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diff --git a/old/50931.txt b/old/50931.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 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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