The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-25

and he resolved to fulfil tho condi-
ton himself. The owl was overcom.
with 10Y. She confessed that they
could not have arrived at a. more fay.
orable time, for it was likely that thu
sorcerers would assemble that very
night
She left the chamber with the two
storks and led them to the hall. The
way lay through an immensely long
dark passage. nut finally a bright
light shone from a half fallen wall.
1t came through q gap, to which thu
owl led them. warning them to be OK
tretncly quiet. They looked through
, the opening and saw a large hall, cup
ported by magnificent pillars ana
splendidly decorated.
In the centre was round table.
illuminated BY colored lamps and laden
with choice dishes. Around this way
a gorgeous couch on which sat eight
mon In the person OF one the storks
recognized the peddler VINO had sold
them the magic powder. Soon he be-
gan to tell OF his recent exploits. ana
the Galiph and his viz'er
What word did you devise for
IN n? = asked his ncishbor, laughing
! the sorcerer 1T was Mutabor.
When the storks heard this they
We're nearly beside themselves with
! Joy Their Long less sped TO the en-
scarcely, follow. out in the open ali
the Caliph addressed the owl with
deep emotion. "Deliverer OF my life
and the lite OF my frtcnd.'' said he
Tor MS accept me as your husband"
Then he turned quickly toward the
| east. Thrice the two storks bent their
long necks toward the sun that was
Mutabor!" they exclaimed. and in an
instant they were transformed and fell
into each others arms. weeping and
i Laughing.
when they turned around
i beautiful woman. richly dressed
stood before them
! smiling she gave the caliph her
acquaintance. the owl?"
It was the owl. indeed. and tho Ca
liph was so enraptured by her beauty
and charm that he cried. My greatest
| fortune came to me when was
! changed into a. stork'
| AT once the three set ont on the
| journey TO Bagdad, Tho Caitph found
not only the magic powder IN .ssa-sai
| Therefore he was able to purchase all
| that they needed. and they reached
! the gates of Bagdad without delay.
| Vast was the astonishmcnt OF the
| people when their beloved Caliph ar
rived He had been given up as dead
and the entire city was flooded wifi
JOY over the preservation of their
| ruler.
| the breasts of the people because OF
| the treatment TO which the Caiiph and
| his Vizier had been subjected, This
city rose as one man. and soon the
| throng- Before long the gates were
forced open and the aorcerer and his
son Mira were taken captive.
The caliph sent the sorcarer forth
ruined castle that had hcen inhabited
| by the Princess Owl. There he was
| hanged, and all his arts did not avail
against the hempen string that throt
| tied him in tricc.
AS the son MIRA. bad as he was. did
not understand any of his father.s dan
! gerous tricks. tho Caliph gave him his
choice between snui'ing or dying. He
politely preferred him the snuff box,
| he took a good pinch; the Caliph pro
| nounced the Word of Power, and at
| once ofizra was a stork. He was put
into, an iron cage and placed on show
| In the palace gardens.
| Long and happily did the Calph
I Chastd live with his wife. the princess.
| The hours that delighted him the most
]
| ed him in the afternoon Then they
4 spoke often of their adventures as
storks, and If the Caliph happened to
feel unusually jovial, he would condos
cend to immitatc the Grand Nizier. to
\ show he acted when he was n atork.
At such moments Of royal relaxation
/ he stalked solemnly up and down the
rooms with stiff legs. clappered voc!f-
erously. huttercd his arms like wings,
| and showed how the Vizier had turned
vanly toward the east, crying, "Mu-
31u''
Nine. Caliph and the children always
enjoyed this entertainment immensely.
i But whenever the Caliph continued his
| clappering and his stalking too long,
| the Grand Vizier threatened with
chuckle that he would communicate
/ what had been discussed at the door
of the Owl Princess to Nine. Caliph
In her eager air-painting Fafry Tai"
4 had not noticed that the wise watchers
{, had fallen asleep. one after the other.
She was Just beginning to paint new
scene, when a o.easant- faced man
stepped quickly and quietly TO her side
and took her little hand
\ "See, dear Fairy Tale" said he
i Your beautiful pictures arc nothing
to them. slip through the gate quick
! He helped her step across the -
of the sleepers. Fairy. Tale looked
behind her with a smile and Fitted
! quickly through the gate