Evening star., 1941-12-19
All RIGHTS Reserved-A. p. Feature Service
CHAPTER XVII.

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walked together to the mountain
behind the castle. They went to
find the cave which had been de-
scribed by the little miner on the
Kings pipe.
Queer. I never heard Of a cave
out here" said the King.
Il don't see any," said Santa
putting on his glasses.
Carl said nothing Suddenly be-
hind thick. round hawthorn tree
his foot slipped down through the
grass. He caught his balance and
parted the grasses, and there was
the round mouth of a cave
Here, give me your hand" said
the King. Let yourself down
easily" Carl slipped one foot down
slowly until it touched level ground
Then he let go the Kings hand, lit
a match, and all about his feet lay
a fine white powder which glistened
in the match light. He picked up
pocketful and scrambled out.
Now to find the WITCH" he said,
and he pointed to an oak tree.
She's there" whispered Santa
As they watched they saw one bird
fall from the tree, then a second
and a third
Ssh, sh," said Carl, I'VE must hide
until it's dark"
When the first star came out and
the moon was bright, Carl said to
the King. "She must be sleeping in
that high oak. Wait here"
BE sure you don't look at her."
worried Santa.
"Never fear" said Carl, and he
stepped carefully to the foot of the
oak tree. He climbed up, up into
the tree until finally he saw the
second little witch asleep in a nest
the robins hal left behind the spring
before.
Quietly, Carl got good toe-hold
in the crotch Of a big tree branch
Then, although he was dreadfully
excited, he resolutely closed his
eyes tightly and shouted, and flung
the pocketfull Of white dust over
the robins nest and the witch.
She started up choking and sput-
tering, Look what you've DONE"
she said angrily.
But Carl was too quick for her
He knew he mustn't open his eyes
and look. He just kept his eyes
closed and waited
You. you-Beggar!" sputtered the
witch. Then her voice became only
whimper and she said in the
meekest tones, you are master
Lead me-"
Carl opened his eyes at that He
saw the little witch was sitting on
the edge of the robins nest hanging
her head and looking very ashamed
Carl put her in his pocket and
climbed down the tree. He ran to-
ward Santa and the King shouting
Look, have her safely in my
pocket"
The three Of them hurried to the
castle, chuckling and talking. There
was great rejoicing when they ar
rived. The King ordered a big BAN
quet to celebrate the occasion. The
King sat at the head of the LONG
table with Carl at his right. And
on Carl's right sat the girl in the
blue robe. 1t was Princess Hildur.
Carl caught his breath when he
saw the Princess. and he realized
that the girl he had admired was
the Kings daughter. He felt toe
shy to say anything to her. And
Hildur, realizing that this was the
tall blond young man who was SO
brave, was too shy to say anything
either.
When Carl left the castle late that
evening the King gave him another
purse filled with cold coins. But
Carl rode away from the castle feel
ing sad. Santa sat on the horse
behind him, and after long time
Carl said to Santa, "Hildur Is a
princess and more beautiful than
any girl I've seen. But I am only
a peasants son. I suppose I shall
never see her again"
Santa said, Each day is different