CHAPTER XXI,
CHEERFULNESS AND GLOOM.

THERE was once a Fairy who, as she was
playing among the flowers, felt a chill breath
of wind, and saw two or three of the blossoms
fall dead at her side. She immediately arose
and looked around, and beheld a tall woman,
like a witch, standing near: though covered
with furs, she was shivering with cold.

“ What do you do here?” said the Fairy.

“TI am commanded to try my power with
thine,” said the Ogress, in a harsh tone. |

“ And how shall this be done?” said the
Fairy.

“J have my wand, and thou hast thine,”
was the reply.

“Let me see a touch of thy skill,? said
the Fairy. Here the witch waved her wand,
and suddenly a blast of wind was heard
roaring in the adjacent forest. The green
leaves, now sere afid yellow, were torn from
the trees and cast into the valley. The