolf, and, speeding away across the snow, she was -quickly lost to view in the distance. Then the old wolf-mother sprang to -the door of her cave and sent a cry of alarm and anguish up the valley. -It entered the door of the Wolf-King's den, and awoke the sleeping -monarch. He ran with great leaps down the valley to his mother's home. -She quickly told him her story, and bemoaned her own and her son's -selfishness. - -"'Thy sister will die, will die! And I, her mother, have sent her to her -death. She is all unused to the hunt, she will perish alone in the -bitter cold! Follow her! Bring her back!' - -"Then the king ran swiftly down the valley, giving the hunting call as -he ran; and all the wolves of the pack awoke and called to each other: -'The king will hunt to-day!' And there was a gathering and mustering of -the strong ones of the tribe. And the king said, 'Come, follow, follow -quickly, we are on the track of a wolf. I warn ye all, let no one harm -the stranger should we meet with it; for it is my royal sister, returned -to us once more!' - -"Now the Wolf-Maiden ran long and far over the dim snow-covered plain, -but found nothing; for she was unused to the hunt, and knew not how to -track or to follow. Presently she drew near the great black forest, -wherein dwelt the Bear-King. But this she did not heed, for just on the -edge of the forest an antelope started up from the long, high grass and -brush, and sprang away among the great trees. The Wolf-Maiden followed -closely on its trail. She did not see the wicked eyes, cruel claws, or -gleaming teeth above her. Just as she sprang on the antelope, a blow -from the great bear's paw struck her down. She sprang to her feet, all -the royal blood in her body aroused by the blow; but who could strive -against that terrible arm? Suddenly through the forest rang the royal -hunting call of the Wolf-King, and the great bear turned to face as -cruel a fate as he had planned for the Wolf-Maiden. Then came the -combat: terrible blows were given and taken, growls and snarls of rage, -the wild joy and glow of the battle. The Wolf-Maiden, forgetting all but -her wolf nature, joined in the struggle, and helped to drag the monster -to the ground. - -"When the battle was over and the bear was dead, the pack withdrew to a -respectful distance, and formed a circle around the dead bear and -antelope. They watched the Wolf-King and his sister divide the spoil; a -large portion for the helpless children, a smaller portion for their -mother and themselves. And when they were served, the wolves closed in -around the carcasses and left scarcely the bones. - -"The Wolf-Maiden returned no more to the Indian village; retaining her -wolf form, she abode with her own mother. But all through the cold of -the terrible winter, the wolves brought down the game, and supplied the -wants of the children; and when the winter was gone, and the birds sang -on the ridgepoles of the tepees, the Wolf-King, his mother, sister, and -tribe removed far to the north land. Ever after, the wolf was venerated -in the tribe and was chosen as their totem." - - - - - X. - HE WAS A PRINCE. - - -The rain had poured down steadily all day. Max was tired and depressed, -for a slight cold made going out into the rain impossible. All the books -had been read and re-read. There was no one to amuse him but Candace, -the nurse, a mulatto woman of dignified and solemn mien, who always -reminded him of Thorwaldsen's "Africa," for her large eyes had a -far-away look, "As if she were remembering things," Max said. - -She was kind, but seldom talked to him; and as Max had no mother to tell -his thoughts to, they would sit for an hour at a time, dreaming their -own dreams, neither speaking to the other. - -As the afternoon wore on, Max grew more and more restless and his sighs -more frequent. Nurse Candace glanced up from her sewing, but said -nothing. - -Just then the great white cat, "Necho" by name, rose up from his dark -red velvet cushion, yawned wearily, stretched himself, and stepped with -stately grace from the room. - -"Why! he walks like a prince," said Max. - -"He is a prince at night," said Candace. - -"Is he? How do you know?" eagerly asked Max. - -"If I tell you, you must not let him suspect, even by your actions, that -you know," said Candace, "or my punishment--" Here she broke off. - -"I promise," said Max. - -"Well, it is as I tell you. All day long while the daylight lasts with -us he is under a spell. Once, in the olden days, his father, the king of -Egypt, caused to be put to death a great magician; but before his death -the magician laid a spell upon the great king's only son, Prince Necho; -and this was it. When night came the prince and one attendant were to -depart to the westward, far over the unknown sea; and when they came to -the land of strangers, the prince must take the form of some animal. - -"When the queen heard this she was filled with despair, and implored the -great cat-headed goddess, Pacht, to