diff options
| author | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-02 22:25:22 -0800 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-02 22:25:22 -0800 |
| commit | 2367d9e7446076a1a94d46f54d6f63e9986b3add (patch) | |
| tree | 4baffaad6e382666c426f23b844620b1b53d175b /old/68833-0.txt | |
| parent | adcb57552133fad1fab008b6983d7c1060cf913d (diff) | |
Diffstat (limited to 'old/68833-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | old/68833-0.txt | 3877 |
1 files changed, 0 insertions, 3877 deletions
diff --git a/old/68833-0.txt b/old/68833-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index e7b9c40..0000000 --- a/old/68833-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3877 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of The entertaining story of King -Brondé, his Lily and his Rosebud, by Abby Morton Diaz - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: The entertaining story of King Brondé, his Lily and his Rosebud - -Author: Abby Morton Diaz - -Illustrator: W. L. Sheppard - -Release Date: August 24, 2022 [eBook #68833] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Steve Mattern, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was - produced from images made available by the HathiTrust - Digital Library.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ENTERTAINING STORY OF -KING BRONDÉ, HIS LILY AND HIS ROSEBUD *** - - -[Illustration: THE TRIUMPHAL PROCESSION. - - [See page 131.] - - - - - - THE - ENTERTAINING STORY - OF - KING BRONDÉ, - His Lily and his Rosebud. - - BY ANNA M. DIAZ. - - WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY W. L. SHEPPARD. - - [Illustration] - - BOSTON: - TICKNOR AND FIELDS. - 1869. - - - - - Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by - TICKNOR AND FIELDS, - in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the District of - Massachusetts. - - - UNIVERSITY PRESS: WELCH, BIGELOW, & CO., - CAMBRIDGE. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER I. PAGE - THE THREE PRINCESSES 9 - - CHAPTER II. - KING BRONDÉ 20 - - CHAPTER III. - THE WOOD-CUTTER’S CHILDREN 33 - - CHAPTER IV. - THE CAVE 40 - - CHAPTER V. - MEETING OF THE FAIRIES 44 - - CHAPTER VI. - GOING A HUNTING, AND WHAT CAME OF IT 48 - - CHAPTER VII. - ESCAPING FROM PERILS 61 - - CHAPTER VIII. - LIFE AT THE SEA-SHORE 70 - - CHAPTER IX. - THE FLOWER-GARDEN 79 - - CHAPTER X. - A NEW ACQUAINTANCE 87 - - CHAPTER XI. - MEETING AND PARTING 99 - - CHAPTER XII. - THE CHILDREN IN TROUBLE 107 - - CHAPTER XIII. - THE WHITE LAMB 114 - - CHAPTER XIV. - A LONG JOURNEY 118 - - CHAPTER XV. - TEARS AND SMILES 125 - - CHAPTER XVI. - A DISCOVERY 132 - - CHAPTER XVII. - KING MYRTLE AND QUEEN ROSEBUD 141 - - - - - THE - ENTERTAINING STORY - OF - KING BRONDÉ, - His Lily and his Rosebud. - - - - -THE KING’S - -LILY AND ROSEBUD. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -THE THREE PRINCESSES. - - -If anybody had happened to be walking along what was called the -Robbers’ Road, in Long Forest, a part of the possessions of good King -Brondé, who lived many, many hundred years ago, he would have perceived -that the road was continually curving towards the right. He would also -soon have grown weary, for this winding road led, by degrees, to the -top of a mountain. But if he had kept on and on, and did not give up -for weariness, he would at length have come to the palace of the very -king himself. A magnificent palace it was, too, and a sight of it well -worth the long journey. - -If you could but have seen how the gilded roof shone in the sunlight! -and the white marble statues in the gardens! and the fountains and -the round ponds filled with gold and silver fishes! and the flocks -of lambs with blue and pink ribbons around their necks! and the -shepherdesses all dressed in white, each with her crook and her wreath -of flowers!--if you could but have seen all these beautiful things, -then would the weary journey have been soon forgotten. - -And could you have entered the palace itself, and have kept your eyes -from being blinded by the bright colors, the sparkling ornaments, and -all the splendor of this wonderful place, and have wandered on and on, -through the spacious apartments, you would at last have come to an -ivory door, over which was perched a red-and-green parrot. This parrot -was fed upon flowers made from crystals of white sugar; and had you -given him one of these he would have told you a riddle. But this, of -course, you could not know. And indeed, when the door was once open, -you would have forgotten parrots and everything else in gazing at the -beautiful lady within,--the beautiful pale lady, King Brondé’s queen. - -This is her private chamber. The windows are lofty, and more than half -hidden by rich curtains of crimson. The walls are covered with cloth -of crimson and gold. Vases of white lilies fill the air with their -fragrance. How beautiful is the pale lady, reclining upon her dark -cushions of velvet! Her robe is of blue silk, embroidered with silver. -Her fair hair is adorned with a wreath of blue flowers. These flowers -are made of precious stones, and the leaves are of silver. Her eyes -are blue, too, very blue,--bluer than her silk robe,--bluer than the -flowers in her hair. And oh! if her cheeks had but looked rosy then, -she would have been the most beautiful queen in the world. But her face -was very, very pale; so that when she was not called the Queen, she was -often called the Pale Lady, or the White Lady, and sometimes the Lily -Queen. - -But what are those blue eyes looking upon so earnestly, so tenderly, so -sadly? - -Ah! that I can soon tell you. - -But first I must tell you that fastened to the ceiling was a golden -eagle, holding in its claws a long silver cord. This cord sustained a -sort of canopy, made of white velvet, and fringed with silver. From -this canopy hung curtains of the most gauzy, delicate lace. These -were now looped up with their jewelled bands, and it was something -underneath upon which the blue eyes of the Pale Lady were fixed so -earnestly. - -Now this something underneath was something very charming indeed. - -It was a babe which lay there, sleeping in its cradle. - -This cradle was curiously wrought of sandalwood and rosewood and -boxwood and ivory. It was lined with down, and its cushions were white -and soft as new-fallen snow. The quilt was embroidered with pearls. -At each of its four corners, and bending over it, was the sculptured -figure of a little smiling boy. Those at the foot seemed playing softly -on musical instruments, as if soothing the child to slumber. The two -at the head were represented as holding out poppies over the infant -beneath. - -But why should the mother look with sadness upon her babe? If any one -could weep in such a beautiful place, we might fancy almost those were -tears in her blue eyes. - -The Pale Lady had, no doubt, cause for sorrow; for she sighed -frequently, and bowed her head upon the velvet cushions, saying, “O my -precious one! what shall I ask for thee?” - -At length she took from her bosom a curiously shaped whistle, which, -when she put it to her lips, gave forth the sweetest notes you ever -heard. - -Then the ivory door opened softly, and there came in a bright -black-eyed little boy, in a red turban. The lady, without speaking, -pointed to a casket at the opposite side of the room. This the little -black-eyed, also without speaking, placed in her hands, and then, with -the very lightest of footsteps and the very lowest of bows, he left the -room. - -The lady unlocked the casket, and, after opening many little drawers, -she at last took out a most fairy-like cup, made of alabaster, -perfectly plain and white. Then, lifting the crimson and gold hangings -from the wall near by, she pressed her finger upon what seemed to be -a small picture fastened in the wood-work. A drawer flew out, from -which the Pale Lady took three small green stones and a vial. Placing -the stones in the cup, she poured over them a liquid from the vial, -and very soon there began to arise a vapor, which spread through the -apartment. And the Pale Lady, while the vapor was rising, sang, in low -tones, these words:-- - - “Wild Mountain Fairy, in robes of green, - List to the call of the Lily Queen. - O, speed thee! speed quickly o’er land and o’er sea, - For the child and its mother are waiting for thee.” - -As the vapor melted away, there was seen, standing by the cradle, a -beautiful white lamb; which, after walking three times around the room, -became transformed into as pretty a green fairy as ever was seen. Now -this is what the fairy said to the lady, and what the lady said to the -fairy. - -_Fairy._--“Yes: three times I promised to come at thy bidding. This is -the third. What now is the wish of the fair Lily Queen?” - -_Lady._--“Fairy, I pray thee bestow something good--something -blessed--upon my youngest-born.” - -_Fairy._--“Yes, lady. And what shall it be? It is thine to choose. How -is it with the two princesses, her sisters? Did I not well by them?” - -_Lady._--“Fairy, what I asked thou gavest. For the eldest, I chose the -gift of perfect beauty, for I said, ‘Every one loves the beautiful; she -will draw all hearts to herself.’” - -_Fairy._--“And thus did it prove?” - -_Lady._--“Listen! I hear her step. Judge now for thyself.” - -As the ivory door swung open, the beautiful princess entered. Perfect -beauty had indeed been given her. There was in her countenance such a -bloom, such a freshness, such a smile upon her lip, such a light in her -eye, that, having once looked, one was hardly able to turn away. She -wore no ornament, well knowing that gold could buy nothing so pretty, -so bright, so radiant, as herself. - -“And such beauty as this, or even greater, wouldst thou choose for thy -youngest-born?” asked the fairy. - -“O no, no, no!” said the lady, earnestly. “O fairy! yonder beauty has -no heart, and none love her. She is not happy; she makes no one happy.” - -“And did I not warn thee?” asked the fairy. - -“Fairy, thou didst. The blame is mine,--mine only. I foolishly trusted -that beauty alone would draw loving hearts around her. Oh! she is -vain; she is silly; she is proud. Examine the book she holds. Inside -its covers are little mirrors, that she may continually enjoy the -sight of her beauty. All the artists in the kingdom are busy painting -likenesses of her face, her form, her hands. And you will perceive that -the very figures upon her dress are only so many miniatures of herself.” - -“And her sister, the second princess,” inquired the fairy, “upon whom, -at your request, I conferred great wisdom,--you surely find comfort in -her?” - -“Alas!” replied the lady, “although she can converse in all languages, -and not even the wisest philosopher can puzzle her with questions, -yet she cannot make herself beloved, for she knows not the secret of -making even the poorest child happy. Though despising beauty, yet she -is envious of her sister; and their want of affection saddens my whole -life. But you will see, now, this wise princess. That is her step -approaching. It will be very fortunate if we understand her, for seldom -does she converse in our own language.” - -Again the ivory door opened, to admit the second princess, who -instantly began talking. - -“Alski, mofo, se lup tak sba tab enryo dyo!” she exclaimed. - -Her dress was a brownish robe, reaching to the floor. It was covered -with ink-spots. Her hair was tumbled, and stuck full of pens. Her -hands were filled with big charts and rolls of manuscripts. - -“Potobi, ritu fo bam. Shik, sho, tabi,” said she, approaching her -beautiful sister so awkwardly that she almost trod upon one of the -pretty miniatures in her dress. The beauty sprang angrily up, and there -would have been a great quarrel, had not the Green Fairy, with a motion -of her wand, ordered them from the apartment. - -Meanwhile, the pale Lily Queen, paler now than ever, sat sighing and -weeping. - -“Arouse yourself, dear lady,” said the fairy, “and choose quickly, for -others may summon me, and I must soon be gone.” - -“Good fairy,” said the lady, “bestow upon her, not happiness for -herself, but the blessing of bringing happiness to others. I ask for -her the gift of exceeding love. Kindle a love-flame in her heart which -shall never grow dim.” - -“Alas!” said the fairy, “what you ask is not mine to give. Far, far -away, in a land which no mortal and no fairy ever saw, is an altar upon -which the holy fire is constantly burning. Now, although no mortal and -no fairy may enter there, yet there may, and there do, come messengers -from thence, bearing sparks of this holy fire. Happy the heart which -receives such messengers, for the love-flame, once kindled from the -sacred fire, is never quenched. And all who have love in their hearts -possess the blessing you have chosen,--the power and the will to create -happiness. Be silent, now, and let only beautiful and holy thoughts -enter your mind.” - -The fairy then described with her wand a circle upon the floor, in the -centre of which she stood for some time, motionless. At last, in a low -voice, she began chanting,-- - - “Beautiful Spirit! Spirit of Love, - Why dost thou tarry? O, where dost thou rove? - Linger not by the altar, sweet Spirit, for see! - The child of the Lily Queen waiteth for thee.” - -[Illustration] - -As she chanted, her voice grew fainter and fainter. Her form faded, -becoming more and more shadow-like, until, at length, its last dim -outline disappeared. - -But while the Pale Lady was still gazing at the spot where the fairy -had stood, she heard a voice faintly singing,-- - - “The Fairy Green - No more is seen. - Look not for me, - Dear lady. But see! - Where cometh above - The Spirit of Love.” - -The lady raised her eyes to the ceiling, and saw there what appeared -to be a kind of white cloud. While gazing, full of wonder at this -strange appearance, she perceived, flying from it, a small, white dove. -Following its motions with her eye, she saw that it was flying in -circles around the cradle. These circles grew smaller and smaller, and -at length the beautiful little creature alighted upon the clasped hands -of the child, and then creeping into its bosom, just where its little -heart was beating, it lay there as quietly as if it had never in its -life known any other nest. - -The lady now perceived that the air was filled with the singing of -birds, and, looking up, she saw that the white cloud had changed, and -was now of the most brilliant colors; and that from the midst of it -were flying birds such as she had never before seen or heard,--birds -of the most radiant plumage, purple and gold and scarlet, and whose -warbling was inexpressibly melodious. The whole room was filled with -their brightness and with their music. They seemed to be attendants -of the white dove, for they hovered about the cradle, though not one -alighted. Poised in the air, fluttering their bright wings, their -singing was not like that of birds, but like some heavenly anthem, such -as she had imagined might be sung by angels. - -At first this music was overpowering, but grew softer by degrees, and -so soothing that the lady soon lost all consciousness of what was about -her. Her eyelids drooped, and she wondered how it was that the music -sounded so far away. - -When the power of opening her eyes was restored to her, she looked -eagerly about, and then grew very sad, for there were no sweet sounds -in the room,--no birds, no music. - -Running to her child, she searched eagerly in its bosom. But no dove -was there,--nothing but a warm, bright red spot, just over its little -heart. - -The babe opened its blue eyes, smiled, and put out its tiny hands to -its mother; and the Pale Lady might have thought she had been dreaming, -were it not for the bright red spot which, as I said before, was -plainly to be seen just over the little quick-beating heart. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -KING BRONDÉ. - - -Although I have told you something of his palace and of his daughters -and of his queen, I have as yet hardly spoken of the king himself. - -King Brondé was once a poor little boy, and lived with his mother in a -brown hut or cottage, near the borders of a forest. One day, when he -was in the forest with some other children, chopping fagots for his -mother’s fire, a giant chanced to pass that way, and, by accident, his -foot became entangled in the branches of a thick thorn-tree, causing -him to roar out most lustily. The other children screamed, and ran -away. But Brondé climbed the tree, and, with his hatchet, hacked away -the branches. - -“Thank you, my little man!” said the giant. “Come, live with me, and -I’ll teach you to grow. Would you like that?” - -“With all my heart,” said the lad, “if mother will say yes.” - -He then ran quickly home, and cried out,-- - -“Mother! mother! May I grow up a big man?” - -“To be sure!” said his mother. “What’s to hinder?” - -“Well,” said the lad, “I shall go now to live with the giant, and he -will teach me.” - -Then his mother began to weep and to wail most bitterly, and to say, “O -no! O no!” - -But when the little boy said he was not afraid, and told how stout he -would grow and how he would take care of her, and how proud she should -be of such a big son, she wiped her tears and gave him her consent. So -Brondé ran to the forest, and cried out, “Sir giant! sir giant! I am -ready.” And then the giant put him in his pocket, and walked away. - -And Brondé lived a year in the cave; and the giant fed him with -something which caused him to grow very big and very tall and very -strong. This something was a mountain herb which giants fed upon, and -may, no doubt, be still found in that region, only that no one knows -the spot where it grows. - -Brondé, as I said, grew very large and strong, and would, no doubt, -have some day become a giant himself, had his stout friend lived long -enough. - -But the giant grew sick, and laid him down to die. Knowing that his end -was near, he called Brondé close to his mouth, and said to him:-- - -“I shall soon leave you now. Have I not been a friend to you? Have I -not fulfilled my promise?” - -Then, as Brondé could not answer for crying, the giant went on:-- - -“There is but one man living as large and strong as yourself. He calls -himself Magnus, or ‘The Great.’ Years ago, I did for him what I have -done for you. But he grew wicked as fast as he grew strong, and I -drove him from me. You will readily know him; for he is exactly your -size. His hair, however, is not fair and curly like yours, but black -and coarse. I pray, however, that you may never meet, for he would -gladly kill you, that there may be no man living as large and as strong -himself. - -“Death is near,” continued the giant, “and I am not sorry; for mine has -been but a lonely life. But before we part I would bestow upon you a -parting gift. It is one which this Magnus, of whom I have spoken, often -begged of me, but never obtained. You see this vial. A few drops of -its contents confer upon the person swallowing them immense strength. -As its effects pass off, he sinks into a stupor resembling death, from -which he awakes with only his usual powers. You are young, active, -and will seek adventure,--brave, and will fear no danger. You will -encounter perils; you will be reduced to extremities in which even your -uncommon strength shall not avail. Preserve, therefore, this little -vial with the utmost care, and never use it unless your very life -depends upon its aid. - -[Illustration] - -“This, then,” said the giant, as he hung the vial about the neck of -Brondé by a stout cord, “this is my dying gift; listen, now, to my -dying request. - -“When I am dead, leave my body in this cave. Roll rocks about the mouth -of it, till no opening can be seen. Pull up oak-trees and plant them -around, that no one may ever discover the entrance to my tomb.” - -So the giant died; and Brondé, with his immense strength, rolled rocks -and planted trees, until the cave was entirely concealed. And, to this -day, no traveller journeying that way ever knew he was passing the -tomb of a giant. - - * * * * * - -Now Brondé had lived in the cave just a year and a day. And the same -flowers were in bloom, the meadows were as green, the waters as blue, -the sky was as bright, the air as soft, and the birds were singing as -sweetly the very same tunes, as on the day when he kissed his mother -and ran to meet the giant in the forest. - -And Brondé wondered, as he travelled homeward, whether he really were -Brondé, and really had a mother living in a brown cottage by the edge -of a forest. And the more he wondered, the faster he walked; until, at -length, he walked so fast that no horse could pass him by. - -Now, when his mother, who was looking out from her little window at the -house-top, saw this big fellow coming at such a rate, she ran down to -fasten the door. She was too late, however, for he was already in the -room, and searching for something on the top shelf of the cupboard. - -“Ah, here it is!” said he,--“the little blue honey-pot. Now it is -certain I am Brondé. For though there might be a brown cottage like -this, it would not have a cupboard like this, and a little blue -honey-pot on the top shelf.” - -When the good dame reached the bottom of the stairs, she was terribly -frightened to see such a powerful man in possession of her room and her -honey-pot. - -“Pardon me,” said he, “but I have travelled long, and am very hungry.” - -The dame, seeing she could do no other, brought her oatmeal cakes and -all her pans of milk, and then, by way of passing the time, asked if -there were any news. - -“O, great news!” said he; “the giant is dead.” - -“Alas!” said the good woman, beginning to weep, “where, then, is my -little son?” - -Then Brondé laughed, and cried out,-- - -“I am your little son!” - -And he pulled from his pocket the whole suit of clothes which he had -worn away. - -Then the dame knew it was her own son, and would have fainted away for -joy, had not Brondé caught her in his arms and kissed her and hugged -her as if she had only been a little child. - - * * * * * - -And Brondé lived many years with his mother, and was a good son to her -till she died. - -He then went forth into the world to seek his fortune. And chancing to -stop in a great city, through which a legion of soldiers was passing, -he resolved to join the army, and fight for the king. - -Now the king of the land soon heard of the marvellous deeds of his new -soldier, and straightway sent for him to come to the palace, that he -might behold with his own eyes this great wonder. - -Brondé, therefore, visited the palace. And the king was so charmed with -his lofty stature, his noble air, and his fine appearance, that he must -needs have him among his own private guards, and very soon made him -captain over them all. And it was soon found that this great soldier -was as good as he was great, and as gentle as he was strong. For never -in his life had he used his strength to oppress the weak; but, on the -contrary, sought to help all who were in distress. - -Now the king had an only child, a daughter as fair and sweet as a -lily. And the king never called her anything but his White Lily, or -his Precious Lily. This princess was the life and light of the court. -She was sweet-tempered and modest, yet merry and playful as a kitten, -dancing and singing from morning to night. - -And one day, when the king was away, and the courtiers were feasting in -the grand banquet-hall, there ran in among them maidens weeping, and -crying out,-- - -“Save the princess! Oh! who will save the princess?” - -And every one rushed from the palace to learn what had befallen the -king’s Lily. - -The maidens ran swiftly towards the river, and then every one thought -she had been drowned. But no. On towards the mountains the maidens ran. -And, half-way up the mountain path, they pointed below to a crevice -between two huge rocks, and told how the princess, in her eagerness to -chase a gazelle, had slipped and fallen through. And hardly had they -finished speaking before the voice of the princess was heard, in tones -of distress, calling out for help. - -All were now in dismay, crying out, “Alas! alas! the princess will die!” - -But when Brondé arrived, and saw that trees were growing about the foot -of the outer rock, he quickly let himself down, and began pulling them -out by their roots. This so loosened the earth that, by means of his -great strength, he could easily start the rock from its nest. And this -he did, and sent it rolling, whirling, plunging, nobody looked to see -how far, for all were busy with the princess, who, though very little -hurt, was trembling with fright. And Brondé, seeing that she could -hardly stand, took her in his arms and bore her to the palace, the rest -following far behind. - -If he had not taken her in his arms and borne her to the palace, it is -probable this story would never have been written, as will presently be -shown. - -When the princess found herself unhurt, she began to laugh within -herself at this adventure, and at the odd way she was travelling home. -And as her head lay upon the shoulder--the big, broad shoulder--of -Brondé, his long, fair curls touched her cheek. So, being fond of -mischief, she slyly drew forth her scissors, cut off one curl, and kept -it hid in her hand. And Brondé did not know a word about it; though, -had he known, it would not have displeased him, since, had she wished, -he would gladly have given her every one of them; for he was quite fond -of the charming little princess. - -[Illustration] - -And he grew still more fond of her as years passed, and wondered -within himself whether such a big fellow as he could ever please such -a delicate little creature as the king’s Lily. And if that could -ever happen, why, what would the king say then? It was quite doubtful -whether he should be thought worthy to be the son-in-law of a king. -Whatever his thoughts were, therefore, none were the wiser for them, as -they remained hidden in his own breast. - -Now the king’s Lily looked with admiration upon the brave, -noble-hearted Brondé. - -“Ah!” said she to herself, “he is gentle and good, and can do no wrong; -he is strong and brave, and can fear no danger; and he is handsome -enough to gaze upon for a lifetime. And I think,--I think he likes very -well even a small, pale thing like me; yet he has never told me this.” - -So she, too, kept her own counsel, and nobody was the wiser. But it is -curious to see how, sometimes, events are brought about. - -The king said one day to his daughter: “Choose you now a husband, for -old age is coming upon me, and I would know, before I die, that my -child and my kingdom are well cared for.” - -But the pretty White Lily grew bashful and said, “Let me not choose, -but rather be chosen.” - -Then the king said: “Who would dare to choose my beautiful Lily, my -princess? But give yourself no uneasiness, since I myself can make the -choice.” - -Then the princess was quite troubled, not knowing upon whom the -choice might fall. And she thought that by a cunning little trick -matters might be well arranged. So she said to her father, the king: -“My dearest father, in coming from the mountains one day, I discovered -a lock of hair, so beautiful that I have preserved it ever since. -Whoever, now, in all your court, can match this lock with one of his -own, he, and he only, shall be my choice.” - -Now when this declaration of the princess was made known, it caused -great commotion among the young nobles of the court. All were examining -their locks, and longing to know the color of that which the king’s -Lily had discovered in coming from the mountain. - -Brondé sent in one of his fair curls with the rest, and was, of course, -the lucky winner. For not one in the whole court had hair so soft and -of so beautiful a color as he. - -And he soon found that the heart of the princess was quite large -enough to love even so big a fellow as himself. And the princess made -the discovery that the small, pale thing, as she had called herself, -was the very thing, in all the world, that Brondé most wished for. -The king, too, was well pleased to give to his daughter so kind -a protector, and to his kingdom so brave a defender. And thus it -happened, for once, that everybody was pleased. The lady with her -lover, the lover with his lady, the king with his son-in-law, and the -people with their king that was to be. - -There was one person, however, who, far away, hearing of Brondé’s -good fortune, was not so well pleased. This person was a man of great -strength and size, who has already been spoken of. He called himself -Magnus, or “The Great.” - -He, too, had once been among the king’s guards, and would have been -quite ready to take both daughter and kingdom. But by reason of his -cruelty and for his many bad acts, he was banished from the country. -After Brondé had been made a great captain in the army, Magnus went to -him secretly, by night, and said: “Come, now, we two are strong and can -accomplish whatsoever we will. Let us gather about us a troop of brave -men; let us entice the king’s soldiers; there are many who will gladly -fight under two such powerful leaders. We will attack the palace, throw -the king into prison, and become ourselves rulers of the land.” - -But Brondé said, “I will not use my strength to do evil.” And Magnus, -for this, hated Brondé, and was, therefore, far from rejoicing at his -good fortune. - -His envy and his displeasure, however, were alike unknown to Brondé -and the princess. They were married and lived happily. Their father, -the king, built for them two fine palaces, one within the city and -the other far away among the forests and mountains. It was this summer -palace, standing high, all glittering with silver and gold, which was -spoken of in the beginning. And it will now be understood that the -Pale Lady, sitting in the Crimson Chamber, was the good old king’s -Lily Princess whom Brondé saved on the mountain, whom he bore home in -his arms, and whom he afterwards married. The old king had now long -been dead, and King Brondé was enjoying a peaceful reign. Affairs went -smoothly on, his people loved him and he loved his people, and he still -spent the summers at the beautiful palace in Long Forest. - -But peaceful days last not always, and troubles, dangers, and bitter -sorrows were in store for the good King Brondé and his Lily Queen. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -THE WOOD-CUTTER’S CHILDREN. - - -We left, at the end of the first chapter, a child sleeping in its -cradle within a chamber of the royal palace. To this child, this third -little princess, was given the name of Rosebud. Her father, King -Brondé, it was, who gave his little daughter this name. He came into -the chamber one day just as she had awakened, with flushed cheeks, from -a long sleep. Now the Lily Queen, in remembrance of the Green Fairy, -had the child dressed always in green. King Brondé, when he lifted her -in his arms, said: “Why, my dear Lily, with her red cheeks she is like -a rosebud in its green jacket.” And they agreed that she should be -called Rosebud. - -And a sweet Rosebud she was to them always. First, till she was a -year old, when she walked; then, till she was two years old, when she -talked; then, till three years old, when she sang; then, till four -years old, when she could sit before her father, on horseback, and go -forth riding in the forest. The lords and ladies of the court were -quite charmed with the king’s Rosebud, and as her years increased she -came to be the delight of the whole palace. - -For the love-flame kindled in her heart was always burning there. It -shone through her eyes, it lighted up her face, and she had smiles and -pleasant words and loving ways for everybody. - -The heart of the Pale Lily Queen was comforted. And as for King Brondé, -there was nothing too beautiful or too costly for his darling Rosebud. -She was the joy of his heart. - -But very often his Lily Queen would say to him: “My dear Brondé, we are -now too happy. Surely some evil will soon befall us.” - -Then would Brondé encircle the child with his arms, and say, “O, may -this precious one, at least, be kept from harm.” - -But the Lily Queen, sighing, would murmur softly to herself, “Ah, she -is too bright, too lovely a flower for earth!” - - * * * * * - -As Rosebud grew older, she showed great delight in birds, squirrels, -wild flowers, and everything which lived or grew in the woods, and her -attendants had plenty to do in following her up and down about the -country. The woodmen all knew her, for she was continually dancing -along the forest paths, or dropping like a sunbeam into their rude -huts. Yes, like a sunbeam, for she brought the light of her bright face -and the warmth of her loving heart. She made little children glad, she -made the old people glad, and for miles around every one knew and loved -the king’s Rosebud. - - * * * * * - -One day as Rosebud was walking with her sisters along the river’s bank, -they heard a noise as of some one calling, “Tirra, Tirra, Tirra, Tirra -La!” - -It was not a shout, but a faint, mournful cry. Looking up, they saw, at -a short distance from the shore, a small boat drifting along with the -stream. A pale, ragged child sat leaning his forehead upon the boat’s -edge, now and then raising it to call out, in a feeble voice, “Tirra, -Tirra, Tirra, Tirra La! Tirra, Tirra, Tirra, Tirra La!” - -Seeing the three maidens, he eagerly stretched forth his hands as if -asking for assistance. - -The eldest princess said: “Pshaw! what do we care for the ugly, dirty -fellow?” - -And the second princess said: “Stupid, ignorant little wretch! Let him -go!” - -But the third princess ran for a man and a boat, which were soon in -readiness; for every one was eager to obey even the slightest wish of -little Rosebud. - -When the drifting boat was towed to the shore, there was found in it -not only a boy, but a little girl, lying in the bottom of the boat,--a -very pale little girl, who seemed too weak to do more than just open -her brown eyes and gaze piteously about her. But when food and cordials -had been given them, it was found that they could both talk, and that -quite well. - -Now this is the story the little boy told of himself and his little -sister. - -They belonged a great way up the river. A long time ago, he could not -tell how long, there was famine in that country, and their mother -sickened and died. - -One day their father embraced them, with tears in his eyes, and said:-- - -“Farewell, farewell, my pretty dears. I am going now to seek employment -in the kingdom of good King Brondé, where, as I am told, all may find -work and bread.” - -And they were left in the care of a woman who treated them ill. -This woman was not only cruel, but a thief. She kept the gold their -father sent, and would give them no news of him, except that he was a -wood-cutter, in Long Forest. - -One moonlight night the boy showed to his sister a bag of dry crusts, -and said, “Let us go and seek our father.” - -And she said, “O yes!” - -Then they jumped into a little skiff, which had no oar. “No matter for -that,” said the boy; “it will be sure to drift down.” For they knew -that their father had sailed away down the river. - -And a very long river the boy thought it must be. For they had drifted, -night and day, through many a desolate plain and gloomy forest. And all -the time he had kept shouting, loud and clear at first, but more feebly -as his strength grew less, “Tirra, Tirra, Tirra, Tirra La! Tirra, -Tirra, Tirra, Tirra La!” - -“And what was that for?” asked Rosebud. - -Why, in their own country, the boy said, were robbers and bandits and -many fierce men. There was danger always; and their father, as he -returned from his day’s hunting, or his day’s labor, would call out, -while crossing the little bridge near their cottage, “Tirra, Tirra, -Tirra, Tirra La! Tirra, Tirra, Tirra, Tirra La!” to let them know of -his safety. And they would answer back the same cry, that he might be -sure no harm had come to them in his absence. - -“And so,” continued the little boy, “we called, ‘Tirra, Tirra, Tirra, -Tirra La!’ while floating along, that our father might hear.” - -“But he did not hear!” said the little girl, sadly. - -“Now, children,” said Rosebud, “do not be sorrowful any more, for this -is Long Forest. The palace of King Brondé is near, and I am his little -girl, and I shall help you to find your father. Pray what is his -name?” But the children knew only that he was called “Father.” “For -all that, we shall find him,” said Rosebud. And every morning, though -dressed out in costly array, and her princess’s crown, she took the -two children by the hand, and they walked together along the forest -paths; and whenever they heard the sound of a wood-chopper’s axe they -shouted:-- - -“Tirra, Tirra, Tirra, Tirra La!” and then stopped awhile to listen, but -heard only the echoes, repeating, more and more faintly, “Tirra, Tirra, -Tirra, Tirra La! Tirra, Tirra, Tirra, Tirra La!” - -And the children grew very sad, and said, “O, we shall never, never -again see our father!” - -And the two elder princesses said: “Rosebud, why will you keep such low -company? You really trouble yourself a great deal about nothing.” - -But Rosebud answered, “Is it nothing to lose a father?” And she cheered -the two children, and said to them: “Do not give up yet, for I am sure -we shall not fail.” - -And one bright, calm summer noon, as they were passing a thick grove of -oaks, there was heard, far away, the sound of a wood-cutter’s axe. - -They called out, as was their custom, “Tirra, Tirra, Tirra, Tirra La!” -and then stood listening. - -“Tirra, Tirra, Tirra, Tirra La!” they heard in reply. - -“That’s not an echo!” cried the boy; “call again!” - -They called again, all together, very loud: “Tirra, Tirra, Tirra, Tirra -La!” - -The answer came back in a clear, strong voice, and much nearer than -before. - -Then a crashing of branches was heard, and a stout man burst through. - -[Illustration] - -At first he could not speak, from astonishment. But at last he caught -the two children in his arms, kissed them, hugged them, wept over them, -and called them his precious, precious children. - -And Rosebud, seeing that they both were crying for joy, herself stepped -forward and told their story. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - -THE CAVE. - - -The Robbers’ Road, spoken of in the beginning, could never have been -called by that name without some reason. - -Before the father of the Lily Queen built this summer palace for his -children, there dwelt in Long Forest a band of robbers. So numerous and -so bold were they, that few travellers dared trust themselves in the -neighborhood, and the road through the forest was called the Robbers’ -Road. - -But before bringing his bride to the new palace, Brondé sent troops of -soldiers thither, who scoured the forest, and dispersed the band. - -It happened that, after many years had passed, a portion of these -robbers found their way back. They were cautious at first, and wary, -but grew bolder as their numbers increased; and, at the time of which -we are speaking, their operations were seriously felt by the shepherds, -the farmers, and the woodmen. - -Their head-quarters were in a large cave. There they plotted mischief -and divided the spoils. - -It was in this cave that, late one summer’s night, they came together, -each bringing with him the booty he had secured during the day. -Blazing torches hung around on the dark walls. In the corners were -piles of grain, fruit, meats, stolen from the farmers; also bags and -portmanteaus taken from unfortunate travellers. - -They gathered about the long table,--tall, gaunt figures, with dark -faces,--they gathered about the long table with but few words, for they -had travelled fast and far, and were eager for food. - -When their appetites were satisfied, their captain drew forth a heavy -bag, from which he emptied a heap of gold. Half of this he locked up in -an iron box, and was proceeding to divide the remainder, when, chancing -to raise his eyes, he saw, standing at the foot of the table, a man of -great size, dressed in skins and well armed. A company of men, dressed -and armed like himself, but inferior in size, were stealing softly into -the cave and grouping themselves around him. - -“Betrayed!” shouted the robbers; and each man felt for his sword. - -But the fierce-looking stranger threw down his arms, bade his followers -do the same, and, waving his hand to the company, said:-- - -“No, not betrayed. We are no spies, but, on the contrary, would become -your friends. Listen, now, for a while, that I may show you how well -we shall agree, and that our interests are the same. Do you love a wild -life, and to be your own masters?” - -“We do.” - -“So do I. Do you like plenty of gold, good living, and light labor?” - -“We do.” - -“So do I. Do you care for law?” - -“We do not.” - -“Neither do I. For knowledge?” - -“We do not.” - -“Neither do I. For goodness?” - -“We do not.” - -“Neither do I, my friends. And now another question. Do you hate King -Brondé?” - -“We do!” they exclaimed. - -“Do you wish his destruction?” - -“We do.” - -“Will you do your best to accomplish this?” - -“We will! We will!” they cried. - -“And so will I. You see, now, how well we are agreed, and that our -interests are the same. My name is Magnus. These are my trusty -followers. Shake hands, my brave fellows. Right! We are brothers -now. You hate King Brondé, because it was to make room for him that -your once powerful band was dispersed. Many of you mourn the loss of -friends, comrades, kindred, slain by his orders.” - -“True! True!” they cried, eagerly. - -“Yes, true,” exclaimed Magnus. “And I hate King Brondé because he is -richer and luckier than myself. There is no reason why I should not -have wedded a princess and inherited a kingdom. I am as strong to -protect, as brave to defend. And I seek his death; for, when he is -gone, I need not then say, ‘I am the largest and strongest man living, -except--’; but, ‘I am the largest and strongest man living,’--and -nothing more. I have a plan, my friends, which I will now unfold to -you.” - -This speech was received with cheers and wild hurrahs; but Magnus, with -a wave of his hand, said:-- - -“Quietly, my brave fellows. Our time is not yet. Nothing can be done -openly. King Brondé is surrounded by brave soldiers, who would shed for -him their last drop of blood. Listen now.” - -There was then deep silence in the cave, while Magnus, in a long -speech, unfolded his plans. - -But what those plans were, need not here be related, since all who read -further will discover for themselves. - - - - -CHAPTER V. - -MEETING OF THE FAIRIES. - - -Now on this very night the Green Fairy was holding her court in Daisy -Hollow, deep in the forest. How lovely were these pretty creatures, as -they appeared, one after another, their bright wings fluttering, and -glistening with dew! - -Truly fairy-like were their greetings! A mortal, listening near, might -have supposed he heard only the sighing of the summer breeze, the -murmur of brooklets, or the far-off tinkling of little bells. - -But their queen allowed them very little time for greeting. For it -had been long since they met, and much was to be told and much heard, -before the dawn. She therefore began singing:-- - - “Where the softest grass is found, - Quickly form your circle round. - Let each one say, - E’er the dawning of day, - What wonderful things she has seen on her way. - Through meadow and wildwood ye’ve been on the wing, - What news do ye bring? What news do ye bring?” - -They then began telling, each in turn, of all their adventures since -the last meeting. And, at last, one little pink fairy jumped up -briskly, singing thus; and, as she sang, a little attendant fairy -echoed her last words:-- - - “I know a cave in the forest deep, - Forest deep, - Where a wicked band their revels keep, - Revels keep. - Old Magnus now has joined them too, - Joined them too, - With his bold and fearless crew, - Fearless crew. - I scented mischief in the air, - In the air. - There’s mighty mischief brewing there, - Brewing there.” - -Now, when the Green Fairy heard this, she quickly broke up the court. -For Magnus’s hatred of King Brondé was well known to her; and, although -ignorant of his plans, yet she knew very well whose life they would -endanger. - -In the shape of an owl she flew into the cave, and there, perched on a -rock near the roof, she listened while Magnus made known to the company -his intentions with regard to King Brondé and his court. - -Next day, changing herself to a beautiful bird, she flew swiftly to the -palace, where the queen was sitting with her ladies upon the balcony. -And while flying over their heads, she sang thus:-- - - “There is danger in the air. - Lily Queen, beware, beware! - Danger dark to one you love; - Bid him not afar to rove; - Bid him keep a watchful care; - There is danger in the air!” - -None but the queen understood the song. The ladies only said, “Truly a -pretty bird, and a sweet singer!” and wondered why it was that their -Lily Queen turned so deadly pale and left them so hastily. - -She ran swiftly through the rooms of the palace, found the king in his -private apartments, and eagerly told him of the beautiful bird and its -warning song. - -But when the king learned that the others had only heard sweet music, -he treated the matter rather lightly, thinking it to be merely her -fancy. What could a little woman fear, he said, who had a husband so -big and strong! But, that she might be comforted, he promised to be -watchful, and not to roam about the forest unattended. If he had only -known what we know, he would have sent to the city for a strong army of -soldiers, who could easily have taken possession of the cave and routed -the whole band. - -But, as he did not know, he only took his Lily Queen upon his knee, -and there they sat, a long, long time, talking of their sweet little -Rosebud, and of old times, and of the good king, her father, and how -she was near dying in the rocky chasm. And then, as she felt his brown -curls brushing her cheek, she confessed, for the first time, the trick -she played him on their way from the mountains. But I don’t believe he -was at all angry with her,--do you? - -Not long after this, as the king and all his court were amusing -themselves one fine morning on the lawn, in front of the palace, there -came running in among them a wood-cutter, crying out that two lions had -been seen in the forest! Then ran every man for his bow and spear, the -king as swift as any. All were eager for the hunt, but the queen was -full of alarm. She wept, and, clasping the hands of her husband, begged -him to remain. But this, of course, he would not do. What were a couple -of lions to a strong man like him? - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - -GOING A HUNTING, AND WHAT CAME OF IT. - - -Now these were the orders which Magnus had given to his company. - -First, no blood must be shed. King Brondé’s men were to be carried off -prisoners to his strong castle, in a far country,--an immense castle, -whose walls were of such thickness, and so well defended, that the king -of the country himself dared not attack it. The ladies of the court -were also to be taken to the castle, and even their children. For all -these prisoners, Magnus expected that heavy ransoms would be offered in -silver and gold. King Brondé, loaded with chains, would be confined in -the cave, until Magnus should decide the manner of his death. As for -the lower people, the wood-cutters, foresters, laborers, they must also -be carried off with the rest, as laboring men were much needed at the -castle. - -But in the first place Magnus sent a message to the powerful band he -had left behind, commanding that one hundred of his strongest, boldest -men, well armed, should come to him without delay. - -As soon as this order was received, one hundred strong, bold men, well -armed, mounted their fleetest horses, and rode night and day until they -reached the cave. - -Spies were then sent out, with orders to watch the movements of King -Brondé, and to give timely notice whenever he should go forth to hunt. - -But a whole week passed, and still the wished-for notice was not given. - -“King Brondé is weary of hunting deer,” said one of the men, as they -were gathered, one evening, in the cave. - -“If that be so,” cried Magnus, “why, we can easily manage a lion or -two.” - -[Illustration] - -He then made a sign to one of his men, who suddenly gave such a -terrible roar that the whole company sprang to their feet, thinking -there was surely a lion near. - -Magnus then took some skins, and had them stuffed so well that they -might easily, at a distance, be taken for lions. - -Not long after this the most terrible roarings were heard in the -forest, and on several occasions, when the wood-cutters were walking -homeward at twilight, the stuffed lions were popped out so suddenly -before them, with such awful roarings, that they ran home almost out of -their wits, and with scarcely breath enough to tell the story. - -This trick of the robbers accomplished their purpose. The wood-cutter, -with his story, startled the whole court. All were eager to join the -lion hunt; and, in an hour’s time after the alarm was given, lords, -high captains, knights, squires, pages, foresters, woodmen, were -scouring the forest in every direction. - -It was a fine, breezy day. The skies were clear, the sun shone -brightly, birds sang sweetly. The horses were fleet, the hearts of the -huntsmen were light and gay. Baying of hounds, merry shouts and bugle -calls, resounded through the forest. - - * * * * * - -Orders had been given that at midday all should assemble at Daisy -Hollow, there to report progress, and to partake of the refreshment -which must at that time be needed. - -Accordingly, at the time appointed, they began to appear, one after -another, at this rendezvous, and to relate their adventures. - -It seemed that but little had been done. One had seen a tail, another -a head, many had heard roarings, and many had neither seen nor heard -anything at all. Provisions were spread upon the grass, and, after -eating and drinking, the whole company joined in singing a hunting-song. - - * * * * * - -Meanwhile, Magnus’s men had quietly formed a circle around the Hollow, -and were eagerly awaiting from their leader the signal to advance. -Magnus had ordered that each should select his man, he himself taking -King Brondé. But knowing that the strength of his rival fully equalled -his own, he had selected from the company ten stout men to assist him. - -While the hunting party were gayly eating and drinking, the circle -had been gradually closing around them. As soon as the singing began, -Magnus waved his sword. This was the signal agreed upon, and the wild -crew crept stealthily forward among the trees, now flat upon the grass, -now over rocks, and now forcing with their swords a way through tangled -thickets. - -And at last, just as the chorus of the merry band rang loudly and -cheerily out, they burst with loud cries from the wood, and in an -instant each one of the hunters found himself laid prostrate upon the -ground, a powerful foot upon his breast, a sharp knife at his throat. -And so quickly and so skilfully was this accomplished, that hardly a -single drop of blood had been shed. - -The moment that King Brondé saw the powerful form bending over him, -he knew well who was his enemy. Exerting all his immense strength, he -endeavored to set himself free. But Magnus was armed, and had strength -fully equal to his own. He was also assisted by the ten picked men. - -King Brondé, recollecting the little vial hanging at his neck, -contrived to draw it forth, and was in the act of drawing out the cork -with his teeth, when Magnus, who knew its contents, snatched it away, -at the same time breaking the cord. - -But in the contest the little vial fell to the ground. Magnus vainly -sought it, for one of Brondé’s men, who had in some way escaped from -his captor, very cunningly, with the tip of his sword, rolled it under -a plantain-leaf. When the search was over, he hid it in his bosom, and -amid the confusion contrived to make his way unnoticed to the woods, -and so escaped. - -King Brondé and his men were taken to the cave, and there made to -exchange clothes with their captors. Magnus cut off King Brondé’s fair -curls, and covered with them his own coarse black locks, that the Lily -Queen might suppose him to be the real Brondé. - -The robbers then, clothed in the garments of their prisoners, and -bearing their bows and spears, marched boldly to the palace. Now the -queen and all her ladies were met upon the Velvet Lawn, near the -palace, where they were amusing themselves by shooting at a mark. They -wore dresses of pure white, their heads were adorned with wreaths of -flowers, and about their waists were green garlands. Their arrows were -silver-tipped, and their bows decked with ribbons. But the dress of -Rosebud was green, besprinkled with diamonds like dew-drops on the -grass. For she was always dressed in this color, in remembrance of the -Green Fairy. - -The robbers approached, amid the winding of horns and bugle-blasts. - -“Ah!” cried Rosebud, “I see my stout, handsome father coming!” And she -was off like an arrow to meet him. - -“Ah, yes!” cried the queen; “there are my Brondé’s fair curls. And -there is the red feather I placed this morning in his cap!” - -Ah, poor Rosebud! And ah, poor Lily Queen! In one short hour after -this, queen, ladies, servants, children, laborers,--all were -prisoners! All bound, and on their way to some gloomy castle belonging -to Magnus. Also the costly treasures of the palace, the gold, the -jewels, the ermine robes,--everything of value which could be taken. - -One precious thing only was left, and this precious thing was the -king’s Rosebud. - -It happened in this way. - -Rosebud, with outstretched arms, ran to meet her father, her face -beaming with joy, her heart brimming over with love for him. He had -returned!--returned safe! Nothing had happened to him in the forest. - -“Dear, dear father!” she cried. - -As we all know, however, it was not really her father, but the wicked -Magnus. - -Now, when this wicked Magnus looked down into the face of Rosebud, he -beheld there something which he never saw before. He had seen courage, -he had seen strength, he had seen bravery; but a deep, o’erflowing -love, like that expressed in the flushed and beaming face before him, -he had never yet known. - -And while he secured her as his prisoner, and saw her tears, and the -horror and affright with which she regarded him, he felt a strange -desire creeping into his heart to bring back that same look again; and, -more than this, to have that beautiful look meant, really meant, for -himself. That grim, bad man actually felt that the love of a little -child would be a pleasant thing to have! - -“Very soon,” said he to himself, “she will have neither father nor -mother. I can very well manage that. I will then provide for her a -beautiful abode, and give her many pretty things, gay toys, fine -clothes, and she shall call me father. And when I come home she will -run with outstretched arms, and with a shining face, and will say, -‘Dear, dear father!’” - -Rosebud, therefore, was not sent away with the rest, but was placed on -a bed, in an upper chamber, all by herself, with the door locked. - -And in the middle of the night there came a stout man into the chamber, -who lifted her from the bed, saying:-- - -“I am sent by the great Magnus. You need not struggle, for I am strong; -nor cry aloud, for there are none to hear you; and you need not fear, -for no harm will befall you.” - -So Rosebud lay quite still in his arms, like a wounded bird, while he -trudged stoutly on, till they came to a place in the woods where stood -three men by a litter. Into this litter Rosebud was placed, and the -four men, each bearing one end of a pole, went on as rapidly as the -path would admit. - -On they travelled, day after day, a weary, weary way. But Rosebud -cared little for weariness. She mourned for her father, whose fate was -not known to her, and for her mother in the power of that cruel man. - -But so tender and so full of love was her little heart, that she could -not help pitying the men who had to carry her so far. And she spoke so -gently, and smiled so sweetly, in the midst of her grief, that even -those wild robbers were softened. They moved her tenderly, they placed -soft furs about her, and plucked, now and then, some pretty flower -which grew by the wayside, well pleased if she but smiled in return. - -And one of these, the guide, whose name was Rupert, resolved that -Rosebud should not be taken to Magnus, but that he himself would keep -her for his own. He had once been a simple-minded, laboring man, and -had joined the robbers only from being pressed by poverty. What though -outwardly rough and ungainly, his heart was kind, and so wholly drawn -to Rosebud, that he could not see her come to harm. He was weary of -roving, weary of strife. He would quit the castle, and in some other -kingdom would lead an honest life; and Rosebud should be his own child, -his pleasant little companion. He would go forth mornings, to work for -food; she would tidy up the house and welcome him back with smiles. - -Now this fine little plan was not fully carried out. A beginning, -however, was made, as will now be related. - -One night, after weeks of weary journeying,--not in the direction of -the castle, however, Rupert had seen to that,--after weeks of weary -journeying, they stopped by the edge of a wood for a few hours’ sleep. -Rosebud was lying in her litter, upon the ground. A lion-skin was -thrown over her, as a protection from the night dews. - -She heard the deep breathing of the men around her, and knew that they -were asleep. And as she lay there, quite still, looking up through -the branches at the twinkling stars, listening to the rustling of the -leaves as the night wind blew over them, she heard, so it seemed to -her, a whispering or murmuring voice, which appeared to come from a -tall, flowering shrub growing near, whose blossoms were white in the -moonlight. - -A soft, silvery voice it was, but Rosebud, listening carefully, could -distinguish words like these:-- - - “Be of good cheer, - O maiden dear; - No longer fear, - For help is near.” - -Rosebud opened wide her eyes to make sure it was not a dream. But no, -there were the stars, the rustling leaves, and the sleeping men around -her. - -[Illustration] - -Presently a whiskered face was brought close to her own, and a voice -whispered, “Do not speak; I am your true friend.” She then felt herself -lifted up and borne swiftly through the bushes. - -After some time, she was laid gently upon the ground and felt herself -sinking, sinking, very slowly, into a deep hole in the earth. But -the bottom was covered thick with leaves and soft grass; Rosebud, -therefore, was not at all hurt, but very much frightened; for why -should a true friend bury her up? - -Rupert, for it was he who was the true friend, then drew a fallen tree -over the hole, in such a manner that the air could easily make its way -through, and then, with all speed, he joined his comrades by the edge -of the woods. He lay quietly down among them, and, being very tired -from the long journey, fell sound asleep. - -At daylight he was aroused by the voices of his companions calling upon -him to rise quickly and help to find their little prisoner, who had -escaped, or had been carried away, during the night. Rupert then ran -eagerly about among the trees, taking care to go always in the wrong -direction. - -After long searching, they became weary and resolved to seek no longer. -For, said they, whatever may be her fate, the child cannot fare worse -than if in the hands of Magnus. - -But, in order to escape his anger, they agreed to leave the country and -never return. - -Now Rupert, as soon as the other three were at a safe distance, ran -quickly to release Rosebud. She was fast asleep! - -Some miles distant, close by the sea-shore, dwelt an old woman, who, -in her youth, had been the friend of Rupert’s mother; and it was in -her care that for the present he had determined to leave Rosebud. He -remained in the woods through the day, and at night took his little -girl in his arms, and carried her safely to the hut of this old woman. -It was his plan to leave her here, while he sought, in some distant -country, employment by which to support both her and himself. He would -then claim and keep her for his own. - -So Rosebud was left in the hut by the sea-shore, where she had some -truly wonderful adventures, all of which will be told at a proper time. -We must now see what became of King Brondé, whom we left with his men -in the Robbers’ Cave. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - -ESCAPING FROM PERILS. - - -All the other prisoners were carried away to the castle, but King -Brondé was left,--left alone in the cave. This was because it would -take too many men to guard him on the road. A strong band were to -return for him. He was, therefore, dragged to the deepest depths of -the cave, far from the light of day, and there securely bound. Magnus, -then, with his immense strength, and the assistance of his men, heaped -up at the entrance such a mountain of rocks, earth, and trees as would -require an army of men to remove. - -Now while the robbers, in the depths of the cave; were roughly -fastening their chains around good King Brondé, he observed that one -among them, who was very busy at his right arm, seemed much fiercer -than the rest, much more eager to bind him. And when, at one time, -this very zealous robber rudely thrust his hand beneath the robe of -the king, and directly over his heart, Brondé was sure that he meant, -with some hidden weapon, to deal him his death-blow. But the hand was -quickly withdrawn, and King Brondé felt that it had left something in -his bosom. Some deadly poison, he feared it was, which, working by slow -degrees, would destroy his life. Still he showed no fear, nor asked for -mercy, for freedom, or for life. - -And when the last man had disappeared, and he was left alone, a -prisoner, chained, buried in the depths of the earth, he by no means -despaired. A few glaring pine torches still blazed upon the walls, and -he resolved that, while these yet burned, he would exert his strength -to the utmost in an effort to burst his chains. Once freed from these, -he was possessed of a secret, by means of which he was sure of escaping. - -[Illustration] - -To his surprise and joy, on moving very slightly his right arm, the -chain dropped! His right arm was free! He quickly drew forth from his -bosom what had been so mysteriously placed there. It was a rude box, -made of dark wood. He must have touched some hidden spring, for the lid -flew up, and he beheld there the vial which had been lost in the fight. - -As he joyfully seized this lost treasure, now become doubly precious, -he touched another spring. A second lid flew up, and he saw within a -half-blown rosebud and a pure white lily, side by side. With tears of -joy he kissed the pretty flowers, emblems of his dear wife and child, -and his heart was comforted. For he had yet a friend able to assist -him,--a friend who would care for his loved ones. - -The mystery of this friend may as well be explained at once, and -now. He was the wood-cutter, whose little boy and girl Rosebud had -saved from the boat,--that little boy and girl with whom she ran, -hand in hand, along the forest paths, calling as they ran, “Tirra, -Tirra, Tirra, Tirra La!” She was kind and good to them always, and he -felt grateful, and longed to do her a service. When King Brondé was -overpowered in Green Hollow, on the day of the lion hunt, he kept close -by his side. It was he, who, with the tip of his sword, thrust the -little vial under the plantain-leaf, and afterwards escaped with it. -After the robbers had exchanged clothes with their prisoners, they -were, of course, dressed like himself. He then went boldly among them -and heard all their plans. As Magnus offered great rewards for the lost -vial, he felt sure it contained some secret charm, and resolved to -restore it to King Brondé. He was the very zealous robber who was so -eager to secure the right arm of the king, but who, in reality, left -the chain unfastened. - - * * * * * - -King Brondé, now, his right arm free, his lost treasure restored, felt -sure of escaping. He swallowed a few drops of the liquid, and then, -making one powerful effort, burst his chains and stood once more erect -with limbs unbound! - -After this, he lay for hours in a heavy sleep, or stupor. Upon -awakening, he found himself in complete darkness, the torches having -burnt out long before. After groping in the dark for some time, he -succeeded in finding the spot where the entrance had been, but the -masses of rock there heaped up were as firm as were the solid walls. He -felt for his vial, but it was gone. It had, no doubt, dropped upon the -ground, during that long sleep, and afterwards been crushed beneath his -heavy tread, for not a trace of it was ever found. - -But, as has been mentioned, he was possessed of a secret, by means of -which he might escape. - -It appears that, long before, and at the time their summer palace had -been built by the father of his Lily Queen, King Brondé had often, -while his men were ranging in the forest, examined this cave in every -part, and, being exceedingly tall, had made a discovery. And it was by -means of this discovery that he now proposed to gain his freedom. - -Climbing up, several yards from the ground, he reached an opening which -extended, not upwards, but horizontally, for thirty feet or more. -Through this he crept, until he came to a second opening, which led -upwards. Through this he began climbing, but soon found, to his sorrow, -that it was filled with rocks and earth. - -This opening was, no doubt, a private entrance to the cave, known -only to the leaders of the first band of robbers, until accidentally -discovered by King Brondé. - -The obstructions which now filled this opening he, with great labor, -at length removed. As there was no means of telling day from night, -it was impossible to know how much time was thus consumed. By degrees -he worked his way upwards, taking no rest, and at last felt himself -grasping the roots of trees. And presently after, to his great joy, -he perceived a ray of light! A faint, feeble ray, but it came, as he -knew, from the warm sun and through the free air! Redoubling now his -exertions, he pressed upwards, and not many hours elapsed before he -sprang forth into the open air, and stood, a free man, upon the side of -the mountain! - -Not knowing how many of his enemies might be near, he concealed himself -until evening, and then cautiously approached his palace. He watched -and listened long, but saw no light, heard no sound. What, then, had -become of all the ladies of the court? of his own Lily and precious -Rosebud? He entered the palace, wandered through its deserted chambers, -but found none to answer the questions he was so eager to ask. - -He stood long by the window, gazing at the desolate scene around, -vainly striving to think calmly, that he might decide upon some plan -of action. The moon shone brightly, lighting up the deserted lawn, the -woodland paths, the pleasant groves which had once rung with the music -of happy voices! He heard the bleating of a goat near. It was a little -white goat, belonging to Rosebud, and which she had fed daily. O, where -was Rosebud now? - -In his despair he was about to rush from the palace, when his attention -was arrested by a noise like that of distant music. As it grew nearer, -he could plainly distinguish the roll of drums. Nearer, still, it came, -and he saw the glitter of spears in the moonlight. - -“Magnus,” said he, “has returned; I will conceal myself.” He looked -again. O, the joyful surprise! They were his own soldiers!--his City -Guards! On they came, covering the vast lawn before the palace, the -wide meadows, and reaching, he could not tell how far, into the woods -beyond! - -Now who had sent this army to the rescue of King Brondé? It was that -same true friend, the wood-cutter. He had hastened to the city and -sounded the alarm. The soldiers of the City Guard heard, in the dead -hours of the night, loud cries. - -“The king! The king is in danger! Arouse! The king! The king is buried -alive! To arms! To arms!” And thus the whole city was aroused, and the -City Guards marched with all speed to Long Forest. But when they saw -him, alive and well, standing between the great brazen lions which -guarded the palace gate, they were overcome with joy, and made the -forest ring with cries and loud huzzas! - - * * * * * - -I will now relate how the castle of Magnus was burned, and his -prisoners set free. - -King Brondé first learned from the wood-cutter the name of the country -to which the robbers had fled with their prisoners. He then sent -messengers to the king of that country, saying that he should come with -his soldiers to rescue his family and his people, and demanding help. - -Now this king was feeble, both in mind and body, and had by no means -a large army at his command. He was, therefore, well pleased that King -Brondé should unite with him to break up that powerful band of robbers, -who, entrenched in their strong castle, had grown so strong and bold, -that they were the terror of the whole country, defying the king and -all his soldiers. - -These two kings, then, with their two armies, marched boldly to the -castle. The robbers, fearing no danger, had set no watchmen upon the -towers. They were surprised and captured. Their prisoners were found -confined, far apart from each other, in dismal cells. These were set -free, while Magnus and all his men were carried off in chains, by the -king of the country. The castle was then set on fire. This all took -place in the night. - -As may well be imagined, there were many joyful meetings among the -prisoners. Husbands and wives, parents and children, brothers and -sisters, rushed to embrace each other. King Brondé pressed to his -heart the pale Lily Queen, with tears of joy. And next the two elder -princesses were folded in his arms. - -“But where is Rosebud?” he cried, looking eagerly among the crowd. - -And, “Where is Rosebud?” asked the Lily Queen of the king. - -Alas, neither of them could tell where was Rosebud! - -And all were certain that it was not known even to Magnus himself, -for many inquiries about her had been made by him, and large rewards -offered, but all in vain. It was known that four men had set out with -her from Long Forest, but not one of these four men had been heard from -since. Grateful, then, as were the king and queen at being restored to -each other, their return home was but sorrowful, for the joy of their -life, their darling Rosebud, was lost to them, and O, would she ever, -ever be found? - -But King Brondé and his soldiers and the whole assembly must now depart -for their own country. Trumpets were sounded, drums beaten, bugle calls -rang loud and clear, and at dawn of the day word was given to move -forward. - -Thus, with the blazing castle behind them, and the glowing eastern -sky before, they began their journey home. A happy journey to the -husbands and wives, parents and children, so lately reunited, but full -of sadness to King Brondé and his Lily Queen, mourning for their lost -Rosebud! - -Let us leave them, now, to find their way back to Long Forest, while we -learn how it fares with their child, in the hut of the old woman. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -LIFE AT THE SEA-SHORE. - - -If Rupert had known more of this old woman, he certainly would not -have left Rosebud in her care. The place where she lived was under -the control of a powerful lord, or governor, appointed by the king of -that country. This lord had in various parts of his dominions curious -little stone cages, very small stone cages, in which he shut up such as -offended him; and of one of these our old woman was the keeper. They -were very mysterious cages. No one knew where they were, except their -owner, their prisoners, and their keepers. The approach to them was -hidden. Several of these were placed in an extensive wood, which could -be seen from the hut. It was called the Enchanted Wood. - -It was called the Enchanted Wood, on account of sounds frequently heard -there; sometimes singing, sometimes notes of a musical instrument, and -at other times sorrowful moans. The prisoners could, of course, have -explained these sounds; but as they were not free to do it, and no one -else could or would, it happened that the place obtained the name of -the Enchanted Wood. Besides being the keeper of one of these cages, our -old woman was friendly with a number of bad characters from whom she -received stolen money and jewels, which she hid for them in the cellar -beneath her hut. She was a little bent old woman, with thin gray locks -about her withered face, and always wore a small blue blanket pinned -over her head. Being lame, she never went without her staff. - -“What are you crying for?” she said, as Rosebud sat weeping, after -Rupert had said good by. “What are you crying for? there, go to bed.” -And she pushed open the door of a closet which contained one stool, and -one little mattress of straw, and one very small square window. - -This was the best she could give Rosebud,--Rosebud, so lately come from -the splendid chambers, the velvet cushions, the decorated walls, the -lofty ceilings, the soft couches of a palace, where helpful servants -were glad to do her bidding, and where, better than all, she was blest -with the love of her dear father and mother. Poor little Rosebud! She -thought, while crying herself to sleep, that she would gladly live in -the hut, could she but see the pale face of her mother bending over -her for a good-night kiss, or lay her weary head upon her father’s big -shoulder, and feel his arms clasped lovingly around her. But Rosebud -had become quite accustomed to crying herself to sleep now, and, being -weary from so long a journey, was soon quite unconscious whether she -were in a hut or a palace. - -The next morning she found that three grandchildren lived with the old -woman,--a girl named Bess, another girl named Judy, and a little boy -called Grump. She could hear them from her room, quarrelling over their -breakfast, calling each other names, while the old woman scolded or -beat them with her staff. - -Rosebud opened her door and stood among them with that same sweet, -innocent look which had already won so many hearts, and spoke to them -pleasantly. The children gazed upon her with wonder, their rude voices -hushed. It was as if some rare flower had suddenly bloomed out before -them, or some sweet song-bird had alighted there! - -After breakfast she was ordered to help scour the platters, sand the -floor, wash the potatoes, and drive the geese to water, and then to go -with the others to pick up drift-wood. - -Drift-wood is whatever bits of board, sticks, or timber the waves throw -up and leave upon the sand. This drift-wood was collected at low water, -dried in the sun, and supplied the people of the shore with their -winter’s fuel. - -Rosebud was delighted with this employment. The ocean was new to her, -and she was never tired of looking at the foaming, tumbling waves, the -sea-birds skimming over the water, the far-off white-sailed ships, or -the smaller boats tossing up and down near the shore. For the beach was -inhabited by fishermen who owned a great many boats. She longed to be -in one of these, and sit riding all so lightly upon the waves. - -[Illustration] - -And Grump promised to give her a boat-ride, for he could manage an oar -very well. - -“But not now,” said he, “while granny is watching, for if too little -wood is got, then she will beat us. But when she goes to the town, -then we’ll go, up and down, up and down, all day long. Shall you like -that? What a funny name! Rosebud! Where did you come from? How white -your face is! All but your cheeks, and they are the color of these pink -shells! And what a pretty green robe!” - -But Rosebud did not tell Grump where she came from. Rupert had told her -it would not be well for the old woman to find it out. For she might -take her to Magnus, in hopes of a reward. - - * * * * * - -Rosebud very soon became accustomed to the life of the shore, could -run about on the sands barefoot, and lift her basketful with the rest. -She never grew weary of watching the sea when the wind was high, or of -picking up shells in the sands, or of being rowed about in the little -boats by Grump, in the calm summer afternoons when work was over. -Still, she had many sad hours, and would have had many more, only for -the company of Grump, who was always full of talk, and ready to help. - -“O, if I only had a white face,” said he one day. “A white face is so -pretty. Would granny be very angry, Rosebud, if I washed my face again?” - -Rosebud laughed at this. - -“And why should your granny be angry?” she asked. - -“Bess took some soap one day,” said he, “and scrubbed my face, and it -turned very red, and then very white, and granny came home from the -town, and she beat me for it with her cane, and shut me up for a great -many days. It was very long ago, but I have not forgotten.” - -“Never mind,” said Rosebud; “if shut up, you can still hear the dashing -of the waves, and I will sit and sing beneath your window. And you -would have no wood to fetch. Come, here is a spring, and pray be in -haste.” - -Then Grump began scrubbing. And his face first became red and then -white, and at last a beautiful red and white. His eyes were blue, like -Rosebud’s, but darker. There was a color in his cheeks, like Rosebud’s, -but brighter. His curls were shorter than Rosebud’s, and thicker and -browner, and were pushed back from his broad white forehead, while hers -drooped in ringlets about her face. He had a round, rosy mouth, and two -pretty rows of white teeth, the same as Rosebud. - -“Now, that is good,” cried Rosebud. “And you look much too pretty to be -called Grump. I must think of some nicer name than that for so nice a -boy. What shall I call you?” - -“Call me something that goes well with Rosebud,” said Grump; “for now -that you are come, I shall work with you more than anybody, and play -with you more than anybody, for I like you more than anybody. Rosebud, -I like you very much indeed.” - -“That is very kind of you,” said Rosebud. “I wonder what we shall call -you. What does go well with Rosebud?” - -Grump couldn’t think of anything that went so much with rosebuds as -thorns. But that would not do, for Rosebud said he was not in the least -like a thorn. At length she