Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-02
INVITED INTO THE CAVE.

IL grows deep In the forest and blooms only
a few hours. When the lake is frozen over,
and the Ice snaps and cracks, that il the
Water King trying TO get out, and whenever
You see large, round hole in the ice stay
away from H. for that Is where the Water
King watches for his victims
All the rest of that dHy, the children
played at being carried away by the Water
King, and when night came, they went to
sleep to dream o. coral palaces aud fairy
gardens. The next morning dawned bright,
cold and clear. The rain had ceased falling,
a light snow covered the ground and a
thick coating OF ice was spread over the
lake. To two healthy children like Conrad
and Gertrude, such a morning was a de-
light and with their skates and sled they
were soon out in the frosty air.
LET us 90 to the lake, said Conrad,
land while | try my new skates, l shall
draw you on your sled"
The two little folk then set off for day
of pleasure The wind had blown the snow
away from the lake, and Conrad, drawing
the sled, glided rapidly over the smooth
surface. Suddenly, loud, cracking noise
was heard.
There" cried Gertrude, "the Water
King is trying 10 get out And, oh, Con-
rad" she screamed in terror, "there is the
round hole about which grandmamma told
MS. Let us hurry away"
"You are foolish, Gertrude" +" said Conrad,
''that was only story. See what beau
tiful fish is in the water, and l believe 1
can catch it.
And, without needing his sisters cries,
Conrad ran toward the hole and took the
fish, which suddenly seemed to have such
great strength that it pulled the boy into
the water, and he sank beneath the cold
4, n
trude hastened home to tell the SAD news,
and beg that some one would rescue her
brother. But poor Conrad was past help,
and all the village mourned for the
bright little boy whom everybody
knew. Gertrude was sure that her
brother had been carried away by the
Water King, and now was suffering
torture in the coral palace. She determined
to seek for the Flower OF Life, and early the
next morning, before the sun was up, she
set out on her search. She sought the most
lonely parts of the forest, and with her ewes
fixed on the ground, she walked slowly
along in quest OF the flower. The sun had
risen and noon came. still the little girl was
unsuccessful. As evening approached, and
Gertrude had grown cold and weary, she
saw in the snow tiny footprints. Follow
log the direction Of these she came to a cave
in the side of the hill, from which shone a
bright light Peering curiously through
the opening, she saw a rocky cave, brightly
lighted, and occupied by dozen or more
little men not more than a foot high, wear
ing green cloaks and red caps. The pleasant
faces OF these little creatures made Gertrude
think that they might help her, and taking
a piece of stone, lying near, she Knocked
loudly against the side of the cave. Imme-
diately one Of the dwarfs, who seemed to be
the leader of the band, rushed to the en-
trance, CRYING: who wishes to disturb us
in our homer"
81 have no wish to disturb you," an
swered Gertrude, ''but have come to ask
your help.
When the dwarf saw the little girl, cold
and faint with hunger, he bade her enter,
and led the way into the large, warm room,
where his companions looked curiously at
their unexpected guest Gertrude was
given a stool before blazing fire, and when
warm food had been brought the dwarf said:
"And now. my little friend, what can we
90 for you? Tell us your story, and if it is
in our power TO help you, we shall gladly do
so.''
When Gertrude had told how her brother
had been carried away by the Water King,
and that she was searching for the Flower of
Life. the dwarf said: 1.-The Flower of Life
belongs to us, and we bestow 1t only upon
those who are good and true Stay with us
till morning, then you shall have the
flower and save your brother"
Having full confidence in her friends,
Gertrude slept sweetly all night long, and
in the morning was awakened by the dwarf,