have mercy on her son; but all the -comfort the goddess promised her was, that the spell upon the prince -should last only from darkness to daylight; that he might take the form -of the animal sacred to the goddess, the cat; because of his pure and -blameless life he should be a white cat; that while he was under the -spell he should have a kind and loving master, and his faithful -attendant should be with him. - -"Now, when night is settling down over us, and the sun-god is rising -over Egypt, great Prince Necho returns to his own. Not to the present -Egypt, with its lonely ruins and its race of slaves, but to a great and -glorious realm; for the curtain that hides the past is lifted." - -"And do you go with him? Are you a great princess in Egypt? Oh, may I -not go too? Please, please, Candace, let me." - -"Peace! child of the stranger," said Candace sternly. "Is it not enough -that I am revealing the prince's life to you?" - -Then presently she added in a kinder tone: "Now at night, when Necho -goes to the door and asks to have it opened, you unfasten it for him and -watch him as he walks leisurely to the steps of the porch. But what you -do not see is a great ocean, whose waves lap the steps; and on its waves -rises and falls a galley of gold and precious wood, with silken sails. -This awaits the prince. - -"He steps on board and is received with joy by kneeling subjects. The -white fur robe he wears here is thrown gladly aside, and the prince -sinks to rest, lulled by beautiful music. Speedily he is borne to the -mouth of the Nile, where thousands of boats await his coming. Softly he -is wafted up the river to the great city, where in their palace by the -water wait the king and queen. The father advances with joy to receive -his son. The queen, with tears in her beautiful dark eyes, clasps him in -her arms and kisses into forgetfulness the sad night of humiliation he -has known. All the land rejoices as at the coming of the sun-god. - -"Then begins the real life of Prince Necho. He is taught by the priests -the sacred mysteries he must know as the great ruler of Egypt. He is -taught also the art of ruling himself as well as his subjects. In all -manner of noble feats of horsemanship, of chariot racing, of hunting and -of war he is taught. And the hours are light with happiness and joy and -love. And as the day nears its closing, the father and mother, sitting -by him and clasping his hands, speak of their love and their sorrow, and -of the time when by great gifts to the gods and to the poor, and by -living noble lives, they may expiate the crime of the magician's death -(beloved of Osiris) and so remove the spell from their beloved one. - -"Now as the sun sinks in the desert sands, behold there is mourning in -all the land of Egypt. And the queen, prostrate on the steps of the -altar sacred to Pacht, implores her protection for her darling; while -the king and the prince, kneeling in the great temple of Osiris, offer -oblations to the offended god. As the twilight deepens, sadly the prince -returns to his galley, and sinking into troubled dreams, is borne to -this land of strangers. And here the waiting attendant wraps the white -robe of fur around him; and he awakes to find the spell not yet removed. - -"But the one bright spot in his dark prison life is the love he bears -the son of the stranger." - -While Nurse Candace, in a low monotone, repeated her wondrous story, the -night outside the windows darkened, and Necho, coming into the room, -came up to Max and rubbed his head gently against his knee, then walking -to the hall door he asked for it to be opened. - -As Max stood in the open door and watched the enchanted prince go down -the steps, he fancied he saw, through the rain, the sheen of the silken -sails and the gleam of gold on the galley's prow, and was sure he heard -the hymn of welcome. Returning to the room, he saw Nurse Candace sitting -with bowed head and sad eyes. - -"The attendant does not go with the prince to Egypt," said Max. - -"The attendant awaits here the prince's sad returning," she answered. - -"But the days will not seem long to the prince; he sleeps the time -away," he said. - -"What better can he do," answered Candace, "than to make of this life a -sleep and a forgetting, or to wander in dreams in Egypt?" - -Long did Max sit and ponder over this strange story. "Can it be true, I -wonder?" he thought. "It cannot be; it is too wonderful. And yet, -Candace is so strange. And Necho often reminds me of the sphinx. Well, I -will believe it if to-morrow morning I find a lotus blossom on my -pillow." - -And so, going to bed, he dreamed of following Necho over a sunlit sea to -Egypt. - -Strange to tell, in the morning a blue lotus blossom lay on his pillow -when he awoke. And when Candace came to call him, she glanced at the -flower and started. - -"Where did it come from, Candace?" asked Max, although he was quite sure -that he knew. - -"From the market, of course," answered Candace. "Uncle