National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-04-25

birds sing more sweetly, the flowers
look gayer, the nearer they came to her
abode, as she had done with Elsie. But
when any one entered who wished to
rescue child from her, or to discover
her habitation, she made the forest that
surrounded it so dense, dark, and i'm
penetrable that no one dreamed of en-
terng there. And if any person, more
courageous or desperate than the rest,
attempted this, she caused noxious ami
mails to meet them, and the ground to
become marshy, and sink beneath their
feet.
Several days the count sought his lit
tie girl, till he had to give up in des-
pair. Long and bitterly the parents
mourned her, and gave her up as lost.
g If we only knew how it all happen
cdr walled the countess I" if she had
even died in my arms it would have
been better. Now how do l know but
that she be living in misery, ill-treat-
ed by cruel people p
She wept as she spoke. Her husband
had no comfort to offer her, and they
both sat silently staring into the fire,
by the side of which they were sitting
A beautiful fire it was, piled high with
logs and Goals to the top of the CRATE
and it sparkled and cracked, danced
and hickered, quite regardless Of the
two sad mortals who sat gazing into its
depths. AS the flames leaped in playful
fury they split large mass of coal
which had hitherto escaped their de-
vouring tongues. Opening thus in half,
it revealed tiny gray speck, which
vaulted briskly cut of the black clump
ON to the fender. The count stopped
down to examine it, and found, to his
intense astonishment, that it was little
being who was complaining sorely of
the enforced Imprisonment he had sus-
tanned in the coal. The countess lifted
him gently in her hand, and asked what
allied him.
Ny name is Eye" he said. Il am
gnome, and my home is underground,
very near to where the Goals are found.
We had been playing hide-andseek one
day, ! and my brothers, and / hid in
this piece of coal, which had a large
crack. / had hardly hidden there when
| heard great hammering. Before !
&C uld recover my courage, or find out
what was happening, the block that in
closed me was 10. sened from its parent
coal We were carried up to earth. /
lost all consciousness after that, and
only just now the great heat restored
me. Oh, if you would aid me in re-
turning to my home, / should be so
grateful ~ The little mite looked up to
the countess with pleading face.
=" If we can, most certainly" she
answered. "Ahl would that any one
could restore tous our child T.
"Why do you sigh o?" asked the
gnome.
The countess related her trouble. |
The tiny gray figure sprans upon her !
shoulder the better to hear what she |
was saying. When she had ceased he |
was silent some time.
Your child" he said at length, "has
got into the power of a wicked fairy
called Winnabelle. She lives in the
wood. You cannot penetrate there, for
by her enchantment she makes it i'm
passable. Restore me to my home,
and in return l will teach you to break
the spell that now parts you from your
Elsie"
The unhappy parents consented most
gladly.
Next morning the count started upon
his journey, the little man safely en-
sconced in his hat. They had not far
to GO for the counts castle lay on the
confines of the mine down which the
gnome, whom he frequently consulted
rs TO the route, said he must descend.
When they had been lowered the count
asked if this was the spot.
II &c ip1aaI - nrioJ fbo 1iff1a ha.
ing, gleefully. Now wait for me
while / go for the promised charm"
The count leaned against wall of
,oal 1t was all so black and dismal, so
strangely warm and close down there, he
,ould not tell how the time went on, but
t seemed as if Eye had been absent
ong, He almost began to fear lest he
vas about to play him false, and at last
lis fear was beginning to gain the mas
cry. Just then he heard the gnome
painting toward him.
"I'm coming" he said. Sorry-to
lave kept-you so-long; butts a
,reat-load for-me, and L had-some
title trouble-to find one. They're
lift me up l can't Jump with it in my
lands."
"See here" he went on, when his re,
Iuest had been complied with, and he
lad regained breath "here is pre-
,ious stone, called sapphire. 1t has
,een wrought with great exertion and
are by our slaves. This stone frees
rom all enchantment. Used with sim
,leness of heart and faith, you can not
all to succeed in your quest. Adieu.
The gnome Eyes good wishes and graf
tude follow you"
The count returned home, holding his
precious blue stone-care-
ully in his hand. Accompanied by his
rife, he set ont at once into the wood,
heir hearts beating high with expecta-
ion. The sapphire guided them in the
Erection they should take by flashes of !
light. When they neared the
ense forest, usually so lmpenetrable, it
Il changed into fair woodland paths at .
light of the stone, and the anxious pa
ents passed in safety to the marble /
ouse. They entered, turning neither
0 right nor left. They did not stay to
dmire its beauties, but walked straight =.
D the throne-room, where Winnabelle
at in state, surrounded by the child t
en-.
When she saw the count and countess I
ONE in she stared in amazed anger {
Iardly had the count opened his hand '
nd revealed his lovely gem than her I
ace became first of an ashy hue, then {
gly and shriveled then she shrunk |
nd shrunk, trembling violently, and at q
lst vanished in smoke, leaving bad c
dor behind her. I
Instantly the lovely house, the beau {
full gardens, disappeared also, and all t
ne boys and girls were standing round a