remembered a very pretty song she had heard -about the rose and the myrtle. Suppose he should be called Myrtle. How -would he like that? O, very much, very much indeed. And thus it was -agreed that he should be called Myrtle. - -But granny did not shut the boy up or even notice him at all. She -probably had other matters to trouble her. For every day she came home -very cross from the town, and sat crouching in the corner, muttering, -and poking the ashes with her cane. Perhaps some prisoner had escaped -from her stone cage. Or perhaps she had heard that the owners of the -stolen jewels she had hidden were in search of them. No one could tell. - -So Myrtle grew cleaner and prettier and happier every day. And -strangers, walking upon the beach, often stopped to wonder at the -strange loveliness of the little barefoot boy and girl, as they ran -pattering along the sands with their wood-baskets. Rosebud, with her -pleasant face and gentle ways, soon became a favorite with the children -of the shore. They were all eager to play with her, to help her pick -up wood and moss among the rocks, to show her where the birds built, -and often coaxed her to their huts, that the family at home might know -this lovely little stranger. Thus she never lacked for company. - -But, as the summer wore away, she sickened for home and friends, and -in the midst of the happy children felt all, all alone. And one day, -one calm, bright summer day, when she and Myrtle were floating about in -their little boat, which scarcely moved, so still was the water, she -told him her whole history,--told it with sobs and tears and broken -words, which caused Myrtle to sigh and weep too, although he strove -to talk bravely, and promised Rosebud that, when he was only one year -older, they would set out together to seek her friends or to learn -their fate. He himself was tired of their gloomy little hut. - -The hut, indeed, was but a cheerless home. For as months passed, and -still Rupert did not appear, the old woman became angry that Rosebud -should be left so long, and no money sent. And she was cruel to the -child, and laid tasks upon her too heavy to bear. Bess and Judy, seeing -that Rosebud was better liked than themselves, became envious. And -they, too, gave her rough words and sometimes blows. - -“You pink-faced thing, you! You eat our bread!” they cried. - -But not when Myrtle was by. They did not dare. Her brave defender was -Myrtle; for he believed the whole world could not produce another so -good, so kind, so lovely as their Rosebud. - -Indeed, from the very first, this boy had seemed to consider himself -bound to shield from all harm the delicate, gentle child, who had come -among them. He performed her rougher tasks, he made his sisters afraid -to ill-use her, and even one day faced the old woman herself, and, when -she was about to strike Rosebud, caught the staff from her hand! - -So, when he was by, Bess and Judy did not dare show their ill temper. -Neither did they dare give him any other name than Myrtle when within -his reach. But sometimes, when they were safe behind granny, they would -call him “Grump.” Or, if he were off a little way from the shore, in -his boat, they would sit upon the rocks, calling out, “Grump! Grump! -how is your health, Grump!” - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - -THE FLOWER-GARDEN. - - -One day Myrtle met Rosebud coming from the fishermen’s huts, looking -quite sorrowful. - -“Pretty little Rosebud,” said he, “what troubles you, I pray?” - -“Alas!” said Rosebud, “I have now nothing to bestow. I have seen a -little lame child, and a poor, suffering, sick young maiden, and a pale -woman, dressed all in black, who weeps every day. And I have nothing -to bestow. At the palace were so many beautiful things, and gold in -plenty. The wood-cutters’ children were so pleased when I brought -them gifts! Now I have nothing! Not even a flower! But, Myrtle,” she -cried, “we will plant flowers! and they will grow! And we will gather -such sweet nosegays! Nosegays and garlands for everybody! for all love -flowers. Flowers such as I plucked in my own garden. Bright, blooming, -fragrant flowers!” she continued, mournfully, her voice growing every -moment fainter and more sorrowful. Myrtle feared she was going to cry, -and so made haste to answer. - -“But we have no seeds. And, besides, winter is coming; flowers die in -the winter.” - -“True,” said Rosebud; “we will wait till spring. The rich man, who -lives behind the hill yonder, has a fine garden. I have looked through -at the beds of flowers, often; and I shall beg seeds from the gardener.” - -“But the dog!” cried Myrtle. “His great, black, barking dog! he might -tear you in pieces!” - -“But I shall pat his head,” said Rosebud; “and I shall say, ‘Good -doggie!’ It is not wise to be always afraid.” - - * * * * * - -Winter was now approaching. Storms were frequent, cold winds blew, the -sea became rough, and the high waves came roaring, tumbling, foaming to -the shore. Snow fell, fishing-boats were hauled up out of reach of the -tide, and soon the beach was covered with cakes of ice. The children -were often compelled to remain for days and weeks inside the hut. - -For employment, Rosebud began to make various things of the shells -collected in summer. The sick girl had taught her. Beautiful shells -they were; pink, yellow, purple, and white, and very pretty boxes, -baskets, vases they made. Even Bess and Judy begged to learn, and -Myrtle helped too. - -“And now we have something to bestow!” cried Rosebud, one day. -“This, now, shall be for the little lame child. She will look up so -pleasantly, with her soft brown eyes! And the pale woman in black, -who is weeping always, she shall have this small, pure white basket. -Perhaps she may smile for once.” - -“No!” cried the old woman, looking up from the ashes,--“no, I say! They -shall be sold,--sold in the town! Can you tell me where your bread is -to come from?” - -So all the pretty things were taken to the town and sold. And the old -woman, finding they brought money, compelled them to work every stormy -day until the shells were gone. But whenever it was possible to leave -the house they were made to pick up drift-wood as usual. Bitter cold -work it was, creeping among the ice-cakes and over the slippery rocks! - -The days when granny was away were happy days for them. They could then -sing their songs, tell their stories, play their plays, and invite to -their hut the little children of the shore, without fearing blows from -the old staff. - -In the summer Rosebud had taken very little notice of the doings of -granny. She only knew, that, although appearing quite lame, she went -often to the town; that when at home she did little but poke in the -ashes and smoke her pipe; and now Rosebud began to wonder how she fed -them all. She spoke of this to Myrtle, but he only shook his head, and -said granny would not bear to be questioned, and that she would be very -sorry if she made the old woman angry. - -Now, as Rosebud had no wish to make the old woman angry, she kept her -mouth shut, but opened her eyes very wide, and wondered why granny -muttered so much to herself, and fell asleep often in her chair, and, -when asleep, muttered strange things, and whose were the voices she -heard evenings, when all the children were in bed?--gruff men’s voices. - -And, when tired of wondering at all these, she would wonder about -Rupert, and why he never had come for her as he promised, and almost -hoped he would not, now that she had become accustomed to her new life, -and to Myrtle, and to all the children of the shore, and that there was -so much to be done, when winter was over, about the garden. She hoped -Rupert would leave her there, at least until the earth had been dug up -and the seeds planted, and the plants came up and budded and bloomed, -and lovely nosegays had been gathered. - -Poor Rupert! Rosebud need neither have feared nor wondered concerning -his coming had she known the ill that had befallen him. - -It may be remembered that, when Rosebud was taken from the palace, she -wore a green dress besprinkled with diamonds. Now, on the day in which -Rupert had taken her to the hut, while waiting in the wood for the -approach of evening, Rosebud, at his request, gave him those diamonds, -that he might with them pay the expenses of his journey. And, had he -known their real value, all might have gone well with him; but, as he -by no means knew the worth of these jewels, all went ill with him. - -For at an inn of some great city he offered one of them for a loaf of -bread, two cuts of bacon, and a night’s lodging. - -“You thief!” cried the innkeeper, and called an officer of justice, -who arrested him upon the spot. The unlucky Rupert was stripped of his -jewels and thrown into prison, where he was lying, sad and miserable, -all the time his little girl was thinking how strange it was that he -came not as he had promised. - - * * * * * - -But, as spring drew near, Rosebud gave up all her thinking and her -wondering, and began hoping. She hoped the weather would be mild, hoped -granny would let her have a garden, hoped the dog would not bite, hoped -the gardener would not refuse the seeds, hoped every one would come up, -hoped the high winds would not blow them over, hoped the plants would -bud, and the buds would blossom, and the blossoms would look lovely, -smell sweet, and delight everybody. - -The snow now began to melt, and the grass to spring up in the fields -above the beach. Leaves came out upon the trees,--red at first, and -tender, but soon so bright and green that the birds came back to build -among them. The days grew longer, the sun shone higher in the heavens -at noonday. The fishermen again launched their boats upon the waters, -now no longer dark and ice-bound, but brightly blue, sparkling in the -sunlight. - -The planting season had come. There was no need of longer putting off -their grand project. The ground was already soft. Myrtle thought it -better not to ask granny, lest she should say no, but to work in the -very early mornings, before the others were stirring. This would not -interfere with their daily tasks. - -They dug up the ground, and brought basketfuls of soil from beyond the -beach; for the hut stood in a barren, sandy spot. - -The dog did not bite; he was chained. The gardener was a rough man. -When he saw Rosebud coming, he caught up his stick, and cried, “Be off! -you--” - -But when he looked down into her gentle, pleading face, as it was -upturned to him, he left the sentence unfinished, and said, quite -mildly, “Do you want anything of me?” - -“Please, sir, some flower-seeds, for my garden, sir,” said Rosebud. - -“Humph!” cried he. “And what will you pay?” - -“I will pay you two shell-baskets,” said Rosebud,--“a pink and a white -shell-basket; and here they are,”--for she had made them that morning -to bring. - -“Ha!” cried he. “These will please my wife! Here, take the seeds.” - -And he gave Rosebud her apron full. - -And when Myrtle returned with the old fisherman, who had before dawn -taken him off to fish in his boat, she ran down to meet him, and to -display all these treasures. And long the two sat together upon the -rocks, gazing with wonder at the tiny atoms from which such beautiful -things were to grow. - -The garden was once more dug over, and its surface smoothed. And by the -next fine day their seeds were snug in the ground, waiting patiently, -as seeds do always, for their time to come up. - -Now that the snow was gone and the weather mild, the children of the -shore could pat along on the sands again; and, hearing of the wonderful -garden, they came often to the hut, to watch the planting of the seeds, -and to see what might happen next. - -There was great joy, therefore, along the shore, when the first pale, -tender sprouts appeared above the ground, and all came running to see. -For never before had there been a flower-bed upon the beach. And as for -Rosebud and Myrtle, they could hardly bear to be a single hour away, -lest some little green stranger should come to town in their absence. - -Those were the days when the pewter platters got but few scrubbings, -and when the broom came to but little wear; when the pretty shells were -neglected, and the drift-wood was tumbled hastily into the baskets. - -O, when would the flowers come? What color? How large? Fragrant? Would -they last? - -“’Twill be a pity to pluck them,” said Rosebud, “after they have taken -so much pains to grow.” - -“But then they would die on the stalk, you know,” said Myrtle. - -And it was therefore agreed that the flowers should be cut off, no -matter how lovely. - -And many sick people might have been cheered by them, and many a dark -room brightened, had not something happened to prevent it all. It was a -strange adventure, this that happened to our Rosebud, and should have a -chapter by itself. - - - - -CHAPTER X. - -A NEW ACQUAINTANCE. - - -One night Rosebud was awakened in the middle of the night by the moon -shining full in her face; and, while lying there awake, she heard a -noise of some one moving in the next room. Presently the outer door -shut, and the footsteps were heard outside. - -[Illustration] - -Rosebud sprang to her little window, and saw the old woman hobbling -away quite fast, and carrying a lighted lantern. - -Now Rosebud had, besides a whole heart full of love, two other things -very good in their place, namely, great curiosity and great courage. -The first of these caused her to wonder why granny should carry a -lighted lantern on such a bright night, and the second to follow and -find out for herself. - -Throwing an old cloak about her, she hastened out, and caught sight of -the old woman disappearing over the brow of a hill. Running quite fast, -she gained the top, and saw granny with her cane fast crossing the -meadow beyond. - -After the meadow came another hill, then a hollow, then still another -hill very steep, and then a wide strip of barren land called “The -Plains.” Beyond this was the Enchanted Wood. And it was towards this -Wood that the old woman directed her steps,--Rosebud following not far -behind, her little bare feet never heeding the stones. - -But very suddenly granny disappeared. It seemed to Rosebud that the old -woman must have sunk into the earth. She came to the very spot where -the flutter of her blue blanket had a moment before been seen, but -could find no trace of her. It was very near the edge of the wood. But -granny could not have entered, for just there the thicket was thorny -and tangled, and not even the crack of a twig or the rustle of a leaf -had Rosebud heard. - -“I am very far from home,” thought the little girl, looking round, “and -in the middle of the night too. But is not the moonlight as safe as -the sunlight? It is surely much prettier.” - -Everything was quiet. The trees seemed holding their branches still -for the moon to shine upon them. How they glistened in its rays! only -stirring a very little now and then, with a rustle, whispering softly, -just to tell what pretty things some passing zephyr had said to them. - -But it suddenly occurred to Rosebud that granny might reach home by -some other way, and find her room empty. “I will go now,” she thought, -“and return in the morning.” - -At the hut all was just as she had left it. She crept softly into -bed, and resolved to lie awake until granny’s return, but long before -daylight was sound asleep. - -The next morning, as soon as breakfast was over, and the old woman had -taken her staff, pinned on her blue blanket, and hobbled off, Rosebud, -without telling Bess or Judy, or even Myrtle,--lest he persuade her to -remain at home,--hastened away over hills and plains, until she came to -the edge of the Enchanted Wood, where on the night before granny had so -suddenly vanished. - -While looking about in search of some hidden cavern or grotto, she saw -lovely flowers growing among the bushes. These were charming, and would -make fine nosegays or most lovely garlands. - -She entered the Wood and rambled on and on, taking any path which -offered, and while plucking the lovely flowers, and also the purple -berries, forgot that the hours were flying so swiftly; and when at last -she became weary, and would have returned, there appeared no way of -getting from the Wood. Many paths were tried, but all in vain; and at -length, overcome with fatigue, she sank down upon a mossy bank to rest. - -But she was hardly seated before she heard, not far off, a voice -singing. It was a young girl’s voice, very sweet, but full of sadness. - - “Alone, alone! - Alas, my true love has gone! - To the wars he is marching on, - And I am alone!” - -Looking in the direction of the voice, Rosebud saw, a few yards from -her, what seemed to be a pile of rocks surrounded by trees. She stepped -softly that way. When quite near, some one spoke--some young girl--in -gentle tones, and said, “What do you seek, little one?” - -“Only to know who sang so sweetly,” replied Rosebud, faintly. - -“And if you knew,” said the voice, “would you, if you could, do the -singer a service?” - -“O yes,” cried Rosebud, “and with all my heart. But I am only a little -girl,--only Rosebud, that lives in a little hut upon the sands, with -Bess, and Judy, and Myrtle, and our poor lame granny.” - -“Does your granny wear a blue blanket?” asked the voice; “and is she a -little deaf? and does she mutter to herself, and carry a staff?” - -“How did you know all that?” asked Rosebud. - -“Your granny is the keeper of my cage,” replied the voice. “She comes -by night to bring food for me and my little maid. Come near, Rosebud; -you need not be afraid. I am only a young maiden, not so very much -bigger than yourself. My uncle is lord of the land here, but not so -powerful as my father, my brave father, who has now gone to the wars; -for he is king, and rules over the whole country. O, he was loving -and kind, and gave to me jewels and fine clothes in plenty! But, ah! -he will not let me have my true love till one, two, three years have -passed over my head. Yet I can tell you that I am already very old. - -“And, Rosebud, before going to the wars he sent me to visit my uncle, -that I might forget my true love. And my uncle is a wicked, cruel man, -and a tyrant over me; but I am proud and defy him. He persuades my -father, in his letters, that I am bad, and will be glad to make him -believe this of me. Were I to die, would he grieve for it? Not at all; -for then he would inherit the kingdom. I sought to escape, and that -is why I am here, although he says it is that I may forget. Is this a -place to forget? O no. For what says the song? - - ‘When the wind goes sobbing by, - I think my love doth sigh, - Doth sigh for me. - - ‘When the sun is brightly gleaming, - Then I sit, dreaming, dreaming - He smiles on me. - - ‘When the rain-drops tear by tear - Do fall, I think my dear - Doth weep for me. - - ‘When the sea so sadly moans, - I think in mournful tones - He calls for me.’ - -“But I will escape from here,” she said, suddenly ceasing her song. “I -will flee to my native home; for there are those who will be my guides -when once at liberty. And you will do me a service, Rosebud, as you -promised?” - -“O yes, indeed!” cried Rosebud; “but how? Where is the door? Where is -your little maid? What is your name?” - -“My name is Bertha. My little maid is asleep. There is no door,--at -least not here. At the edge of the Wood is a mossy gray rock. Behind -this rock is a flat stone. Beneath that stone commences the long -underground passage which will lead you here. But have you courage?” - -“O yes!” cried Rosebud, with eagerness; “I will come instantly!” - -“That,” said Bertha, “you cannot do. Listen now, while I give you -instructions. Do you fear the night?” - -“No, pretty Bertha,” said Rosebud. “For me the night is often more -beautiful than the day. I walked behind my granny, last night, a long -way in the moonlight, and was not afraid.” - -And Rosebud then related to Bertha what had happened, and how she had -followed the old woman. - -“Ah, I see that you have courage!” said Bertha; “you will not fail me. -But why do you say ‘pretty Bertha’? I can see you, little Rosebud, for -there are holes pierced in the rock to let in the light of day, and -through one of these I see your face, and a charming face it is; but I -am hid from you.” - -“But your voice is pretty,” said Rosebud. - -“Do you think that?” asked Bertha; “listen, then, to it, while it -instructs you what to do. - -“Follow the old woman when she comes at night to the Wood. Watch when -she lifts the stone, then follow her through the entrance. Mind the -stairs. Ten steep stairs. A false step there would throw you down -and spoil everything. Once at the bottom, keep close behind your old -granny,--it is well for us she is a little deaf,--until she stops at an -iron door. Then look narrowly to see from whence she takes the heavy -brass key. No more can be done then. Make your way home as quickly as -you may, lest she turn and discover you. Does little Rosebud understand -thus far?” - -“Yes,” said Rosebud, “I am to learn where the great brass key is kept.” - -“Exactly,” said Bertha. “Now listen again. When next the old woman goes -to the town, you must hasten to the Wood, remove the flat stone, and -enter the passage, find your way through, unlock the iron door,--you -will know where the key is kept,--then keep on still farther until you -come to a second iron door, then call, ‘Bertha!’ and I will answer. -Then, Rosebud, I and my little maid will be free, and shall fly far -from here!” - -“But where?” asked Rosebud. “Will you not be discovered? and will not -your bad uncle punish you?” - -“Never fear that!” cried Bertha. “Are there no boats? We can manage an -oar. - - ‘Softly, softly dips the oar, - Farther, farther from the shore - We go, we go, we cheerily go! - O the sea, the rippling sea! - The bright, the glancing waves for me! - Go build me a boat - All lightly to float, - And away o’er the waters so free - We’ll row, we’ll row, we’ll cheerily row!’ - -“Yes, little Rosebud, a boat! Are there no boats upon the shore?” - -“Many boats,” said Rosebud. “O, very many boats!” - -“All will then be well,” said Bertha. “My father taught me to row, and -to ride, and to hunt, and to aim the bow. We shall reach our native -home, for with gold can be bought a trusty guide. All will go well. -And now, sweet Rosebud, farewell. Be cautious, but at the same time be -brave. Tell no one what has happened to-day. Adieu!” - -Rosebud promised most faithfully, then bade adieu to Bertha, and ran -hastily along the first path which offered; but soon found herself -again bewildered among thickets of tangled vines and thorny bushes, -through which no way seemed to open. - -Still it was a pleasant spot. Flowering shrubs were growing there, and -berries in plenty. A little brook fell over some rocks near by, and -Rosebud stooped to drink of its waters. Squirrels ran nimbly up the -trees, peeping out with their bright eyes from among the leaves. While -watching these, as they hopped so nimbly from bough to bough, she -perceived, sitting upon the lower branch of a tree, a fine-feathered -bird, seemingly so tame that she stepped nearer to examine its bright -wings. But on her approach it flew slowly to the next tree; and then, -as Rosebud followed, it again flew, and alighted on a tall bush, a -little farther on. - -[Illustration] - -“Bird, I must have you!” cried Rosebud; “and Myrtle must make for you a -cage, a painted cage! O you pretty bird! You fine-feathered bird! Ah, -you stop! You are not afraid! Come, now!” And she reached forward, -hand extended, to grasp it. - -But the bird still flew a little farther, and a little farther, now in -this direction, now in that, and she was upon the point of giving it up -altogether, when it began to sing so charmingly! - -“O, now I cannot leave you!” she cried. And so kept on and on, until -she felt at last that the power of turning away from it was gone, and -that, wherever the bird led, there must she follow. - -A long while he flew, and most charmingly he sang the while. But -Rosebud grew very weary, and was about to sink down upon the grass in -despair of ever again finding her way home, when, looking around her, -she found herself quite near the spot where she had entered the Wood in -the morning. - -“And now, fair bird, won’t you go home with me?” she cried; but the -fine-feathered bird had flown. - -Rosebud then searched out the mossy gray rock and the flat stone, which -she found herself quite able to move. - -But it was now long past noon. - -“I must wait no longer,” she said, “for Bess and Judy and Myrtle will -be wondering what has befallen me.” - -Arrived home, she was greeted with joy by Myrtle, and with endless -questions from all. To which her only answer was, that she had found -berries in plenty, also lovely flowers, and had seen a fine-feathered -bird which sang sweetly. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - -MEETING AND PARTING. - - -The next night Rosebud lay awake, anxiously waiting for the hour when -granny should go forth with her lantern. Her heart beat quickly at the -thought of what must that night be done, of all that Bertha expected -from her, and she only a little girl, only Rosebud. - -But courage was by no means wanting. And, besides, she was very curious -to see the sweet singer,--the pleasant-voiced maiden, who, she felt -sure, must be wondrously beautiful. - -At length footsteps were heard in the next room, the outer door closed, -and Rosebud could see from her window the old woman hobbling away to -the Wood. She followed, well wrapped in her cloak. Everything was the -same as before,--the dew upon the grass, the stillness, the brightness, -all the same. Having reached the Wood, Rosebud watched very closely -where the old woman disappeared, and entered, behind her, the opening -of which Bertha had spoken. She remembered the ten stone stairs, -counted them one by one, and reached the bottom in safety. Granny was -making her way along the passage; at length she paused, and set down -the lantern. Stooping over, she removed a stone from the wall near the -ground; from behind this stone she drew out a heavy brass key, with -which she proceeded to open the iron door. - -Rosebud felt a strong desire to follow still farther, and, if possible, -get just one glimpse of the mysterious singer and her little maid, but -deemed it wiser to follow Bertha’s directions and return home at once. - - * * * * * - -Not many days after, granny, one fine morning, took her staff and her -bundle, and started for the town. “Now,” thought Rosebud, “now, if -ever, must I fulfil my promise.” - -And when Myrtle had gone off for a day’s fishing, as granny now often -compelled him to do; and when she had piled up her drift-wood, and -scrubbed the platters, and sanded the floor, and looked at her plants, -and driven the geese to water,--she hastened away over hills and -valleys to the Wood, as she had often done before. - -The flat stone was soon found, and, after some exertion, removed. -Carefully descending the ten steep stairs, she found herself in a -narrow passage below. If she had but thought of the lantern! But it was -now too late for that. - -With both hands extended, she groped along the passage to the iron -door. Here, stooping down, she soon found the loose stone. The heavy -brass key was drawn forth, and applied to the lock. But, although it -turned freely, the door would not open. What was now to be done? There -was no time to lose. Suppose some chance traveller were to find the -entrance? or suppose granny herself should happen that way? - -Again she grasped the key, again it turned in the lock, and again the -door would not open. - -“Bertha! Bertha!” she called. But Bertha could not hear. - -When almost ready to give up in despair, she heard, not far off, a -sound like the warbling of a bird, and could very clearly distinguish -these words:-- - - “Courage, maiden, never fear, - All is well, no danger near; - To the left now turn the key, - Three times three, three times three.” - -With new courage Rosebud began turning the key to the left, and at the -ninth turning the door swung slowly open. - -But there was yet a long way to travel. A long, long way it seemed to -Rosebud. But she thought of her promise to the sorrowful maiden, and -kept bravely on. - -Presently she heard voices singing, and knew then that the end of the -long passage was near. She called aloud, “Bertha! Bertha!” - -“Is it you? Is it Rosebud?” cried a voice. “Hasten, there is yet -another iron door.” - -“But how shall I enter?” called out Rosebud. - -“Feel for the bolt. You can easily slip the bolt,” said Bertha. - -The bolt yielded readily, the door flew open, and Rosebud felt herself -embraced with kisses and with tears of joy. - -For all the dim light, Rosebud could easily perceive how beautiful was -her new friend. And she stood gazing, like one entranced, at her dark, -flashing eyes, her black, braided hair, and her rosy red cheeks. Upon -her head was a small velvet cap of scarlet, and the facings of her dark -velvet jacket were of the same color. She was but little taller than -Rosebud, but was straight and well formed, and the long, dark braids of -hair hung below her waist. A small plume, fastened to the little cap -by a cluster of jewels, drooped gracefully at one side. Her face wore -a merry look in spite of her troubles, and when she smiled--O, Rosebud -thought nothing could be more beautiful than her smile! - -“This is my dear little maid,” said she,--“my faithful, loving little -maid, who will never desert me.” - -The little maid now came forward, and was, so Rosebud thought, almost -as charming as her mistress. She was certainly as ready to escape, and -in any way Bertha might choose. - -It was arranged that Rosebud should leave them, and return to the hut, -lest some one should come out in search of her. Late in the afternoon -Bertha and her little maid would venture forth, taking care to lock -the door behind them, and leave the great brass key in its place. -They would remain concealed in the wood until evening, and would then -proceed with all haste to the shore, where Rosebud promised to meet -them and guide them to a boat. - - * * * * * - -That night there was no sleep for Rosebud. The moment that granny left -the hut with her lantern, she arose and stepped out softly upon the -sands. The stars were out, but the moon had not yet risen,--which, for -those who wished to remain hid, was all the better. Rosebud walked -timidly down to the water’s edge, her little heart beating quickly, for -she knew that Bertha and her little maid were then on their way to the -shore. She sat down upon the rocks to wait. The time seemed long. Had -harm befallen them? Perhaps they were lost in the woods, or had met -with robbers, or granny had found them. - -But as Rosebud sat there upon the rocks, listening to the dash of the -waves, fearing she knew not what, though hoping all would be well, -she heard footsteps near, and at the same moment a low, sweet voice -singing,-- - - “Go build me a boat, - All lightly to float - And away o’er the waters so free - We’ll row, we’ll row, - We’ll cheerily row.” - -Rosebud sprang to meet them. - -“Safe?” she whispered. - -“Safe!” cried Bertha. “Where is the boat?” - -“This way,” said Rosebud; “come with me.” - -Bertha threw her arm about Rosebud, and, as they thus walked along -upon the sands, listening to the rush of the night breeze through the -tall beach-grass, and to the never-ending song of the sea, the stars -twinkling down upon them all the while, she put to her many questions. -Was granny really her grandmother? How long had they lived there? Who -were her parents? Where were they? Why was she not with them? - -And Rosebud told Bertha her whole history,--weeping as she spoke of her -father and mother, and told how they had loved her. And Bertha wept -too, and begged that Rosebud would go with her, and be her own dear -sister. - -But no, Rosebud said, when Rupert came, she might, perhaps, obtain from -him some tidings of her parents. She must wait for Rupert. But if, -after long waiting, Rupert came not, then she and Myrtle together would -seek in distant lands to learn their fate. - -Then Bertha promised that her father should send a great army to take -the wicked Magnus, and to rescue the good King Brondé and his Lily -Queen. - - * * * * * - -In the boat they selected were lines, hooks, leads, and a heavy -sea-coat. These were left upon the rocks, and in the pocket of the -heavy sea-coat Bertha placed two rings containing jewels of value, that -the owner of the boat might suffer no loss. - -[Illustration] - -Bertha then embraced Rosebud, kissing her many times. “My dear -Rosebud,” said she, “your sweet face draws my whole heart to you. I -grieve that we must now part, and you be left here so sad and lonely. -May my dearest hopes perish if I do not yet render you good service! -But see! the moon is rising. One more kiss! Farewell!” - -They launched their boat, and, stepping in, pushed boldly off from -shore. The rising moon threw its beams across the sea. Each little wave -danced and sparkled in the light. - -Farther, farther away sped the boat; and Rosebud, listening to the dash -of the oars, could faintly distinguish the words of Bertha’s farewell, -which was a reply to Rosebud’s question, whether they were not afraid -to sail away thus alone. - - “O, not alone. - The moon shall guide me o’er the sea; - The little stars are friends to me; - And the dancing waves, so light and free, - O, they shall bear me company! - Farewell, now fare thee well!” - -Fainter and fainter grew the music. The boat was now but a speck upon -the waters. - -And thus did Bertha and her little maiden float away in the moonlight -out upon the wide sea! - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - -THE CHILDREN IN TROUBLE. - - -When the little boat could no longer be seen, Rosebud went sorrowfully -back to the hut and to her bed. And there she lay, trembling, expecting -every moment the return of the old woman. But day dawned; the sun rose, -the children also; and still she had not appeared. - -What had become of granny? - -Rosebud and Myrtle permitted themselves to linger long about the -flower-garden. Many of the plants had budded, a few had bloomed. -Rosebud bent over them, touching tenderly their soft green leaves, and -persuading them, so Myrtle affirmed, to grow faster, and even, as he -further declared, whispering to them of what pretty color they should -tint their blossoms! - -The children of the shore, with their baskets, had gathered around to -talk with Rosebud, to wonder at the growth of the plants, and to admire -all they saw. Every child must examine every flower that had bloomed, -marvel at its beauty, and all were longing for the next buds to open. - -While they were thus assembled, talking earnestly, granny suddenly -appeared among them. - -Her dress was torn, the blue blanket had fallen from her head, the gray -locks streamed about her withered face, and her eyes glared fiercely. -The children with looks of affright shrank from the old woman. Coming -near them, she shook her fist angrily at Rosebud. - -“And is it thus you work when I am away?” she cried. “I’ll teach you!” - -And with that she hobbled in among the flowers, and began beating them -with her staff, pulling them up, and throwing them far and wide. In a -few moments the pretty garden was destroyed! - -Poor Rosebud! she had loved them so! It seemed as if those were parts -of herself which were thus cruelly tossed upon the sands. So much had -she lived with them, caressed them, talked to them, that they were to -her almost like living beings. - -But not a word did she say, neither did one of the rest dare speak to -the old woman in her fury. - -“Be off! Be off now! the whole pack of you! Take your baskets and be -gone, I say!” she cried, stamping her foot with rage. - -Mournfully the little group moved toward the shore, Myrtle and Rosebud -among them. For they dared not stay, even to witness the death of their -flowers. - -When they returned at noon, granny was again absent. But there lay -the flowers, their tender green leaves, with a few bright blossoms, -drooping, scorching, dying in the noonday sun. - -Rosebud bent over them, hoping some might be found which, if replanted, -would yet live. But no, the scorching heat had done its work. - -Sorrowfully then they gathered up the remains of the dear plants which -had given them so much delight, and buried them, with some tears, in -the same spot they had blessed with their short-lived beauty,--the spot -now saddened by their cruel death. - -Even their fear of the angry old woman could not prevent the children -of the shore from gathering there when they knew what Myrtle and -Rosebud were doing; and they looked so mournful when the flowers one -after another were covered with the dark earth! - -“The funeral of the flowers!” said one little child, sadly, as she -smoothed the surface with her hand. - -This same little child, during the afternoon, begged of a countryman -seeds of pretty grasses, which were strewn thickly over the spot. - - * * * * * - -Even Bess and Judy were sorry for Rosebud. For as the sun warms the -hard rock, and melts the cold ice, so had the sunshine of Rosebud’s -sweet face warmed and melted their hearts. If you rudely strike a -little bird, it will but droop its head; and, if you crush a flower, -it will but wither and fade. So when these two girls gave to Rosebud -spiteful words, or even blows, she did but droop her head and look -sorrowful. For the love-flame had never yet grown dim in her heart. It -burned clear and bright, purifying her whole nature. - -And thus it came about that Bess and Judy were at last melted to -kindness. They had long ceased to give spiteful words to one who never -returned them, and would now as soon have thought of striking a bird or -a flower as this loving, gentle child who had come among them. - -[Illustration] - -And in this time of her trouble they were even willing to do something -to comfort her. At twilight, just after the seeds were sown over the -grave of the flowers, they came, bringing two little feeble plants, -which they had found in a moist spot, under the shelter of a rock. The -damp earth still clung to their roots. These were replanted in a hidden -corner, and watered daily. One died. The other lived and grew and -blossomed. And its flower was a delicate white lily. - -Myrtle, one morning, found Rosebud bending sadly over this flower, -scarcely raising her eyes at his approach. - -“I think it must,” said she, at last, looking up, and smiling through -her tears. - -“Must what?” asked Myrtle. - -“Must mean,” said Rosebud, “that she is yet alive.” - - * * * * * - -Great was the surprise of the old woman at finding the cage empty, her -bird flown. The bolt was secured, the iron door locked, the key safe, -nothing out of the way except--the prisoners. - -Thinking they must be concealed near, she looked in the woods about, -beat the bushes, got tangled in the thicket, scratched by the briers, -tore her garments, but did not give up the search until long after -sunrise in the morning. - -It was from this vain search, that, weary, angry, and much alarmed for -her own safety, she arrived home to find the children gathered about -the flower-garden, as has been told. - -And there was very good reason to be alarmed; for the Governor of the -land, as soon as he knew of Bertha’s escape, sent his officers, bidding -them to seize the old woman, and to throw her into that very same rocky -cage. The children were in dismay at seeing granny carried off in such -a manner. None could guess the reason except Rosebud; and she told only -Myrtle. It was one pleasant day, when they were off sailing, that she -related to him the whole history. - -They often went sailing in the little boat, that they might talk -together of Rosebud’s parents, and the palace, and Rupert. Myrtle said -that Rupert’s coming should no longer be looked for, and that, if -Rosebud’s father was a king, why, then, she was a princess. Did any one -ever hear of a princess picking up drift-wood, or going barefoot, or -living in a hut? It was quite time they set forth upon their travels in -search of her home. Couldn’t she tell in what direction to go? or how -far? or anything at all about it? - -No, Rosebud only knew that they travelled fast, and for many, many -days, and not always in one direction; for one very bright star which -she came to know, and to watch for, on the journey, shone some nights -on her right, and at others on her left. - -But however that might be, she said, they must go. “Yes,” said Myrtle, -“that certainly is quite plain. And we will go as little pedlers, -selling our shell-work; or perhaps as little singers, singing our -songs. And at every great town we will ask, ‘Who is the king of this -country?’ ‘Can you tell us any news of the Good King Brondé?’ We will -begin at once to collect the shells. And as we journey along we shall -rest often in the shade of the trees, by the wayside, or on some -flowery bank, and there make our shell-work.” - -Thus all was well arranged. - -But before they were quite ready to begin this pleasant journey, -something very unexpected happened to Rosebud; very unexpected, -but very good. Indeed, had she been allowed her choice of all the -delightful things that might happen, she could have chosen nothing more -delightful than this. - -But now, while Myrtle and Rosebud are so busy with their shells and -with their wise plans, it will, perhaps, be well to inquire concerning -the Good King Brondé and his Lily Queen, and whether they reached home -in safety. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - -THE WHITE LAMB. - - -King Brondé and his court reached the end of their homeward journey in -safety. - -They arrived safely, but to find their palace in disorder, its beauty -spoiled, its treasures stolen, its walks, gardens, statues, fountains -destroyed. - -The good king and queen, however, thought only of Rosebud. Their -well-beloved child,--was she living? And, if yet alive, into whose -hands had she fallen? Messengers were sent far and near throughout -the kingdom. Large rewards were offered, but all in vain. And at the -approach of winter they gladly removed to their city palace, away from -all which so sadly reminded them of that unhappy day on which she was -taken from them. - -Now, although it would seem that every possible means had been tried, -and though many weary months had passed, yet the Lily Queen still hoped -that her dear child might be restored to her. And, during the winter -every seer, fortune-teller, witch, or wizard who dwelt in the city, or -who wandered that way, had been consulted. But all had failed to give -true directions for discovering the lost one. - -Thus, mid hopes and fears, the winter and spring passed wearily by. - -As summer came on, the queen walked much by herself in the gardens of -the palace, that she might, undisturbed, mourn for her lost darling. -Sleepless nights and much weeping had made her a Pale Lady indeed. Her -strength was failing, her step feeble. Still, however, she continued -her daily walks. - -And one day, while wandering in the Orange-Grove, she saw, in the path -before her, a white lamb. - -“Pretty creature!” she cried, “you are pure and innocent as my own lost -lamb!” - -And she followed it to the end of the walk, and so beyond the palace -walls, into a cedar-grove. - -Here, close by a ruined hovel, which some poor fagot-gatherer had -deserted, the lamb disappeared. He seemed to have entered the hovel. -But, upon stepping inside the door, she saw only an aged woman, dressed -in dark, flowing robes, who scarcely raised her eyes from the ground. - -“I seek,” said the queen, “a white lamb.” - -“The Pale Lady,” said the aged woman, still without raising her -eyes,--“the Pale Lady seeks, not a lamb, but a sweet flower. Grief lies -heavy at her heart. Threads of white are among her once fair locks. Her -eye is sunken, her strength gone. All night her tears flow, and the day -brings only weariness. - - “No joy, no joy for her; - Sorrow and tears abound. - No smile, no smile for her - Until the lost be found. - But the Wanderer shall return; - The lost shall yet be found; - Then for the sorrowing one - Shall joy and smiles abound!” - -The queen sprang forward, her hands clasped, her whole face lighted up -with joy. - -“Tell me!--tell me where is my child!” she cried. - -The aged woman made no reply. Slowly raising her head, she gazed long -and earnestly in one direction. It seemed as if her pale, filmy blue -eye were fixed upon some object or objects far, far away. Her head -bent forward, her right arm slowly raised itself, while the forefinger -seemed pointing to something in the dim distance. - -At length she spoke. The words came slowly, and there was an intent -expression upon her face, as if she were listening to indistinct sounds. - -“I hear the distant moaning of the sea. I hear the dash of waves upon -the shore. I see the tall beach-grass bending in the breeze. Shells lie -upon the sands,--pink, purple, and white. Their gleaming is beautiful -in the sunlight. White-sailed ships go by. A boat is tossing upon -the waves. A noble boy pulls the oar. Brave and handsome as a young -prince. How boldly he guides the boat! It touches the shore. A little -girl runs smiling to meet him! Her fair curls stream in the wind. Her -teeth are like pearls; her eye is like the violet; her cheek like the -rose. Gayly flutter her green robes. The boy is glad to see the little -girl, running to meet him. He calls out to her, ‘Rosebud! Rosebud!’” - -The queen had stood, bending forward, her eyes fastened upon the -withered face before her, hardly daring to breathe, lest some precious -word be lost. Her excitement grew every moment more intense, and when -the last word, “Rosebud!” was spoken, she uttered a cry of joy, and -sank, half fainting, to the ground. - -Upon recovering, the Lily Queen found herself alone in the hovel. No -dark-robed old woman or pretty white lamb was to be seen. Neither could -it be told how long she had lain there. - -But she felt sure that, during the time, a form had bent over her, and -spoken these words:-- - -“Travel towards the setting sun, as far as the shores of Silver Lake. -From this lake flows a stream. Follow this stream to the sea.” - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - -A LONG JOURNEY. - - -King Brondé had been so often disappointed, that he was, at first, -unwilling to set forth upon so very doubtful a journey; and especially -as no person could be found who could tell in what direction lay this -unknown Silver Lake. - -In order, however, to divert the mind of the queen, he laid aside his -doubts, and commanded that preparations for travelling be made at once. - -The grand state coach, all covered with gold and silver, and drawn by -twenty white horses, was got in readiness, and also other magnificent -coaches; for many lords and nobles of the court were to go in -attendance, and also a band of soldiers. - -On they travelled, for days and weeks. Many gave up all hope, and spoke -of returning. Beautiful lakes had they passed, but thus far not one -bearing the name Silver Lake had been found. And the king said one -day:-- - -“My dear Lily Queen, this Silver Lake, with its stream flowing to the -sea,--was it not all a dream? Shall we chase a vision? Let us return, -and no longer cherish vain hopes.” - -The queen, however, would not be persuaded. A little farther, she said, -and yet a little farther; but at last agreed, that if, by the morrow’s -sunset, no Silver Lake was found, they would then return. - - * * * * * - -The morrow was past. Bravely had they travelled on, and, just as the -sun went down, were ready to halt in a poor little village. - -The sky was all aglow with the brilliant hues of sunset. In the west -lay clouds of purple and gold, and of all radiant colors. The Lily -Queen gazed mournfully at this fine show. For the morrow was now past, -the sunset hour had come, and she could no longer ask to continue the -journey. This last hope, then, was gone. - -But while her gaze was fixed upon a broad, high hill, which stood -darkly up against the western sky, she perceived, advancing steadily -over it, a long procession or company of people. Perhaps, thought she, -a troop of hostile soldiers, or perhaps some robber band to waylay us. -She distinctly saw plumes waving, also banners streaming, and heard the -sound of music. - -She hastened to the king. He and his attendants were already alarmed, -and were watching, with some anxiety, the oncoming of this host. The -soldiers, well armed, stood ready to receive them. - -Nearer and nearer they come. Now down the sides of the hill; now along -the plain; and now they enter the streets of the village. Troops of -horsemen ride in advance. In the midst of these is a grand chariot, -decked out with costly trappings. - -[Illustration] - -Inside this chariot sits a royally dressed person, who has a noble -countenance, and who wears a crown. By his side is a sprightly young -maiden, with sparkling black eyes and a merry face. Upon her head is -a red velvet cap and plume, from beneath which hang long braids of -shining hair. She also wears a velvet jacket, with scarlet facings. - -This bright-eyed maiden is Bertha. She has persuaded her father to make -inquiries concerning the good King Brondé, and they are now on their -way to his kingdom with trains of armed attendants. - - * * * * * - -Who can describe the raptures of the Lily Queen as she held in her arms -one who had, not so very long before, embraced her darling child?--one -who could relate all that happened to her after the day when they were -parted. Then came endless questions. - -Where was Rosebud now? Was she well? Was she sorrowful? Was she in -distress? And, above all, could Bertha guide them to her? - -No. Not directly. Bertha was ignorant of both the name and the -situation of that little village by the shore. - -Did she know of Silver Lake? - -O yes! Certainly, she knew of Silver Lake. - -“Come,” said she, “to the top of yonder hill, which looms so darkly -against the sunset brightness.” - -All therefore proceeded to the top of this broad hill, and there, far -below, they beheld a sheet of water, so smooth, so silvery, and so -fair, that it seemed a round piece of silver, just dropped from the -sky. - -“But where is the stream which flows to the sea?” asked the king. - - * * * * * - -The stream which flowed to the sea was, at first, only a little brook. -It ran out from the lake, beneath mosses and bending grass; hid itself, -for a long way, among thick, overhanging bushes, but at length came -dancing out into the sunshine, and went its way through meadow and wood -singing its own happy song. - -And soon it was joined by other little singing brooks, all going the -same way. Thus it happened that, after travelling many miles, the small -stream became a river, and flowed to the sea. - -But by no means in a direct course, or always by pleasant ways. It -ran here and there, doubling, curving, winding, now through tangled -forests, now sweeping around the base of a mountain, now leaping a -precipice or dashing itself against the ragged rocks, thus leading -our travellers a tiresome and oftentimes a dangerous journey; for -there were mountains to climb, roads to cut through the forest, and -frequently a hasty bridge to be thrown across a stream. - -And one night while resting in a small village they narrowly escaped -a great danger; for, without the assistance of the king,--Bertha’s -father,--they must have all been taken prisoners. This danger was from -Magnus, King Brondé’s old enemy. - -Having, by means of his great strength, escaped from prison, he had -again rallied around him a powerful band. He then sent out spies, and, -having learned from them of King Brondé’s journey, he resolved to -surprise and attack him by night. It was Bertha who discovered their -approach. She was sitting late at the window, looking at the moon and -the hurrying clouds, and thinking of her true love away at the wars, -when her eye caught from afar the gleaming of steel in the moonlight, -and she presently saw armed men winding around the foot of a hill. She -quickly gave the alarm, and all placed themselves in readiness for -whatever might come. - -Now Magnus had supposed that Brondé’s party would be easily taken. -Intending a surprise, he was himself surprised at being so far -outnumbered, and fled in dismay, with all his band. - -But a shower of sharp-pointed arrows was sent in among them. Many of -his men were seen to fall; and Magnus himself received wounds, of which -a few years after he died. - -And now, dreading another attack, a watch was set every night. They -were not, however, again molested. All went well with them. Full of -hope, they kept bravely on, and at length arrived, one beautiful -morning, at the top of a high hill, from whence could be heard the -distant moaning of the sea. - -Bertha begged the Queen to calm herself, and to remember that even if -they found the little fishing-hamlet, it was by no means sure that -Rosebud would still be living there. Rupert might have come for her, -or else she and Myrtle might have begun their travels in search of her -home, as they had planned. - -The queen only answered by a sign to go on faster, faster! - -On arriving at the summit of the next hill, the sea, the broad blue -sea, lay spread before them. Its waves came dashing upon the sandy -shores below. - -They saw the white-sailed ships go by, and the little boats tossing -upon the waters, near the shore. One is guided by a boy. There are -children sitting on the rocks. A little girl runs down to the water’s -edge. - -King Brondé and the queen dared no longer look. Unable to speak or -hardly to breathe, they sank back among the cushions, and there awaited -in silence what might be the fulfilment, or might be the destruction, -of their hopes. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - -TEARS AND SMILES. - - -Now it happened that on this very day Myrtle and Rosebud had planned a -visit to the town. Myrtle said they would first try their luck there, -as little pedlers, before venturing farther. He would rise before -daybreak and go out with the boat, and if he made a good catch, they -would take, besides the shell-work, fresh fish, to sell by the way. -Long before the girls were stirring, therefore, he was far out upon the -waters. - -Bess and Judy were full of wonder at the courage of Rosebud, in daring -to venture upon so long a journey. Never in their lives had they -seen the town. They were, however, quite ready to help; prepared the -breakfast, tidied the hut, drove the geese to water, and assisted in -packing the shell-baskets. - -When all was in readiness, the three went out to sit upon the rocks and -there await the coming of Myrtle. The children of the shore, with their -baskets, gathered around them; for all had heard of the coming journey -to the town. - -Presently the boat appeared in sight. On it came, bounding over the -waves, and rapidly approached the shore. All the children stood still, -watching the little boat, and admiring the skill with which Myrtle -directed its course. - -All but Rosebud. She, as was her custom, ran down to meet him at the -water’s edge, her fair curls streaming, her green robes fluttering in -the wind. She laughed aloud and clapped her hands, while waiting for -Myrtle to call to her from the boat. - -“Rosebud! Rosebud!” he cried, at last, as the boat touched the shore, -“such a catch of fish! we will take some to the town, and spread some -to dry on the rocks, and some we will--” - -But here he was interrupted by loud cries from the children, who came -running to them, calling out, that there were, O so many horses, and -soldiers, and coaches larger than their hut, all covered with gold and -silver, and great lords in purple and scarlet with gay feathers and -jewels, all sparkling and shining! Rosebud and Myrtle must run quick! -Quick! - - * * * * * - -But there was no need to run far, for all these wonders were speedily -drawing near. A few moments, and soldiers, chariots, and horses covered -the sands. - -The great state coach of King Brondé was in advance of all the rest. -Its door flew open, and Rosebud, with a cry of joy, sprang forward. - -Rosebud, the lonely wanderer, Rosebud, the long-lost child, was in the -arms of her mother! - -Then from the great company assembled there arose a shout both long and -loud, which made the heavens ring. And in the midst of all could be -heard and seen Bertha, clapping her hands and dancing for joy. - -It was a long time before the happy family within the coach could do -more than to embrace one another, and to weep tears of happiness. But -at length King Brondé desired to be conducted to the hut, which had for -so long been the home of his child. - -A portion of the doorway was hewn down, and into that humble dwelling -King Brondé entered, and there sat down with the Lily Queen and with -Rosebud, while all the children of the shore stood outside lost in -wonder, answering, as best they might, the various questions put to -them by the lords and nobles. - -King Brondé, having learned the character of the old woman, ordered the -hut to be searched, and in the cellar were found concealed many costly -jewels. These he commanded should be carefully packed and taken to his -palace, and there kept until the old woman could be brought and made to -tell who were their rightful owners. - -This being settled, King Brondé and his queen were eager to set out -for their own kingdom. But Rosebud would first bid farewell to the -children of the shore; and also to Bess and Judy, who were weeping -bitterly. What could they do without Rosebud? She had been so gentle -with them, and so kind. Must they lose that sunny smile? The hut would -be dark and lonely now! - -The other children were standing sorrowfully by; and when Rosebud would -have bidden them farewell, they with one accord burst into tears. - -Poor Rosebud, she must needs weep too! For they had loved her, and she -had loved them, every one. - -But where was Myrtle? Had any one seen Myrtle? All began to look about -and to inquire. But no one had seen him, since he first leaped ashore -with his basket of fish. - -At length one little girl whispered to Rosebud, pointing at the same -time to a clump of bushes at a little distance. - -And there she found him, lying upon the ground, crying as if his very -heart would break. - -Rosebud begged him not to cry, but to arise, come to the hut, and see -her father and mother,--her father and mother, of whom they had so -often talked. They need not be little pedlers, now. - -But he would not be persuaded, and Rosebud returned sorrowfully to the -hut. - -“But who is this Myrtle?” asked King Brondé. - -Then Rosebud told how good Myrtle was, and how they had played -together, and sailed together, and of their plans, and of all his -kindness to her ever since she came to the shore. - -“And why not take Myrtle?” asked the Lily Queen; “surely our coach is -big enough to hold him, and surely our palace is