Moses" (the -colored man of all work) "was there early, and no doubt brought it home -with the marketing. He must have laid it on your pillow." - -But Max thought Necho could tell him about the flower, although he was -careful not to ask him, or by his actions to reveal the secret that he -knew that he was a prince. - -A few nights later Max had retired early with a severe headache. He -awoke, after a deep sleep, to find his headache gone, the room filled -with moonlight; awoke to the pressure of a soft hand on his forehead, -and saw Candace bending over him. But how oddly she was dressed! He -gazed at her in wonder. And then it flashed through his mind that her -costume was an exact copy of a picture he had seen, taken from some -rock-tomb by the Nile. It was the ancient dress of an Egyptian lady. - -"Waken, Max, rise and dress quickly; for permission has been granted us -to go this night with the prince to Egypt. Hasten, and I will wait for -thee outside the door." - -How soft and musical her voice sounded! Soft and exquisite as a haunting -melody heard in dreams. And how wonderfully her strange dress became -her! But almost before he had time to note this, she had vanished softly -from the room. - -Wondering greatly, Max hastened to dress. But what was this? Instead of -his usual garments he found the very oddest dress that was ever worn by -an American boy. Strange to say, he found no difficulty in placing the -different articles, for each one seemed to take its required place -without effort on his part. It was all so familiar, and yet so strange. -Soon he was attired in the most approved costume of a young Egyptian -noble of some thousands of years ago. - -When he had finished dressing he softly opened the door. Candace seized -his hand and hurriedly drew him through the upper hall and down the -stairs. - -And there Max beheld a wondrous sight. - -For the hall door was open. And down the hall and porch knelt two rows -of the prince's subjects, richly and strangely dressed. But he had small -time to note them; for at the foot of the stairs stood the prince. When -Max saw him in all his glorious young majesty, something in his heart -compelled him to bow the knee; free born though he was, he knelt low -before the prince, for his face was homage-compelling. - -The prince was dressed in dazzling garments, and jewels innumerable -glittered when he moved. From his shoulders hung the white fur robe. - -Taking Max's hand, the prince bade him rise, and turning to his -attendants, commanded them to hasten. Quickly they stepped on board. -Candace reverently drew the white robe from the prince's shoulders; -then, settling back among his silken cushions, the prince bade Max sit -beside him. Candace knelt at his feet. And, strange to relate, Moses, in -most gorgeous array, held the insignia of royalty over the head of the -prince. - -Then to the accompaniment of soft music, as they swiftly sailed, the -prince told how he had prevailed on the priests to allow him to take -with him Max and Candace. - -"And they were the more willing," said the prince, "since it was -predicted by the astrologers at my birth that I should be saved from -great evil by one of an unknown time and race. And the astrologers -assure the priests that the hour has come." - -Then Candace, looking far across the sea, murmured her thanks to Pacht -that it was come; and Max told the prince how he longed that he might -have the great honor and joy of saving him. - -Then Prince Necho set himself presently to the task of teaching Max the -forms and ceremonies to be observed when they should come into the -presence of the king and queen; and Max learned readily, as one -recalling some half-forgotten lesson. - -When they had reached the mouth of the Nile, they were borne up the -river to the city of the great king. There the royal father and mother -and a great multitude welcomed them to Egypt. The queen kissed Max, and -her lips were cool and soft on his brow as the petals of the lotus -blossom. And afterwards she embraced Candace and thanked her for her -devotion to her son. Then, after many strange ceremonials and great -rejoicing, the multitude were dismissed, and the king and queen led the -way to their private apartments. - -Now it seemed to Max that he remained many days in the palace and saw -wonderful sights; and his soul was surfeited with pleasures. - -But the prince grew restless under this life of ease and luxury, and -longed to break away from it all. One day he said to his royal father, -"I would I might take Max for a day's hunting; I would show him noble -sport." - -The queen looked up, pale and anxious; and the king answered slowly, -"Thou mayst go, since the spell is on thee; but beware the lions." - -And Necho answered: "Why should I fear them; am I not thy son? Then am I -mightier than they." - -But the queen was weeping. - -Then the next day, early in the morning, they started for the wild -beasts' haunts in the thick jungles by the river