The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-10

l departed.
 Then Jean. as he unused by the window. saw at his door a poor. old man, who was trembling with cold. What do you want, you poor crea- ture?" he asked.
 Please open the door. for I am cold and hungry" was the reply. T am sorry" answered Jean. but I cannot open the door for any one."
 For Heavens sake opeu.," pleaded the old man. flor am almost dead"
 Jean could not withstand this pitiful plea, and so he admitted the old man, gave him some food and promised to find home for him. The poor creature thanked him over and over again; inc deed. he was 50 grateful and seemed so intelligent that Jean took him into his workshop and, opening a box of precious wood. showed him the wedding dress, whereupon the old man. who was really Prince Mautravers in disguise. cried in astonishment. This is certainly the most beautiful dress in the entire world"
 "Yes,' replied Jean. land 1t will adorn the most beautiful lady in the world" Then, as he was folding the dress Mau- travers noticed on the table near the bed the bowl of milk which Jean placed there every evening, and he threw a narcotic into 1t. At nightfall the old man went up to the attic and Jean too went to bed, but of course he did not drink the milk. as it was intended for his little guests. After he had gone to sleep the dwarfs came as usual. and. finding that the milk was tainted. they threw it away.
 At midnight Mautravers came down from the attic room and listened at the door of Jeans room. It's all right" he said to himself, he's fast asleep" and thereupon he opened the main door and admitted the armed men whom he had stationed near by.
 The dwarfs. however, had heard him and they awoke Jean. ''Take care, the enemy is here!' At these words Jean jumped out of bed and quickly made a dummy by stufing linen into his stock ings and doublet; this queer figure he then placed in the bed and lay down him. self under the mattress. Scarcely had he finished the work when the armed men burst into the room. Kill Jean," said Mautravers, who was at their head. He Is sound asleep and will not defend him. self" At once the ruffians thrust their swords through the dummy on the bed and Jean uttered deep groans under the bed, just as though he was really at the last gasp. tI
 That's enoughv' said Mautravers. "He won't trouble us again. Now let us carry off the dress"
 As soon as the cutthroats had left the palace, Jean came out from his hiding place. Then he said to himself:-"If I show myself, these rascals will certainly kill me, for they will not blunder a sec- ond time. Let's wait"
 At noon Jean went to the Kings. palace after dressing himself in his best cloth ing. He no longer looked like a crazy beggar.
 He concealed himself in the crowd; the King and the Queen had already taken their seats on the platform, and with them was Princess Mitzi. looking very beautiful but also very sad. She saw clearly that Prince Mautravers would vanQuish all the other suitors, and she feared to become his wife.
 The competitors passed in file before the judges, displaying dresses of silk and lace each of which seemed more beauti- full than any of the others. Finally Mau- travers appeared escorted by two little pages, who carried a box of precious wood and halting before their Majes- ties. he opened the box and took out the wedding dress. Then at sight of 1t shout of admiration arose, and Princess Mitzi began to cry, for indeed 1t was the lovlieet of all the dresses.
 Next they went for the gown in order to placa 1t beside the dress, and the King was about to embrace his future son-in- law, when Jean suddenly leaped on the platform and exclaimed:-'"rhat man Is a thief. Arrest him.
 Mautravers believed that the dead man had come back to life, and so confused was he that he could not help trembling as he asked How did you get here, Jean"
 But, paying no heed to him, Jean thrust aside the soldiers. who wanted to drag him away, and continued:-"It was who fashioned the crown. It was I who de- signed the wedding dress. This bad man first did his best to kill me and then stole them from me-"
 You lie!" replied Mautravers, who had recovered his self possession. Ut was who made the dress and the crown. swear it. Take this imposter out Of my sight"
 Straightway a miracle took place-the dress, which was fashioned of snow and which the fairies had woven, melted in sight of the multitude and all that re- mained of it was a drop of water; the Jewels of the crown lost their lustre as though the dwarfs. who had shaped them had blown out the light which made them so brilliant, and the precious metals were at the same time transformed into mere tinsel and spangles.
  in terror but Princess Mitzi began to hope and already she loved the man who had come to save her.
 Jean was set at liberty by the Kings order and not a word was uttered by Mautravers, who had plainly been con- victed of lying and perjury. Then Jean told his story from the beginning. how the dwarfs had helped him and how the fairies had woven the marvellous dress said Put me in prison and in three days I will make another crown and dress, but my rival must also submit to a similar test
 The King expressed his willingness. and Jean and Mautravers received the tools which was necessary for the work, after which they were locked up in two rooms of the royal palace. While they were at work the Princess prayed that Jean might pro Se victorious. And her prayer was granted, for in three days he came forth with a dress and crown even more beautiful than those which had been stolen.
 When they entered Prince Mautravers cell they found 1t empty. The wicked man had escaped. Into the forest he had gone, looking for the cave in which Jean had made the acquaintance of the king of the dwarfs. At sunset he paused near a tall fir tree, and suddenly he saw blaz- ing around him many little lights, which were torches in the hands of the dwarfs.
 The King approached him and asked, What do you want?"
 Help me as you helped Jean," replied the Prince, and I will become your ser want"
 What can you do? Can you draw?" continued the King.