Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-17

had gone to the shore to see the shin set
sail, and so great was her disappointment
that she paid little heed to the loving
words OF her father and brother, who prom.
ised TO return soon, and bring with them
rich gifts. After watching the vessel until
she was no longer able to recognize Victor
or the Count, the lonely child, weeping bit
ter tears turned her steps toward the castle.
'Helga, said voice near by, "why are
you weeping?"
Helga looked an0ut in astonishment: but
her eyes were so blinded by tears that she
could see no one The question was re-
peated, and this time the little girl saw
standing before her beautiful creature, ar
raycd IN shining white garments.
"Ao on are surprised to see me and hear me
call YOU by name, - said the stranger while
a kindly smile played over her lovely face,
'fbut l have known you for long time, and
/ also knew your mother / have heard
your wish to leave this cold, dreary island.
and have come to show you a land more
beautiful even than Italy NY kingdom is
noT far away. ] have command over all
the fairies of the North. VIII you 90 with
me?'
Helga, trustingly, gave her hand to the
fairy, and with her ascended the rough
coast. When they reached the cliff. the
Fairy pressed her hand against the rock, and
a moment later Helga was in a land more
beautiful than any of which she had ever
dreamed. There were the sunny blue
skies, the sweet, bright flowers and the soft,
warm Air. There, too, the birds sang mer-
rliy i'll the trees, and crystal fountains
sparklcd and sEOnc in the sunlight. When
the little girl had fcasted her ewes on the
beauties around her, and had gently touched
the flowers ard grass, she said: ''Kind
Fairy, l thank you many, many times for
this sight cf your beautiful land, and now.
when the island seems dreary and cold, 1
caali think Of your bright, sunny garden and
forget the gloom about me'
why can y0u not stay with me?" asked
the Fairy, ''then your life would be all sun
shine.
"When my father and brother return
replied Helga, ''they would find the castle
very lonely without me-"
AT least stay until your father returns
said the Fairy.
Helga's eyes frightened at the thought.
and she gladly accepted the kind invitation
Every day was filled with pleasure. Fairv-
land was so wonderful to the little girl
whose whole life had been spent on the
frozen island, and was it any wonder that
with such attention as was shown to her
that she was at last persuaded to think that
lASI ldbllCl anu DIollltl NOulu sOOn grow
customed to her absence, and that she would
be happier in fairyland? So the time
glided away, constantly bringing new ioys,
until finally all thought of returning to the
island was abandoned.
After Helga had been away from her
home for several years, it happened that the
Fairy must visit her other realms across the
sea. She babe Helga loving farewell, and,
after promising TO return in seven DAYS, she
left her in command of the kingdom; but de-
manded that she would not pass through the
gate of rock. Helga greatly enjoyed being
Fairy Queen. Her little subjects were very
attentive, and the seven days passed rapidly
away. But when the eighth, ninth, tenth,
and even eleventh days had gone, and still
the Fairy did not appear, Helga became
very anxious, and feared lest some accident
had beiallen her friend. On the evening of
the twelfth day the little girl could no long
er endure the anxiety.
Il must go" she said "and see if her little
boat Is not coming over the waves. Surely
the Fairy will forgive me if disohnv her
only this once
Helga pressed her hands against the
rocky gate, and was once more on the bleak
island. The sun had just set, and twilight
was fast spreading over the shore. On
cliff. overhanging the water, Helga could