in the royal hunting -grounds. And on the way Necho said: "Max, part of the spell laid upon me -is my mad desire at times to hunt the wild beasts and kill them. When -that desire comes, I know no rest until I have killed." - -Just then the royal hunters came to them and announced a lion hidden in -the thick reeds. Then Necho, leaving Max in safety to view the sport, -sprang into his chariot and bade his charioteer drive on. Straight -toward the jungle they drove, when out from it sprang a great tawny -beast. At the sight of it Max's heart stood still with fear. On it -bounded, past the horses, straight at the prince. Swift as thought he -threw his spear; it sank deep into the eye of the lion, and he rolled -over, roaring with agony. The nobles and hunters soon despatched the -beast; and when it was dead all joined in lauding the prince to the sky. - -"Tell me, O prince," said Max, as they were wending home, followed by -the carcass of the lion, borne on the spears of the hunters,--"tell me, -did you strike purposely at the lion's eye?" - -"Surely; I could strike at no better place, and I have been trained to a -steady and sure hand." - -And Max thought to himself that Necho was the bravest as well as the -handsomest prince that ever lived. - -That evening, as the sun was travelling westward toward the desert, -these two were idling away the hour in one of the courts of the palace. -It was a beautiful spot, cool with the spray from the fountain and -musical with the sound of falling waters. They were idly tossing a ball -backward and forward to each other. The prince leaned against a gilded -trellis on which some rare vine was growing. He spoke suddenly: "Max, I -feel strangely restless. When I went early this morning to the temple of -Osiris, the priests told me that I should be in deadly peril this day, -but that Osiris would this night be pleased with me. I would have -hesitated to go hunt the lions this morning, but I thought if Osiris was -pleased with me, I had naught to fear, even if death came. And now the -hunt is over; and I was not in deadly peril." - -"Surely you were in danger this morning of losing your life, prince; be -assured that is what the priests foretold." - -"I think not," answered the prince, and then was silent. - -Suddenly, there came springing through one of the entrances to the court -an immense dog. Max recognized it as a huge mastiff, one of the largest -and fiercest. His voice was a hoarse roar of rage, and his great mouth, -wide open, showed his white teeth. With gleaming eyes he rushed at the -prince; and when Necho saw him, he gave a shriek (strangely like the cry -of a cat) and sprang up the trellis, which began to bend with his -weight. - -"Oh, Max! save me; save me from the magician!" he screamed. - -Max, very much startled and rather shocked at the prince's fright, -seized his sword and rushed at the dog, who now turned his rage on Max. -The boy struck at him again and again with the sword, and finally with a -sharp thrust of its point he gave the dog his death wound. Max turned, -to see the prince trembling and cowering, with his hands over his face. - -"Look up, dear prince, he is dying. You have nothing to fear." - -"I cannot look until the life has left him. It is the evil one, who has -this wicked enchantment over me," answered the prince. Just then, with a -groan, the dog stiffened himself and died. - -Then suddenly, from the palace, from the temples, from the city, arose a -great shout of joy. Max was clasped close in the prince's arms and felt -his warm tears on his face. Still the shouting went on. It was a glad -psalm of thanksgiving for one beloved of the gods and men, who was -delivered from great evil. "Glory and thanksgiving," chanted the -priests. "Joy, joy," sang the people. - -And while they listened, suddenly the king and queen, Candace and Moses, -and a great company were around them. They would have knelt to Max, but -he would not allow it. - -But while he witnessed the father's and mother's joy over their son, -suddenly he remembered his own father, left alone in a distant land, and -a great longing to go to him took possession of his heart. He could not -tell this longing to Necho, for already he was planning a happy life in -Egypt, with Max as his other self. And Max knew that when he returned to -his own country he must bid adieu to Necho during this life. - -Now as he walked, troubled in mind, in the palace gardens, the queen -sent for him to come to her, and she said: "Dear Max, savior of my son, -what is it that troubles thee?" - -Then Max laid all before her, and she answered: "It is right that thou -shouldst go, for not only does thy father need thee, but thou dost -belong to a far-away race and age that we may never know. It is not meet -that thou abide here. Nay we must not hold thee, lest we risk the anger -of the gods. Go, then, to thine own country; only sometimes, in thy -dreams, remember us, who then will be only phantoms of a forgotten -past." - -Her