Matkcious Skinp. 3a

door, where he took the chain in his mouth; then wings un-
folded from his sides, and he flew away in the shape of the
large black hawk which had first pursued the doves.

“There was no end of mischief done! Aunt Katrine wrung
her hands over her folly in taking the chain from the safe hid-
ing-place, and now some evil fairy had made off with it.

“ The children were crossing the meadow at that moment.

“«See the hawk up yonder with something in its mouth,’
said Sophia.

“«Tt must be a frog or a snake,’ returned Otto, not dreaming
that the precious chain was gone.

“Aunt Katrine said not a word, like the cowardly old body
she was. What was the use? Otto would sulk for a month,
and the dove child weep herself to death to think that she could
never be restored to her own people, wherever they might be.

“Now the hawk was a wicked fairy, Skimp by name, who
felt malice towards every one. When the fairy king’s third
wife died, leaving him an interesting widower, Skimp expected
to be asked to marry him. Instead of that he chose her young
maid-of-honor, and Skimp’s temper was soured; so she went
about in many shapes, not only tormenting the other fairies,
but any chance mortal besides. In this way she made the
acquaintance of all the giants and hobgoblins in the universe.

“* Before I hide the chain where it cannot easily be found, I
must do a trifle more mischief, she thought, and paused near a
great city where the smoke could be seen curling up from the
chimneys, and the church spires were outnumbered by the masts
of the shipping in the harbor. Here she changed her hawk
dress to the costume of a country girl; a broad hat shaded a