big enough to receive -him, and surely our hearts are big enough to love one who has been so -good to our Rosebud!” - -“Very true!” cried King Brondé. - -Rosebud flew once more to the clump of bushes. “Myrtle! Myrtle!” she -cried, “you are to go with us! to go! to go! to go! In my father’s -coach! And live in my father’s palace! Myrtle! do you hear?” - -No wonder she asked, “Do you hear?” For the poor boy was so -overwhelmed, first by his grief, and then by his joy, that he seemed to -have lost all power of speech and motion. - -But Rosebud urged him to rise, and then led him to the same spot where -she had once advised him to wash his face in the spring. And here she -bade him bathe his swollen eyes, and smooth his hair, that the king and -queen might see what a handsome Myrtle he was. - -But alas! so red was his face and so inflamed by weeping, that she was -obliged to tell them this herself. And they were quite ready to believe -it. - -King Brondé now gave Rosebud money to distribute among her late -companions, and there was not one who did not get a bright gold piece, -or who did not preserve it carefully as a remembrance of one they had -loved so well. Bess and Judy, at Rosebud’s request, were given in -charge to some of the attendants, that they might also be taken home, -and provided for in a comfortable manner. - - * * * * * - -All now being ready, the joyful party entered the coach. Drums beat, -bugles played, the twenty white horses arched their proud necks and -stepped gayly off to the sound of the music. And side by side with -the great state coach came another royal chariot, wherein sat Bertha, -smiling-faced Bertha, with her father the king. Behind followed all -their lords, nobles, attendants, and bands of soldiers,--a numerous -train. - -The children of the shore stood watching till the last plume of the -last soldier disappeared, then turned sorrowfully toward their homes. - - * * * * * - -Who can speak of the happiness of that homeward journey? When the Lily -Queen could spare Rosebud from her own embrace, King Brondé would sit -for hours with her clasped in his arms, looking down into her face, -and stroking her hair softly and tenderly, as if each touch conveyed a -blessing. And as for Myrtle, so great was his joy, that he scarcely -knew whether he were waking or dreaming. So he rolled himself up in -one corner of the coach, gazing at the pale Lily Queen, and the big -handsome King Brondé in his royal robes and his golden crown, and -wondered how long they would let the poor little fisher-boy stay in -their palace. - -Thus this great company journeyed home. As soon as the towers of the -city came in sight, King Brondé ordered a bright flag to be raised, -for this was the signal agreed upon in case the search should prove -successful. As they drew nearer, troops of mounted soldiers came out -to meet them; also bands of music and a great multitude of lords and -ladies of the court, in their fine gilded coaches, all in grand array. -Also one hundred young nobles, in shining steel armor, and all mounted -upon jet black horses, whose trappings were of pure gold. - - * * * * * - -Like a triumphal procession they entered the city, bugles playing, -trumpets sounding, drums beating, banners streaming, horses prancing, -plumes waving, and were met by the people with wild huzzas. And years -and years after, mothers related to their children the story of the -wonderful day when good King Brondé brought home his lost child. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - -A DISCOVERY. - - -Years passed by, and happy years they were. Rosebud, as she grew older, -was the same sweet-voiced, kindly maiden, winning love from all. People -gazing at her beaming face asked themselves often what it was that so -charmed them there. This which they could not name was the love-light, -which shone through her eyes and lighted up her countenance; for the -holy fire burned always in her heart, making her whole life pure and -bright. The idol of the court, praised, petted, flattered, still was -she not spoiled. Ah, Rosebud was far too modest, too humble for that. -Real love not only brightens, but purifies, keeping away all evil. - -As King Brondé had no son, he adopted Myrtle for his own. He provided -for him the best instructors, and treated him in all things as if he -were really his child. - -And the youth grew up, stately and handsome as a young prince. He -mingled freely with the young nobles of the court, and, by his gentle -bearing and his true manliness, became a favorite with every one. - -Bess and Judy were established in a handsome house of their own, and -every day had cause to bless the good King Brondé and his Lily Queen. - -Thus, as was before observed, the years flew happily on. But when years -fly on, though never so happily, they carry us along with them. And the -happy years that were flying on at the palace were taking King Brondé -and his queen towards old age, were taking Myrtle out of his childhood, -and changing our Rosebud to a full-blown rose. - -And when Myrtle was no longer a child, he began to think. And when he -began to think, he thought how wonderful it was that he should have -thus been brought from a hut to a palace, changed from a fisher-boy to -the son of a king. - -And he thought, also, that he should like to be still more a son to -him, and to marry Rosebud for his wife, if King Brondé were willing, -but was afraid to ask. For were there not plenty of young lords, and -also real princes, who came to visit the court? King Brondé might -prefer one of these. Rosebud herself might. He was not sure, after all, -that he would not rather they two were still living at the hut, for -when they were children of the shore she liked him better than any. But -these, he felt, were selfish thoughts, and must never come again. - -Still, if selfish thoughts might be kept away, serious, anxious -thoughts could not; and these came often to cloud his face, and to -make Rosebud wonder why Myrtle appeared so thoughtful, so troubled. - -Now it happened, one lovely afternoon, when the king and his court were -at the summer palace, near Long Forest, that Myrtle was walking in the -gardens with Rosebud. These same anxious thoughts were present in his -mind. They clouded his face, and gave to his voice a sorrowful tone. - -“Where are your thoughts?” asked Rosebud, “and why are you so troubled?” - -“I will tell you,” said Myrtle, after a few moments of silence,--“I -will tell you, first, where are my thoughts, and next, why I am so -troubled. My thoughts are far away at the sea-shore, by a little -spring, where a little girl once declared that the rose and the myrtle -went well together. I fear she may not think so always. That is why I -am so troubled.” - -Rosebud looked down, and walked silently on by his side, until they -came to a rosebush, bearing a rose, not quite fully blown, which she -plucked. A little farther on they passed the queen’s fine myrtle-arbor. -From this she cut a sprig and intwined it with the rose. The two, thus -joined, she placed in his hand. He knew then that the little girl still -believed that the rose and the myrtle went well together. - -At a little distance they saw, walking towards them, the king and his -queen. As they met, Myrtle held out to the king the pretty token he had -just received from Rosebud,--held it out doubtfully, as if fearing his -displeasure. - -[Illustration] - -But the king smiled, remembering, no doubt, the long ago when he -himself had loved a king’s daughter; and the queen smiled; and Rosebud -smiled. Why, then, should not Myrtle smile, too? And then the good King -Brondé opened wide his arms, clasped them both to his heart, gave them -his blessing, and wished they might live as happily together as had he -and his beloved Lily Queen. - - * * * * * - -Not long after this came the wedding. And such a wedding was surely -never known before. - -The kings of all the countries round about came with their queens, -and their courts, and their mounted guards, and their bands of music, -and their waving banners. There were illuminations in the cities, and -fires blazed upon the mountain-tops. Prisoners were released, and gold -and silver thrown by handfuls to the poor. Tables were spread in the -streets, that everybody might feast. - -Happy they who could obtain entrance into the palace. Happier still -they who were admitted into that grand apartment where the marriage -rites were performed. Happiest of all they who obtained a glimpse of -the charming bride. - -She wore, at Myrtle’s request, a robe of the very palest green, which -was besprinkled with diamonds. Upon her fair curls rested a coronet of -rosebuds, every leaf of which was a separate jewel. - -But nothing was so lovely, so charming to all, as her own sweet face, -expressing, as might plainly be seen, the most perfect love and the -most perfect happiness. - -All her old friends were present. Bess and Judy were there, side by -side with her own sisters. The wood-cutter’s children were there, the -little boy and girl whom Rosebud saved from the boat. The wood-cutter -himself was there. For his services on the day and night of the lion -hunt, in Long Forest, he had been well rewarded, and he now lived on a -fine estate, with gold in plenty, and servants to command. - -Even Rupert was present. For when released from prison, he sought the -old woman’s hut, and after learning from the fishermen all that had -happened, he went immediately to King Brondé’s dominions, and obtained -employment in the grounds of the palace, that he might be always near -Rosebud. At her request, he was made head-gardener of her flower-beds, -and brought her every morning a fresh nosegay; and was welcomed with -smiles, which, it may be remembered, was a part of the nice little plan -he had laid when acting as guide. - -Bertha, too, was there, the dark-eyed, bright-faced Bertha; and -charming enough she looked too, in her bright colors, and her little -jewelled cap. And happy enough, too; for the lover came safely back -from the wars, and that same lover, now her husband, was by her side, -and as happy as herself. - -The Green Fairy, too, was there, though no one knew it, in the form -of a fine-feathered bird, perched high on the top of a marble column. -Somebody else, too, was there, who will shortly speak for herself. - -After the marriage ceremony had been performed, the whole company -repaired to the most spacious hall in the palace, where was served up a -sumptuous banquet. The tables were loaded with dishes of solid gold, -and with crystal ornaments. Sweetmeats, cordials, and spices of richest -fragrance were brought from the remotest corners of the earth. Players -of musical instruments, hidden from sight, sent forth their softest, -sweetest strains. - -Roses were everywhere,--roses and myrtle; in rich vases upon the table, -among the decorations of the walls, in hanging-baskets, in the hands of -marble statues, festooned from the ceiling, wreathed about the white -columns. Roses and myrtle everywhere. The air was filled with their -fragrance. And everybody said, how beautiful were the myrtle and the -rose together. - -At the close of the banquet, King Brondé observed that the great king -who sat at his left hand appeared sad and downcast; that, although -striving to be gay with the rest, yet he often turned aside to wipe -away a tear. - -“What is your grief?” asked King Brondé; “what great sorrow dwells in -your heart, that will make itself felt, even at this bridal feast?” - -“I can tell you that!” cried a strange voice at his side. - -King Brondé turned and saw, standing quite near him, a little old -woman, holding a staff, and wearing a blue blanket pinned over her head. - -“And who are you?” cried King Brondé. “By what means gained you -entrance here? And what should one like you know of the troubles of a -great king?” - -“The great king has but one trouble,” she replied, “and that shall soon -be taken away. Listen, now, and you shall hear a true story. - -“Many years ago I lived, with my grandchildren, in a cabin by a lonely -wood. One stormy night a woman, a coarse-featured woman, came to my -door, bringing a young child, which she had stolen for the sake of the -jewels he wore. - -“This woman offered me one half, provided I would allow them to remain -hidden there, until her strength returned, when she would go on with -her journey. - -“I accepted this offer, thinking she would soon be gone, and that the -jewels would make me rich.” - -“You thief! wretch!” cried King Brondé. - -“True, both true,” answered the old woman; “but permit me to go on with -the story; for not many days are left me, and I would do one good act -before I die. - -“The woman never recovered her strength. She died there, in my cabin. -Before her death she confessed to me that this stolen child was the son -of the king. She had enticed him from his attendants, while they were -walking with him, in the grounds belonging to the palace. - -“I dared not remain in the country with the child, for if he were -found in my hands it would be certain death to me. I therefore fled -with him and my two grandchildren into another kingdom, where I dwelt -in a little hut by the sea. - -“The boy grew up, fair, and with a true princely look. I compelled him, -until all danger of pursuit was over, to go meanly clad and dirty, lest -his beauty should attract the notice of some passing traveller. - -“And now, when all are making bridal presents, I come also with a gift -to the bridegroom. I present to him a father. Great king, you have no -longer a trouble: this is your lost boy.” - - * * * * * - -After the rejoicing, the happy weeping, the embracing, and all the deep -excitement caused by the old woman’s story, had somewhat abated, orders -were given to bring forth the jewels, which were brought from the hut, -that she might declare who were their rightful owners. - -And among these was the king’s signet ring, which he had heedlessly -given his boy to play with on the morning of the day when he was -stolen. This signet ring the old woman had never dared offer for sale. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. - -KING MYRTLE AND QUEEN ROSEBUD. - - -Thus it came about that Myrtle was, after all, a true prince; and his -now happy father, having passed so many childless years, begged that -the young couple might spend at least one half the time at his court. -This request was cheerfully granted. - -And after the death of King Brondé and his Lily Queen, which was not -until they had reached a good old age, Rosebud gave up her share of the -kingdom to her two sisters, that she might dwell always with Myrtle in -his own country. - -Thus the two sisters reigned together. The eldest, with her beauty and -her grace, was an ornament to the court, and drew together the lively -and the gay; while the second, with her great wisdom, sat in council -with the nobles and managed with rigor the affairs of state; and their -reign was called ever after “The Reign of the Two Queens.” - -The old woman died, soon after telling her story, at the house of Bess -and Judy, and was buried, as she herself had requested, with the blue -blanket upon her head, and her staff beside her. - -After the father of Myrtle died, he and Rosebud became king and queen, -and reigned in his stead. - -Their first act was to purchase from the king of the country adjoining -their own the tract of land which contained the little fishing-hamlet -by the sea; and there, by the side of the old hut, they reared a -splendid palace. The hut was preserved, standing exactly as it stood in -their childhood; and the little garden-spot behind--the grave of their -short-lived flowers--was planted with lilies, an affectionate tribute -to the memory of the Lily Queen. - -The waters of the spring where Myrtle, with fear and trembling, once -dared to wash his face were made to gush up through a marble fountain, -around which the rose and the myrtle grew well together. - -Their old companions were well cared for; and they loved their king -and queen just as well as when they were children of the shore with -themselves; for the good queen loved her people, and never ceased to -labor for their happiness. The holy fire had never grown dim; and -Myrtle, the noble-hearted Myrtle, thought and acted always with his -beloved queen. In all things they went hand in hand and heart in heart; -and dwellers upon the remotest borders of their kingdom found reason to -bless the reign of King Myrtle and Queen Rose. - - * * * * * - -The story is ended, but there is one thing which some might care to -know. - -One day, as the king and queen were sitting in their private chamber, -talking of the long ago, the king said: “My dear Rosebud, why was it -that the Green Fairy, as she must have had the power, did not find some -way of informing your parents where you were hidden, or did not come to -your rescue?” - -“She is here,” said a voice near them,--“she is here to answer for -herself.” - -They turned quickly, and there, in her own proper form, stood the Green -Fairy, who spoke as follows:-- - -“The Green Fairy,” said she, “wished to prove whether the child Rosebud -could be as gentle, as sweet-tempered, when in poverty, and exposed to -harsh treatment, as when living in a palace, the idol of a court. The -little fisher-boy may answer that question for himself.” - -But the Green Fairy was not so entirely neglectful of the little girl. -Something she could tell of a fine-feathered bird, which guided her -through the woods. Something, too, of a bird-song, heard by a little -girl standing alone in a dark passage. - - “To the left now turn the key, - Three times three, three times three.” - -Also of hopeful words, murmured softly from a tall flowering shrub, -to a child who lay one night in the forest, looking up at the stars -twinkling through the trees. - - “Be of good cheer - O maiden dear; - No longer fear, - For help is near.” - -And something she could tell, too, of a white lamb and of an aged woman -with pale blue eyes and dark flowing robes, who whispered to the Lily -Queen of Silver Lake, and the stream which flowed to the sea. - -She was at the wedding, too, looking down from above, to see that all -went well with the happy ones below. Like this! - -And, changing to a beautiful bird, she flew to the top of a marble -column. - -And while they were gazing, she began to fly slowly around the -apartment, and disappeared at last through an open window. But still -they heard her voice singing to them her last farewell:-- - - “Farewell, farewell, most noble king! - Farewell, farewell, O gracious queen! - For other lands I’m on the wing, - No more you’ll see the Fairy Green. - Long may you live, all hearts to bless, - Long may you know true happiness!” - - -Cambridge: Electrotyped and Printed by Welch, Bigelow, & Co. - - - - -TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES: - - - Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_. - - Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. - - Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized. - - Archaic or variant spelling has been retained. - - An incorrect page number in the Table of Contents has been corrected. - - The author’s first name on the title page is mistakenly shown as Anna. - Her actual name is Abby. - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ENTERTAINING STORY OF KING -BRONDÉ, HIS LILY AND HIS ROSEBUD *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where - you are located before using this eBook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that: - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation's website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without -widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. |