The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1905-08-11

"You saw that | Was a prince and
not a bird. only that was necessary.
but all this hundred years no one
has been able 10 sec. until you did.
Can't you see nowf'' he asked ana
louEly.
To Elsie'E intense Amusement she
saw plainly that he was really a
prinee 50 she answered
Yea"
II Was surs you would come to-
night said the bullfinch. with q
sigh Of relief IL would have beet
a whole long year 70 next hidsum-
mer day"
"And I came along 10 sec fair
play" said the fairy. with a tinkllng
laugh. I've got 10 take him home.
too"
Where Ia his homer" asked
Elsie
let me out. and I'll tell you all
about IL. said the prince. 4 can't
fsturn 10 my own proper form In
this tiny cage. can L"
Elsie opened the door Of the cage.
the builflneh came out and IN an in
slant he Was a tall young prince
sho bowed aa gracefully and charm
lnEly ~ the bullfneh had. took III
sizes hand tenderiy. and thanked
her again and again for saving
him. while Elsie though she felt
rather ahy. looked deiightediy At
him.
He had black hair and soft black
eyes that were like thu birds eyes.
Hs wore a gray velvet coat. white
satin brooches. white silk stockings.
and his wAiateoat waa pink velvet
embroidered with sold. lie was a
most beautiful prince.
lie begged Elsie to sit down on the
couch while he told her his story
Az he talked Elsie realized that
though he spoke In a language she
had never heard. she understood
every word.
Il am Princa Wilhelm. he began.
and 100 years ago had the mis-
fortune 20 offend my atepmothef.
who vas a witch a. we'll as queen.
In the forest near our palace lived
woodcutter's daughter. whom
loved dearly Every day we would
meet under an old oak In the forest.
You have heard the song We used
Tor our signal. l have whistled II to
sou many times. When called her
Il vas With that song. and she met
me with Il on her lips.
"One day my cruel stepmothor
discovered rs az Ter the oak tree.
and. angry because I had left the
princeasea 20 be- with n woodcut-
ters daughter. before my eyes she
commanded my sweet Gretchen 20
become a weed by the brookside. But
Gretchen was 30 good and pure that
no witchcraft could wholly change
her. she became a white rose tres
blooming under the oak instead.
Il waiered her with tears. and I
scorned the princtsAes more than
ever. prcferring 10 spend my time
near my rose tree aud whistle the
tune that had been 30 dear to us
One day the witch. In a moment
Of anger. turned me into a bnllfinch.
Co she cried. 'flutter around your
rose tree, Whistle your foolish tune
and be a bird. lis all you are good
for"
Elsie listened eagerly 90 the long
tale Of the princes adventures. How
be bad been caught by peasant
boy and sod TO one Of the princess
~. who had the cage made for him
How he had been stolen from her.
and for 100 years bad passed from
hand to hand. with no one but the
fairies he met TO see through his
bird disguise
And now. dear. kind little FL
SIZE" he ended, Il must go back.
This fairy Is to take me. aud when
We get 90 my oak she will change
my SWEET Gretehen back TO her own
form and together We will reign
over my country"
Suppose she wasn't there" said
Elsie She wished her beautiful
prince would stay that she might
show him 10 her mother.
She waits for me-" declared the
prince. and Elsie, sorry for the poor
white rose tree who had waited a