The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1895-12-19

charm that Will show you this heart"
here was comfort indeed, and with
lgnt heart Gustavus thanked his friend
and bounded forward
Lett alone the wizard continued down
the mountain side until he came in sight
or the Widow Neur's chalet, where he
found Marie sitting by the spring Instead
OF her usual sunshiny smile tiny teardrops
stood in her eyes, and there was grieved
look about her rosy lips that made him
wish to comfort her
What is the matter, little one?" he
,sked gently.
"Oh, SIR" she said, 81 want to see the
great fete next week, and 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 in sur
prise.
Because cannot talk and laugh with
| them rs other maidens do. My heart beats
| fast if they do but glance toward me, and
know not what to say, and so''-here tear
slipped from under the long eyelashes-
my mother says had better not CO."
Courage, little one," the wizard an
swered. Tell your mother" he added
suddenly, that am going to lend you
silver belt to wear, and that my knowledge
| tells me that the bravest, handsomest
| 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 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 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 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 a curious circlet of iron, with
| fiat extension, which the wizard babe him
wear pointing toward his palm.
| When the fete day came Gustavus was
there among the other young men, eager to
| try his charm.
| All the maidens of Obdagin canton were
there also, and on the outskirts of one of
the gay crowds little Marie lowered timidly
beside her mother.
| "Why didst thou come, Marie?" asked
one of the girls.
| "Didst thou think any youth would want
to dance with a mouse today?" asked an
other.
Then seeing the quick tears trembling
on Marie's lashes, she added more kindly:
"Ah, well, thou canst at least see our
| good times"
"What lovely belt thou hast, Marie"
cried another maiden. "Where didst thou
| get it?''
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 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 Gnstavus danced with
| 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 girl! But
| as / promised to dance with all / will try
| her too"
He asked her name of one of the girls,
/ or1 tbop coipcr N her said SimDlV:
"Marie. wilt thou dance with me?"
Astonishment and delight made Marie
| for moment forget her shyness. The
| wizards words had come true!
Rising quickly, she said, smiling upon
| him and showing her beautiful eyes, al
| ready dancing with delight, and the dear
| little dimple in her cheek. cart thou
| Gomez"
eShe is not SO plain after all. thoughs
Gustavus as he answered:
"Wast thou looking for me, MarleT
Marie hung her head without answering,
and Gustavus, wondering a little at her
| words, led her to the dance.
AS he placed his arm around her Nh
hand touched her shining belt.
Instantly strange thrill ran through
them both and Gustavus' arm seemed to
cling to Marie's waist.
Marie, didst thou feel that?" he c-s--I
earnestly.
And Marie smilingly answered;
Eyes"
So they began dancing, and as they
danced it seemed to those watching them
| that a wonderful transformation came over
| Marie.
Her hair. shaken loose from its long, stiff
braids. hung like a glittering golden veil
all around her, her beautiful eyes shone
like stars. and the dimpled cheeks and
| nearly teeth formed fit hiding place for
| tbe laughing voice that now and then rang
sweet and clear from her rosy lips. Not
one of the village maidens was half SO talr
IS shell
"Surelv." said the amazed villagers,
| .stbere was never such a handsome couple.
"But is not Marie under charm"
cried others, "she has suddenly grown SO
lovely?" o,e
| and said:
"Iove's witchery, if it is true and pure,
will transform all of us and bring out all
that is loveliest and best within US.
AS for Gustavus, he thought rightly that
he had never seen so good and oeau1iiui
creature, and he blessed the wizard Ior 'ne
charm which had led his heart TO ner.
Long before the summer ended Gusta-
vus took home Marie to be his own ana
his mothers greatest joy and happiness
when M. lie Wizard returned to Paris
chat winter he read scientific paper be
fore the savapts 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
| taresting of all-how, by the aid OF little
| magnet. concealed IN steel belt' anu