The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-11-30

at her mother that the queen could
not refuse, and that afternoon two
people walked out of the palace
gates, the old woman and the Prin-
cess.
The latter hobbled some, for she
could scarcely walk in the stout
leather shoes the old woman had in
sisted on her wearing. Her pretty
hair was coiled neatly under cap,
and her gown was home-spun.
They walked on till they came to
the forest. The setting sun shone
through the branches of the trees with
warm, rosy light; the birds twittered
their evening lullabies, and the leaves
rustled in the cool breeze that blew
fresh and strong from the mountains.
But the Princess was too tired to
appreciate this beauty; and when
they finally came to the forester's cot
tsge at the edge of the wood, she
couldn't repress cry of delight.
The two travellers were kindly re-
ceived by the forester's wife, and as
the Princess was nearly ready to drop
with fatigue, she was given some sup
per and went to bed. When she
awoke the next morning she found
the old woman had gone, but the
forester's wife said she expected her
back again, and the Princess was to
stay with them in the meantime.
There was little trunk in the corner
marked with her initials, and her
room pleased the Princess, it was so
neat and dainty.
The new life was very different
from anything to which the Princess
had been accustomed, but the novel
ty was pleasant. Margot and Franz,
the forester's children, were delighted
to have this beautiful young girl for
companion, and did all they could
to amuse her. She was treated ex-
actly like one of the family, and was
set little tasks which she performed
clumsily enough at first, but gradu
ally grew more proficient.
In the evenings when the work was
done they would would sit on the
cottage porch, and Franz would play
to them on his violin. 1t was beauti-
full music. The Princess listened
eagerly.
"Who taught you to play like
that?" she asked.
'No one. The birds sing and the
flowers and trees whisper such beau
tiful things to me-" And he drew
the bow lovingly across the instru-
ment as one would caress child.
81 think it is the angels" said the
little sister, reverently. "Franz is
saving up his money to go to the big
city and learn all about music. All,
he will be great and famous some
day, won't you, dear?"
But Franz only laughed, and for
answer ran away whistling.
The Princess was very much inter
ested, and the three children built
many an air-castle in which Franz
always figured as the hero.
But these happy days were not to
last. One morning the Princess
found Margot crying bitterly.
"Oh, Blossom, the dear mother is
soill," she sobbed; land what will we
dol"
The Princess comforted her as best
she could. But she was young and
inexperienced, and such sorrow as
this was new to her.
The forester's wife was i'll for some
time, and once they thought she
would die; but the prayers sent up
to heaven were answered, and slowly
her strength came back, to the child
ren's great joy.
One evening the two girls were
standing at the gate watching the sun
as it sank, ball Of fire, behind the
hills. Across the stiffness foated the
strains of plaintive little air.
Listen" said the Princess, as the
music rose and fell in soft, sobbing
breaths. at sounds as if some one
were crying"
"Perhaps," said the little sister,
gently; "but it is only Franz play
ing"
The Princess felt the tears rising
as she listened to the sad, sweet mu-
sic. HE is sorry tonight" she said,
in her quaint way.
Margaret nodded. "He is sorry and
happy both together" she said. "Oh,
how | wish he could have gonel"
"Gone where?" asked the Princess.
"To the city. Didn't you know7
He can't go now because the money
he saved he spent for Mother, and it