dark eyes looked sadly at Max, and he answered, "Beautiful queen and -loved mistress, I will never cease to remember Egypt and thee and my -loved prince." - -And while he yet was speaking the sun had risen, and Max was sleeping in -his own bed at home. - -He sprang up to see if the Egyptian dress was on the chair where he had -found it, but his own garments were there. - -He hastily dressed, but while doing so glanced at his hand, and saw the -prince's thumb ring, which Necho had placed on it the day before. Then -Max knew that he would never see Necho again. He ran downstairs, half -hoping to find Candace in the sitting-room. He found the cook, looking -much mystified. - -"Where is Candace?" asked Max. - -"Sure enough, where is Candace, and Moses too? Not a sign of them can I -find this morning. It's my belief they have run off, and taken the cat -with them; for I tried to find him an hour ago to catch a mouse that was -in the pantry; not that the lazy thing would catch it, for he never -would catch mice, the spoiled little--" - -"Now, now, cook, you shall not speak a word against Necho," declared -Max. - -It certainly was very strange (to all but Max), for from that day -nothing was heard of Candace, Moses, or Necho, until one of Moses' -colored friends declared that he had visited them in a neighboring city, -where they lived quietly as Mr. and Mrs. Johnson. And he further -declared that he had stroked Necho's back many times during the visit. - -But as the colored gentleman's statements were always to be taken with a -grain of salt, Max placed no faith in the story; for he knew full well -that Necho and his attendants were in Egypt, where he was indeed a -prince. - - - - - XI. - WHERE THE RIVER HIDES ITS PEARLS. - - -Just where the river bends on its course stands a high point or -headland. It is covered with short, sweet grass and white clover, and -partly shaded with trees. From its highest point there is a beautiful -view of the river, which you may watch sparkling in the sun or dreaming -in the moonlight. To the north the path of the river is almost straight -for a mile or more; to the south the wooded hills on its farther side -confront you, for here it turns and for at least a half mile flows to -the west, before it turns southward again. - -On this headland a company of friends and neighbors were camping; and on -the highest point was built the camp fire. It was the children's daily -task (or pleasure) to collect sticks and bark to keep this fire going -from dusk until bedtime. Around it the hammocks were swung, and here the -company assembled each night. - -But one night, when the moon was very bright and sent its path of silver -far across the water, all were on the river, except two children and one -who loved them. The children nestled close to their friend, and listened -to the soft voices calling or singing across the water. The summer -breeze broke it into a thousand little ripples of light. - -"How the river shines to-night! it seems full of pearls," one child -said, softly. - -The other one asked, "Are there pearls in this river as there are in the -Mississippi?" - -"Oh, quantities of them; but the river hides them safely," answered -their friend. - -"Can you tell us where it hides them? Please tell us," they pleaded; and -their friend told softly the following legend:-- - - -Years ago, before there were any white men beside this river, there -lived in a village just around the bend an Indian boy. He was not -uncommonly handsome, brave, or good, but very much the reverse; and he -spent all of his days and most of his nights idling in his canoe on the -river. He did not fish or set traps or do any of the work that the other -boys did, but allowed his father and mother to furnish him with food and -clothing. His grandfather would shake his head and tell him that some -day he would displease the spirit who dwelt in the river, and that harm -would befall him. But he was wilful, and laughed at the mention of the -spirit. He did not believe there was one; he had never seen it. - -One night when he had been far up the river in his canoe, he came -floating down in the moonlight, just as that boat is floating there. Do -you see that tree that stands out on that point by itself? Yes; just -there was once a sand-bar. The moon shone on it, and the yellow sand was -like gold, as the boy neared it; he idly gazed at it, for he was half -asleep; but his attention was suddenly attracted by a wonderful sight. -He lay down in the canoe and let his eyes come just above its rim, and -this is what he saw as he slowly drifted past. - -An immense mussel shell lay just on the edge of the bar, half in and -half out of the water. It was wide open, and was so large that the half -of it formed a beautiful seat or throne. The upper valve curved over -like a canopy, and seemed to protect a beautiful girl who was reclining -in the hollow of the shell. Her face, a soft bronze in color, stood out -in relief against the