Aunt Katrine Finds the Chain. 129

“She ran to Aunt Katrine, who always petted and soothed
her, entreating her with many tears to find the chain which
Otto had concealed so long ago.

“«What strange enchantment binds you, poor child?’ asked
the good woman, hoping to hear a story of magic. The stran-
ger only shook her head sorrowfully, and looked away into
the clear sky where the other dove had flown. After this
she grew discontented and unhappy. Often would she watch
for her mate, but the other never dared to appear, for fear
Otto’s bullet should pierce its tender breast.

“Aunt Katrine decided to find the chain, and release the
child, whatever the result might be. She was an amiable old
lady, and she rather dreaded Otto’s illtemper, so she asked
him nothing about the matter, because she feared he would
only hide the chain somewhere else. Besides, he was already
growing to be a tall, stout lad, and would soon become master
of the house. Accordingly, she chose an hour when the baking
and sweeping were done for the day, the children away at
school, and, putting on her spectacles, deliberately began the
search. :

“ First she examined the chamber where Otto slept, but there
she found nothing besides a few playthings. Then she remem-
bered that the boy came down the ladder from the attic after
he had run away with the chain on the day when the dove
child was found; so up the creaking ladder went Aunt Katrine,
and it was not long before she placed her hand directly on the
chain as it lay coiled up snugly on the beam behind the bird-
trap. She returned to the kitchen with the treasure, and, seat-
ing herself by the open window, admired the delicate chain, pol-

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