The age-herald., 1901-09-29
Tbe Story of the Ponsies.
BY MARY GIBSON.

all three receiving the hand and riches of the Princess as reward.
 All the rest of the night the Courtiers talked eagerly among themselves about the great event. The Princess and her maids had retired behind Il huge shrub and only a whisper or soft laughter now and then told that there was excitement among them, too.
 IT the tasks are trials of strength, I think l can win,' said one Prince, as he compla- gently looked at his reflection in a chance puddle. His costume of black and gold set off his tall figure, but his dark eyes showed that he knew 1t well. He was rich and hand some' and had won many prizes when the fairies held their contests. But he boasted and had not many friends.
 on the edge of the company, all by him ser, sat one little fairy; not a Prince, not even holding position in the Court. yet the King had granted him place among them. His only possessions were the few inches of earth where his roots had taken firm hold, nimbe brain and willing hands. which were always eager to help the King and little Princess in any way. His quiet suit of tan and brown made him different rom the other pansies, and often the eyes Of the Princess would turn from the gor geous purples, crimsons. yellows and even from her own dazzling whiteness. to the sturdy figure at the edge of the pansy bed.
 lie sat there now, very quiet, but hardly aole to wait until the herald should call than hon
 win the Princess, although he was afraid he could not, as he looked at the crowd of Courtiers waiting
 At last the moment came, and one by one the fairies knelt before the King. as he told them what their task should be. Many of them came away with a smile on their faces, for the tasks sounded so easy tha. each one was sure he would accomplis.. them all.
 How foolish!" said the black and gold Prince to hts nelghbor as they walked back to their homes in readiness for the dawn. ''The Princess does not like the scent of the marigolds over there and she wants 1t removed in some way, does she? We'll, what IS easier than for all of us to go to work and in one night we could easily cut them down.
 What good would that do?" demanded his companion, splendid fellow all in orange and red. Gardener Joe would plant them all again, and, besides, that would give us all an equal chance"
 'To be sure," assented the Prince. 'I had not thought of that" for he was stupid if Ii, was handsome. As the dawn came just then they sprang quickly to their places, but every fairy thought busiy that day and sen, anxious glances at the Princess,
 The King had allowed them a night for each task, three in all, and before each dawn those who thought they had conquered the difficulty were to report what they had done.
 All day the little Pansy in tan and brown thought and thought, fearing to even glance at the little Princess lest he should love her more than ever, and would be unhappy by failing at the task. At the first shadow of night he sprang from his place and ran through the grass, for he had formed d plan during the sunny hours when he must sta, at his post.
 He was such tiny fellow, and, as he had no wings, 1t took some time to reach the beautiful pink rose he was after. Eagerly he climbed the stem, in spite of several rents in his garments from the sharp thorns, until he rested on the soft petals.
 "oh, Mistress Rose, won't you do me a favor?" he asked, pleadingly.
 The Rose looked at him, smiling. What do you want, Sir Pansy?" she asked. 'I will do 1t if can."
 He told his tale, ending with: You see. you smell so deliciously that thought if you would grow just little more over our way she would not notice those horrible Mari. golds."
 The Rose hesitated moment as she looked over at the pansy bed, not so very far away. ''I think I could do it," she snid; "but 1t looks so dry and sunny over there, and