The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-11-14


swered. "rell your mother" he added
suddenly, that am going to lend you a
silver belt to wear, and that my knowledge
tells me that the bravest, handsonlest
youth in all the land will dance with you
quite joyfully."
The happy Marie thanked the wizard as
Gustavus had done and ran Off to tell the
wonderful news To her mother.
Early next morning Gustavus went for
his charm. He found the wizard waiting
for him, and taking him into his strange
room the wise man said, smiling as he lad
the day before, half quizzically, half sym
patheticaly:
"Here's the charm, my good fellow. You
see it is IA magic ring. Put it on before you
go to the fete, and be sure You dance with
every maiden there When you place your
arm about the waist of the one whose heart
is true and good a strange feeling will run
through you, and your hand will cling to
her. But you must be sure that you dance
with alp
Gustavus, greatly wondering, thanked
the wizard and slipped on the ring.
1t was curious circlet of iron, with
fiat extension, which the wizard bade him
wear pointing toward his palm.
When the fcte day came Gustavus was
there among the other young men, eager to
try his charm.
All the madens of Obdagin canton were
there also, and on the outskirts of one Of
the gay crowds little Marie hovered timidly
beside her mother.
"Why didst thou come, Marief" asked
one of the girls.
"Didst thou think any youth would want
to dance with mouse todayH asked an
other.
Then seeing the quick tears trembling
on Marie's lsshes, she added more kindly:
"Ah, well, thou canst at least see our
good times"
"What lovely belt thou hast, Mariel"
cried another maiden. "Where didst thou
get iti"
1.-THE wizard gave 1t her." the Widow
Neur answered shortly, for she did not
relish the girls tone, and she drew her
daughter away.
"Come, Marie, let us sit here under the
trees and watch the dance"
Marie nestled close to her mothers side,
and as the hours fed and no youth asked
her to dance her head dropped lower and
lower, and she wondered if the wise man
had made a mistake.
In the meantime Gustavus danced with
one after another of the maids. but though
he watched with intense eagerness not
once did he feel the strange thrill for
which he waited
81 have danced with them ALL" he said
at last to himself, except that shy one
over there; surely she is not the grill But
as / promised to dance with all will try
her too"
He asked her name Of one of the girls,
and then going to her said simply:
"Marie, wilt thou dance with me2"
Astonishment and delight made Marie
for moment forget her shyness. The
wizards words had come truel
Rising quickly, she said, smiling upon
him and showing her beautiful eyes, al
ready dancing with delight, and the dear
little dimple in her check, "Art thou
comef'
"She is not so plain after ALL" thought
Gustavus as he answered:
"Wast thou looking for me, Marie2"
Marie hung her head without answering
and Gustavus, wondering little at her
words, led her to the dance.
AS he placed his arm around her his
hand touched her shining belt.
Instantly a strange thrill ran through
them both and Gustayus' arm scented to
cling to Maries waist.
Marie, didst thou feel thatS" he cried
earnestly.
And Marie smilingly answered;
"Yes"
30 they began dancing, and as they
danced it seemed to those watching them
that wonderful transformation came over
Marie.
Her hair, shaken loose from its long, stiff
braids, hung like glittering golden veil
all around her, her beautiful eyes shone
like stars, and the dimpled cheeks and
pearly teeth formed a fit hiding place for
the laughing voice that now and then rang
sweet and clear from her rosy lips. Not
! one of the village maidens was half DO fair
| as shell
"Surely." said the amazed villagers,
"there was never such handsome couple" !"
"But is not Marie under charm
cried others. "she has suddenly grown so
lovely?"
But the Widow Neur smiled to herself
and said:
"Love's witchery, If it is true and pure,
will transform all of us and bring out all
that is lovsliest and best within u.s."
As for Gustavus, he thought rightly that
he had never seen SO good and beautiful a
creature, and he blessed the wizard fpr the
charm which had led his heart to her
Long before the summer ended Gusta-
vus took home Marie to be his own and
his mothers greatest joy and happiness.
When NJ. lie Wizard returned to Paris
that winter he read scientific paper be-
| fore the savants of the academy.
In it he detailed many of his wonderful
discoveries and his work during the sum.
mer. But he did not speak Of the most in
terestinG of all-how, by the aid of little
magnet, concealed in steel belt, and a
rude ring, he had brought together two
loving human hearts, and by so doing had
caught some OF the happiness of paradise
and imprisoned IL in chalet on old OBJ
gadin mountain.-Anna Pierpont Siviter
| In Pittsburg Bulletin. ..-+=