Evening journal., 1906-12-26

IN the rocks. As he walked back again
along the stream by the way he had come
he grew very thoughtful about what he
had seen. He wondered why II was that
people ala not wish to live for ever and
why the pool had become muddy and trou-
bled when he stopped 20 drink. In pom
dering upon these things he seemed to be-
come graver and older
When no reached the place where the
brook divided he stopped and looked at the
dark stream that glided so noiselessly out
OF the shadows.
This must be the water Of DEATH" ne
said, and he felt a wish to explore it and
hnd out, perhaps, why people desired TO
die
He went a little way up this dark stream
under the dark branches. often stopping 20
listen and look about him. But he heard
no sound, and he saw nothing excepting
the dark trees and the gray rocks on either
hand. SIN he pushed on, and after a time
he reached a great white gate with barred
| iron doors under which the dark water
flowed. Before the gate lay dwarf dressed
IN a green doublet. His heavy head lay on
his arm. and he was fast asleep.
The Young King touched him with his
foot and no woke up. what do you want
here?" he asked.
"only to pass through the gate" the
Young King said.
Then you must FIRST answer my riddle"
said the dwarf. III You cannot do that
you must become my subject and sleep for
"what is the Fiddler" the Young King
said
II advise you not 10 try st." said the
dwarf. you are very young and there
may be many pleasant things In store for
YOU"
'"reli me your riddle" the Young King
said 81 am In haste"
"Oh, II you must. suppose you nustF'
the dwarf replied ''Well, then what Is
IL that Is both light and dark; that Is both
hot and cold; that has no beginning and
no end; that always pursues and never
OvertakeSI'
The Young King began to think and he
walked backward and forward trying 60
find the answer He thought of everything
under the sun. but nothing exactly suited.
The dwarf sat looking at him with smile
as much as to say that he knew tho Young
King would never guess. lie was so
amused to see how hard he was thinking
chat he dug his toe into the ground. The
Young King saw what he was doing and
this gave him an idea.
81 have the answer he said
'-What Is III" the dwarf asked, much dis
appointed.
"You are right" said the dwarf. No
body ever guessed Il before
THE iron gates swung open and She
Young King entered the garden that 10y
, beyond. Tie found it hnod with The same
L strange dark flowers that grew beside tho
b. stream Beyond them was q great palace,
many times larger than Dis own, very quiet
r and stlu He entered and went from room
TO room and everywhere ho found people
fast asleep
4 "rheso are She subjects of the dwarf" BE
said 10 himself. "He would have sent mc
here TO join Thorn % had not guessed his
riddle"
4 He tried 20 awaken some OF Tho men. but
D he could not rouse them. Some of them
d. had been sleeping there for very ions
z timo. Tor their clothes were old fashioned
p such as ne had seen in pictures IN hool
lahnut history a last hp reached a. room
b in which there was a couch. and upon tho
|couch lay a maiden, the most heautfui ht
8 had over seen. or so Die thuurht her. which
, was the same thing. flc knew at once That
q although he had mover seen Der before hs
had always intended that she should ne hi'
III Queen he took her hand ANA tried tl
81 arouse her as hc had others. bot she onl,
smiled ga her sleep and would not awake
nj Finally he nut his hand in his pOckct
: and there he FOUND thc little flask tha
the old man had given 60 him. "ferhap'
lthis would wake hor, no said 90 himself
+, "hut II useet now ] shall have notninl
90 cure me when 4 ana ~ and perhaps
p would die
tic stood Tor q moment with the hasl
N in Ills hand, thinking whether NE woulg
Il use The water % wake the Princess OF
y lVhcther he should save &c and leave hc
. where ahe was; hut whcn he looked a.
Z liner again and saw how beautful she wa
Inc made up hs mind. dc drew Tho stop
iper out OF the flask and sprinkled zoe
water over her Immediately she opened
= her eyes and looked az him and smiled
where am o. she asked.
| ffxr.t. H.rrn knnu aafnFu % hn enfH ftlfnfIsI
sh. arose. ana he took her by the han.
o and led her out OF the gloomy palace. A
6 the gate they saw the dwarf. but he wa
Q sound asleep again and snoring, so he sal
nothing AZ they passed through the whit
9 gate the heavy iron doors changed benin
5 'Now we are safe!" the Young KIM
u cried
They FASTENED down to where the dar
4 stream Joined the other brook.
How pleasant everything is!' the Prin
j cess said when she saw the sunlight agaA
J. and heard the birds singing. Where ar
Il want YOU no be my queen" the Youn
Il King said. VIII your"
a The Princess made no reply. but sh
70 booked at him and laughed. and he kney
o that everything was all right.
e They had not gone much further hefor
J. they met the Prime Minister All torn aul
j scratched with searching On tho wood 90
the Young king. lie had ordered or AZ
the army 10 md him and they had luntc|
Tor him an over the k'nrion. Great WI
z their JOY when he appeared. Tor they uer
!, an very tired The Young King and thI
!, Princess sOt into n coach drawn by ST.;
!. white horses. when they had kept in roadi
ness In case they should find him. and thri
, set out for the capital.
, IT shall love you forever. he said 20 ths
Princess as the horses galloped along.
Then you viii have 70 live for everi"
O the Princess replied. Laughing.
r But the Young King shook his head. Il
d dcn't know about that" ne replied. 81
Z do not wish to live without YOU" ana a,