mother-of-pearl lining of her throne. Her hair -waved round her in shining curves. Her hands were clasped above her -head. Her dress was of some shining white material, soft and lustrous as -silk; she was gazing up into the moonlit sky, and seemed lost in -thought. But it was not her beauty or her strange appearance that -attracted the boy; his eyes had caught the shine of a wonderful belt she -wore around her waist. It seemed to catch and hold the moonbeams and the -sparkle of the water. It was made of many strings of what appeared to be -the most beautiful wampum the boy had ever seen. (Wampum? Oh, you must -ask your mamma to tell you to-morrow what it is; this is not an -instructive tale, this is a fairy story.) But it was not wampum; the -beads were pearls. The boy had never seen or heard of pearls, so he -naturally decided that it was a belt of glorified wampum, and his heart -went out to it; he longed exceedingly to possess it, for he was -covetous. - -He floated down past the bar, and left the beautiful vision behind him; -but all night long he dreamed of the belt, and vowed to himself that he -would possess it, if the girl ever returned; so he set his wits to work -and devised a plan. He determined to capture her and demand the belt for -her ransom. He secured a stout deerskin, and concealing it in his canoe, -he entered and paddled a long distance up the river. He spent the day in -making out of the skin a strong noose, and practised throwing it until -he was perfect in the art. Then, when night came and the moon was -rising, he drifted as before down to the sand-bar. The beautiful girl in -the great shell was there, and around her waist shone the pearls. -Fortune favored him to-night, for she was asleep. He ventured near her, -his feet making no sound on the sands. When close enough he sprang -toward her, like a young panther on his prey. She jumped to her feet -with a cry, and the noose fell over her head, slipped down past her -shoulders, and pinioned her arms to her side. She tried to break away -from it, but it held her securely. Turning, she saw her captor; her eyes -flashed. - -"Cruel wretch!" she cried. "Why do you treat me thus? Have I not allowed -you the freedom of the waters, and because I thought that you loved -them, have I not guarded you from many dangers? Do you know who I am?" - -The boy answered, "I do not know, nor do I care. You must go with me to -the village; you shall be adopted into the tribe." - -In vain she implored him to set her at liberty; he would not listen. But -pretending finally to melt under her prayers and tears, he said, "I will -release you if you will give me that belt of wampum you wear around your -waist." - -The girl looked at him sternly. - -"Can I give away what is not mine? These pearls belong to the river; and -because I am the Spirit of the Waters, I am allowed to wear them. I will -loan them to you, but there are conditions. You must promise that while -you wear them you will refrain from cruel or cowardly deeds, and, -because your heart is evil, you must spend to-day (for day is breaking) -in the deep woods, fasting and alone, praying to the Great Spirit for a -heart pure enough to wear these pearls. If when the moon has waned and -grown bright again, the pearls are not dimmed and you have refrained -from evil, the belt may be given to you. But I know that you will not -keep it; I shall have it soon again." - -So saying, after he had loosed her hands a little, she unclasped her -belt and held it out to him. - -He snatched it rudely, and said boastfully, "What I get, I keep." - -Then he hastened to loose the thong, for he saw that daylight was -coming, and he feared that some one would find him there and compel him -to return the belt. - -The girl sprang into the shell; it closed, and sank with her into the -water, while the boy, overjoyed, made off with his prize. - -The pearls were very large, and seemed to shed a soft light around him. -He bound the belt around his waist; it was too short, but he lengthened -it out with strings. - -He entered at once into the deep wood to fast and pray to the Great -Spirit, as he had been told to do. But his mind was so fixed upon the -belt that he forgot to ask for a heart pure enough to wear it. When -evening came, he entered the village. It was the hour of rest after the -toils of the day, and men, women, and children were in front of their -tepees. Very haughtily he strode past his neighbors. Exclamations of -wonder and delight, and questions as to where he had obtained the belt, -assailed him. He answered that he had "found" it, but would not tell -where. - -His grandfather shook his head mysteriously; he did not believe that he -had found it. "The River Spirit is weaving her enchantments for the boy; -I fear for him greatly," he said. - -This made the boy very angry with the old man, and he treated him -rudely. - -Each day that he wore the belt he grew more insolent and vain. He spent -all his time in admiring himself and