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him. He was also so moved in his heart that he kissed them on both cheeks, and thought not once of the maiden's words. As soon as he had kissed them on the right cheek all gratitude to the king's daughter vanished from his heart. He turned out his pockets and threw great handfuls of precious stones on the table, his parents wondering how and where he had obtained all these riches. They were, however, very happy to accept them.

The father's first act was to build a beautiful castle, around which were gardens, and woods, and meadows, as if a prince had been going to reside in it.

And when it was finished the mother said to her son, "I have chosen a maiden to be your wife, and in three days the wedding must take place."

The drummer was quite contented to do as his parents wished.

The poor princess stood for a long time outside the town waiting for the return of the young man. When evening came she said to herself, "No doubt he has kissed his parents on the right cheek, and I am quite forgotten."

Her heart was so full of grief that she wished herself in a lonely house in the wood close by.

Every evening she went into the town and wandered about the grounds of the drummer's castle. She saw him many times, but he never saw her; and one day she heard people talking of his marriage, and saying that it would take place the following day.

Then she said to herself, "I must try to win him back again."

So on the first day of the betrothal she wished

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THE DRUMMER AND PRINCESS REUNITED

for a beautiful dress that should shine as the sun. And when it lay before her it glittered like sunbeams. All the guests were assembled when she entered the room; every one present was surprised at her beauty and her rich dress; but the drummer did not recognize her among so many, as she had disguised herself. That night, however, when all was still, she placed herself outside his window, and

sang:

"Drummer, should I forgotten be?
Was it not I who tended thee,
And to your tasks lent all my aid,

When on the mountain top you strayed?
You freed me from the witch's power,
And swore to love me from that hour.
Your riches all were gifts from me;
Then why should I forgotten be?"

But the song was all lost; the young man slept soundly and heard it not. On the second evening she was again at the festival, and afterward sang her mournful song outside the window.

But she had mistaken the sleeping-room of her lover, and again her complaints would have been useless, had not the servants of the castle told their young master that they had heard a beautiful voice singing during the night. His curiosity was excited, and he determined to listen at the window himself.

In the night after the third day of the betrothal, when the festivities were over, the young man placed himself at the window to listen; but no sooner had he heard the sound of the voice singing,

"Drummer, should I forgotten be?
Was it not I who tended thee,
And to your tasks lent all my aid,
When on the mountain top you strayed?
You freed me from the witch's power,
And swore to love me from that hour.
Your riches all were gifts from me;
Then why should I forgotten be?"

than everything returned to his memory.

"Ah!" he cried, "how nearly have I lost my true and only love! In the joy of my heart I kissed my parents on the right cheek. There is the fault; but I will atone for my conduct."

He started up, as the song still continued in plaintive accents, rushed out, and exclaimed, "Forgive me, dearest!" and as he pressed her to his heart she forgot her sorrow and forgave him all.

Then he led her to his parents, and said, "This is the true bride!" and told them what she had done for him and the cause of his forgetfulness. They were ready to receive her at once as their daughterin-law, and the other intended bride was made happy by being presented with the dresses which the real bride had worn at the festival.

STOP, STOP, PRETTY WATER

By MRS. ELIZA LEE FOLLEN

STO

TOP, stop, pretty water!"
Said Mary, one day,

To a frolicsome brook
That was running away.

"You run on so fast!

I wish you would stay;
My boat and my flowers
You will carry away.

"But I will run after:

Mother says that I may;
For I would know where
You are running away."

So Mary ran on;

But I have heard say,
That she never could find

Where the brook ran away.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Adapted from the story by MADAME VILLENEUVE

Na far-off country, a long time ago, lived a rich merchant and his happy family. There were six sons and six daughters; all the sons big, strong and manly; all the daughters graceful and beautiful. But one of the daughters,

the youngest, was more graceful than her sisters, and so far surpassed them in comeliness that the only name she was known by was Beauty. It cost no small sum to support this large family, but the merchant was an affectionate father, and he gave his children everything they wanted, so that their lives were as joyous as the days were long.

But suddenly misfortunes came upon them all and left the poor merchant sadly distressed. First, their great house burned down, and all their silver, paintings and costly clothing and jewelry were destroyed. The same day came the news that a large ship, full of costly merchandise, was sunk; and soon it was learned that every ship belonging to the merchant was lost with crews and cargoes. These misfortunes worried him greatly, but when he learned that his trusted employes had banded against him and stolen all that was left of his property, he was brought face to face with direst poverty.

At first the daughters thought that their friends would take pity on them, and that homes would be offered them, but they soon learned how false the

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