Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-28

tent: vet she knew not why. Her every
wish was granted almost before it was
spoken. The choicest flowers bloomed for
her and the most precious gems were show
ereC upon her. One day, as the Princess
walked through the broad avenues in the
wide park, she thought: "Why are the
skies always so blue, and why do the trees
and grass continually wear that tiresome
dress? 1 wish that some fairy would come,
and by her magic art would change this
scene, which is always the same, and give
some other color TO the leaves, and add some
whiteor gray to the blue of the sky.
Thus musing, Helga continued her way
through tine park without noticing that she
was wandering farther than usual, and in
paths she had never seen before, until
finally she spied a wicket gate, almost hid.
den by the bushes, and in the lock of which
was a small, rusty key. Curiosity prompted
the Princess TO open the gate. When she
had done so she discovered narrow,
densely shaded path, from which many
steps led into what seemed to be cave.
Fear was unknown to the Princess, and de-
lighted at the thought of an adventure, she
boldly advanced. But as she descended the
steps the air became so chill that Helga in
her light lace dress shivered from cold, and
In the dim twilight about her, she could
see nothing else than high walls, which
enclosed the narrow steps on both sides.
As the Princess continued her way, the air
became colder and colder, until Helga could
feel the blood freeze in her veins, and unable
20 proceed farther she sank exhausted on
the ground, How long she lay there she
knew not, but she was aroused by gentle
shake, and starting up she found herself
covered with warm furs and lying under q
pine tree. A bright face with merry,
laughing eyes was bending over her, and a
sweet voice said: "Are you better now? ]
was afraid when found you that you were
frozen, but l have wrapped you in fur;
until think you are warm"
Helga now saw that the voice belonged to
q little girls larger than herself, and she
answered.: "Oh, am better now; but pray
tell me where 1 am. What has become o
the green grass and the flowers, and what
is this white covering spread over the
ground?"
At these questions, the stranger laughed
merrily and said: "You are in the king.
dom of the Winter King. Have you never
heard of his beautiful, snow-covered realm?"
81 know nothing of the Winter King"
replied Helga, 81 thought my father was
the only king, and yet you do not seem to
know him."
"No," answered the little girl, "I have
never seen him; but have heard of his
kingdom, and know that where he reigns
there is continual summer. But come, and
let me show you the beauties of our home
and see il our people are not just as happy
as yours"
81 shall come again." said Helga, "but
now 1 must return to my iather, for already
have been away too long"
Il am sorry," said the little stranger
"but whoever enters this realm eanno
leave without the permission of the King
am the Kings only daughter, and am called
Frolic, because I am always SO gay and
happy. l shall take you to my father, but
fear that it will be some time before you
can reach home, for the palace is at the
other end of the kingdom, and the distancs
is great"
Frolic then drew a silver whistle from
her pocket, and when, she had sounded it
to Heiga's great establishment, sleigh made
wholly of crystal ice and cut in the form Of
large flower, and lined with the softes
furs, appeared. Instead o! horses, there
were four polar bears, around whose neck:
were strings of silver bells, which rang mer
rlly with every motion. As Helga and hel
friend sped over the hard surface of the
frozen snow, Frolic told of her home, and
of her mother, who was called Queen Ice.
heart, because through her power the lakes
and rivers became solid masses of ice.
In the beginning OF the journey, Helga
saw only wide plain covered with snow
but soon all kinds OF strange animals, such
as she had never seen before, appeared.
Then sleighs filed with gay parties went by,
and Helga noticed that everyone bowed with
respect as the royal sleigh passed. When
they reached large forest of pine trees,
FroIic said:1'Now we must 60 on foot for