the belt. And each day the pearls -grew dimmer. He saw that they were fading, and he tried to brighten -them. He bathed them in the river and polished them with care, but they -did not regain their lustre. - -One night when the moon had waned and come again, he was out in his -canoe on the river. He had asked a younger boy to go with him, for he -feared that, if alone, the spirit would meet him. The child asked him -repeatedly where he had found the belt; finally becoming enraged at his -questions, the boy raised his paddle and struck him. He fell backward -into the water. The boy did not attempt to help him, but turned his back -upon him, and paddled swiftly away. - -The Spirit of the River saw it all, and hastening to the child, she bore -him safe to the shore. The boy hastened up the river until he saw with -alarm that he was near the sand-bar where he had secured the belt; and -when he felt a hand steadily drawing him to the bar, he was frantic with -fear. He resisted with all his might, but the canoe kept steadily on. -When it reached the bar, he was thrown violently out on to the sand, and -the boat drifted away bottom upward. He sprang to his feet, and was -confronted by the spirit; but now she was no delicate girl, but a woman, -strong and terrible. - -"Give me the pearls," she said, "and the river shall hide them -henceforth from the greed of mortals." The boy sullenly returned the -belt; and, at a word from the spirit, there came up through the sand and -from the river thousands of mussels. Each shell was gaping wide, and -into each she dropped a pearl. When all were gone, the shells closed -with a snap, and disappeared as quickly as they had come. - -The spirit turned to the boy. "Since you know the secret that the river -would keep, your lips must be always closed. Stay by these waters -forever, and search in vain for the pearls." - -So saying, she changed him into a sand-hill crane, and he may still be -seen, standing on the sand-bars, looking intently into the water for the -pearls. - - -"We have seen him," cried the children. "He was over on that sand-bar, -on the other side of the river, this afternoon." - -By and by the smallest child said, softly, "I am sorry for that poor, -naughty, sandhill crane." - - - - - XII. - THE MIST LADY. - - -There was once a little girl who was not like other girls at all; for -instead of running and jumping and dancing, she could only walk a little -way, and she had to have two crutches to help her. All day long she sat -in her chair and kept quite busy reading, or playing "just pretend;" for -you know when you play "pretend," you can change yourself to a fairy, or -a bird, or an enchanted princess, or anything you have in mind; and -then, of course, the time passes swiftly. So the little girl's days -passed pleasantly. But at night, after she was in her bed, and the house -was quiet, and every one asleep, the pain would come, and that was so -dreadful that the tears would follow. Now the little girl's hands were -lame, and it was difficult to wipe away the tears; so that she had to -leave them in her eyes, and sometimes because of them she could not see -the kind old moon that shone down on her bed, or the bright stars that -danced and sparkled for her. - -One night the little girl was very sorrowful, for she had heard the -doctor telling her mother that she would never be any better, and that -she might live many years before the kind death-angel came for her. - -And now the tears had entirely blotted out the moonlight; everything was -in a blur. She was trying to brush them away, when the sweetest, softest -voice said, "Do not brush them away, dear; open your eyes wide and look -at me." - -She did as the voice commanded, and saw the loveliest, strangest lady -that one can imagine. She was so tall, so fair, with such bright eyes, -smiling lips, soft waving hair; and she seemed made of some material so -fine and delicate, that the little girl felt that, if she would try to -smooth her face or clasp her hand, she would feel only substance light -as air. - -Her dress was a soft, floating, waving material like the most delicate -chiffon; it waved and floated about her with every motion. She bent down -and kissed the little girl's forehead, and the kiss was like a soft -breath of damp air on her face. The sweet voice spoke. - -"If you had wiped the tears away, you could not have seen me, for I am -one of the children of the Mist. Come with me, little Princess of tears; -you shall be one of us, and I will show you where we dwell." - -So the little girl took the Mist Lady's hand, and they passed through an -open window. - -The little girl found herself floating softly along through the -moonlight beside her companion. Her garments were like the lady's, of -the softest, finest, misty chiffon, and seemed to bear her up as though -she floated on a fleecy cloud. - -The lady said: "Even tears are not in vain, for these garments you wear -are woven of the tears you have shed. You