The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-10-25
fail to recognize 1T. However, II you viii

come to me tomorrow will give you a
charm that will show you this heart"
Here was comfort indeed, and with
light heart Gustavus thanked his friend
and bounded forward
Left alone the wizard continued down
the mountain side until he came in sight
OF the Widow Neur's chalet, where he
found Marie sitting by the spring. Instead
OF her usual Sunsliiny smile tiny teardrops
stood i'll her eyes. and there was u grieved
look about her rosy lips that made him
wish to comfort her.
What is the matter, little one2" lie
asked gently.
oh SIR" she said. IL want to see the
great fete next week, and l have no pretty
ornaments to wear, and them The long
curtains dropped over her shining eyes and
the sweet voice sank almost to Il whisper
1.-The good mother says none Of the
young men will care to dance with me-"
but why?" asked the wizard i'll sur
prise.
Because cannot talk and laugh with
them rs other madens do. My heart beats
fast if they do but glance toward me. and
know not what to say, and so''-lierc Il tear
slipped from under the long eyelushes-
my mother says had better not go"
Courage, little one" the wizard an.
swered. Tell your mother" he added
suddenly, that am going to lend you Il
silver belt to wear, ana that my knowledge
tells me that the bravest, handsomest
youth in all the land will dance with you
quite ioyfully"
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 had
the day before, half quizzically. half sym
pathetically:
"Here's the charm, my good fellow. You
see it is magic ring. Put it on before you
go to the fete, and he sure You dance with
every maiden there. When you place your
arm about the waist of the one whose heart
Is true and good II strange feeling will run
through you, and your hand will cin., 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 II curious circlet of iron, with n
flat extension, which the wizard babe hin,
wear pointing toward his palm.
When the fete day came Gustavus was
there among the other young men. eager To
try his charm.
there also, and on the outskirts of one Of
the gay crowds little Marie lowered timidly
beside her mother.
"Why didst thou come, Marief" asked
one Of the girls.
"Didst thou think any youth would want
to dance with u mouse today?" asked an
other.
Then seeing the quick tears trembling
on Marie's lashes, she added more kindly:
'Ah, well, thou canst mt least see our
good times"
''What n lovely belt thou hast, Marie"
cried another maiden. "Where didst thou
get itf"
1.-The wizard gave it 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 fled and no youth asked
her to dance her head dropped lower and
lower, and she wondered If the wise man
had made 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
Mt last to himself, Except that shy one
over there; surely she is not the girl! 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 me?"
Astonishmcnt and delight made Marie
for moment forget her shyness. The
wizards words had coma truci
Rising quickly, she said, smiling upon
him and showing her beautiful eyes, al
ready dancing with delight, and the dean
little dimple in her cheek, "Art thou
Gomez"
''She is not so plain after all" thought
Gustavus us he answered:
VAST thou looking for me, Marie?"
Marie hung her head without answering,
and Gustavus, wondering II little at hei
words, led her to the dance.
As he placed his arm around her his
hand touched her shining belt.
Instantly II strange thrill ran through
them both and Gustavus' arm seemed tc
cling to Marie's waist.
Marie, didst thou feel that?" he cried
earnestly.
And Marie smilingly answered:
Yes"
So they began dancing, and as they
danced it seemed TO those watching them
that II wonderful transformation came over
Marie
Her hair, shaken loose from it's long, stiff
braids, hung like n glttering golden veil
all around her, her beautiful eyes shone
like stars, and the dimpled checks and
pcarly teeth formed fit hiding place fol-
the laughing voice that now and then rang
sweet and clear from her rosy lips. Not
one of the village maidens was half SO fair
Us she!
surely" said the amazed villagers,
there was never such Il handsome couple"
"Bnt is not Aiarie under charm"
cried others, she has suddenly grown SO