Free press., 1907-02-09


the pitcher OF water, and, hoping that it
might have some magic power. she ran to
the fierce swarm of rats. In a moment not
tail nor whisker was to be seen. Each
one one nad made for his hole as fast as his
legs could carry him, so that the Princess
could safely take her pot of pinks. She
found them nearly dying for want Of water,
and hastily poured all that was left in the
pitcher upon them. AS she bent over them,
enjoying their delicious scent, a soft voice
that seemed to rustic among the leaves,
said:
Lovely Felicia. the day has come at last
when 1 have the happiness of telling you
how even the flowers love you and rejoice
In your beauty"
The Princess. quite overcome by the
strangeness of hearing cabbage. a hen.
of army of rats. suddenly became very
pale, and tainted away.
At this moment in came Bruno working
hard in the heat had not improved his tenn
per. and when he saw that Felicia had sue
ceeded in finding her pinks he was so angry
that he dragged her out into the garden
and shut the door upon her. The fresh air
soon made her open her pretty eyes, and
there before her stood the Queen of the
Woods looking as charming as ever.
You have a bad BROTHER she said 'I
saw how cruelty he turned you out. Shall
1 punish him for it?"
"Ah, no. madam" she said '.I am not
angry with him
But supposing he was not your brother.
after all, what would you say then?" asked
the Queen.
On DuI thlnk ne must De, SAID
What, said the Queen. have you not
heard that you are a Princess? ?"
Il was told a little while ago, madam
but how could 1 believe it without a single
proof?"
"Ah. dear child said the Queen, 1.-The
of your humble upbringing, you are indeed
a real PrincesS/ and can you from
being treated in such way again"
She interrupted at this moment by
the arrival of a very handsome young man.
He wore coat of green velvet fastened with
his head. He knelt upon one knee and
kissed the Queens hand
"Ah,' she cried. my Pink, my dear son,
natural Shape by Feiicia's aid and She
embraced him joyfully: Then turning to
know all the hen told you, but you cannot
have heard that the zephyrs, to whom was
entrusted the task of carrying my son to
the tower where the Queen, your mother,
so anxously waited for him, left him in
stead in a garden of flowers, while they
few of to tell your mother and then a bad
fairy, with whom 1 had quarreled, changed
him into pink, and / could do nothing to
prevent it.
the mischief she had done, but there was
no help for it, 1 could only bring Prince
RINK 70 the place Where you were being
brought up, hoping that when you grew up
he might love you, and by your care be re-
stored to his natural form. You see every
thing has gone right, and when you gave
me the silver ring, it a sign that the
power of the charm was nearly over, and
the bad fairy thought she would frighten
not succeed in doing; now, my dear
Felicia, if you will be married to my son
with this silver ring, you will be happy
forever. Are you not willing to marry such
a handsome and gentle Prince?'
Madam" replied Felicia. blushing. you
overwhelm me with your kindness. I know
that you my mothers sister, and that
by your art you turned the soldiers who
sent to kill me into cabbages, and my
nurse into a hen, and l feel for the first
til e in my life how good it is to be loved
Can you indeed give me the Princes hearth
''It is yours already, lovely Princess he
horrible enchantment which kept me silent
l would have told you long ago how dearly
I love you"
This made the Princess very happy, and
dressed like a poor shepherdess, touched
her with her wand, saying:
Il wish you to be dressed as BELTS your
rank and beauty" And Immediately the
cent robe Of silver brocade. embroidered
with pearls, and her soft dark hair was
encircled with crown of diamonds, from
which hoated a thin white veil. With her
bright eyes and the beautiful color of her
cheeks, she altogether such a dazzling
sight that the Prince could hardly believe
his eyes.
How pretty you are, Felicia" he cried
say that you will marry me-
II am sure" said the Queen, "she will
not refuse you now.''
Just then Bruno, who was going back
thought he must be dreaming when he saw
Felicia, but she called him very kindly, and
begged the Queen to take pity him.
What, when he has been so unkind to
you?"
"I am so happy that should like every
body else to be happy. too"