could not have gone with me -without them." - -The little girl laughed and said, "How strange that I should ever be -thankful for the tears I have shed!" - -And the lady answered, "Some day, when it is over, you will be thankful -for the pain also." - -But the little girl thought that would be impossible. - -So they floated happily along. They stopped to breathe on some drooping -flowers that a careless child had neglected. They crossed a great river, -and presently they came to a mighty cataract. - -"Here is our home, and here are the children of the Mist," said the -lady. - -The little girl held her breath in astonishment, and so would any other -earth-child at what she saw. For, whirling, floating, dancing over the -cataract, on the shore, diving headlong down the mighty fall with the -water, floating up again from the abyss, were myriads of beautiful -forms. There were large and small, smaller than the little girl. - -The Mist Lady's eyes sparkled; she held out her hand; "Come, little -Princess," she said, "let us join them." But the little girl drew back. - -"Oh, I cannot; I am afraid. Do you go, and I will watch you from this -bank." - -"Well, then; but sit here where some of us can be with you every moment, -or your garments will wax old and fall from you, and how then will you -reach your home?" - -So the little girl sat close to the falls, where the Mist children -encircled her, clasped her in their arms, kissed her face, and made much -of her. They sang for her and told her wonderful stories of the upper -air, of cloud-land and its palaces. - -The little girl loved the Mist children dearly, for they were so dainty -and graceful, so kind and loving. And they in return loved and pitied -the little "Princess of tears," for they knew her story well; they had -listened in the night to her sighs, had wept with her, had often lulled -her to sleep by tapping on the window pane. So they were old friends of -hers. - -By and by the Mist Lady came to her more fair and radiant than ever. - -"Come, little Princess, let us go; for we must meet the dawn-angel near -your home." - -So the little girl waved a last farewell to the Mist children, and -contentedly placed her hand in the hand of her guide; and they floated -on, around mountain peaks, over fair valleys, and over the bosom of a -clear lake, where the moonlight was sleeping. - -Presently the eastern sky grew rosy; and flying toward them from its -radiance, came a great white angel bearing in his arms golden shafts of -light. The lady and the little girl veiled their faces as he passed them -by. Then, hastening home, the little girl found herself in bed just as -the sun's first beams kissed her face. The Mist Lady had whispered to -her that she would come again; so she sank into a quiet, happy sleep, -and her mother found her smiling, when she came to help her to dress. - -Now the little girl and the doctor were great friends; for although the -doctor was strong and well, and laughed a great deal, he knew how to -pity little ones who were different from other children. - -The little girl told him all her fancies and dreams, when he had time to -listen; and the next time that he came, she told him about the Mist Lady -and her journey. - -The doctor was greatly interested, and said, "Do you know, little girl, -I intend to stay here all night, sometime; perhaps I may see the Mist -Lady too." But the little girl said, "Doctor, it will not be any use for -you to stay, you laugh too much; you can see the Mist Lady only when -your eyes are full of tears." - -And the doctor said, "I really must cure this bad habit of laughing." - -The little girl said, "I do not want you changed the least tiny bit." - -So they were better friends than ever. - -Not many nights after, the doctor stood by his little friend. She was -asleep, with a happy smile on her face; for the time for pain was all -past, and she knew now why it had been allowed. The doctor was not -laughing; he saw his little friend's face through tears; and, glancing -from her face to the foot of the little white bed, he saw the Mist Lady -kneeling, with her face hidden in her hands. - -And the little "Princess of tears" has a new name now. - - - - - Transcriber's Notes - - ---Copyright notice provided as in the original--this e-text is public - domain in the country of publication. - ---Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and - dialect unchanged. - ---In the text versions, delimited italicized text within _underscores_. - - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Stories of Enchantment, by Jane Pentzer Myers - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STORIES OF ENCHANTMENT *** - -***** This file should be named 50931.txt or 50931.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/9/3/50931/ - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson, Dave Morgan, Rod Crawford -and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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