134 The Catskill Fairies.

“Otto had grown to be a handsome young man. He was
faithful, industrious, and honest, and rebuilt the cottage with his
own hands. Still he must always have his own way. He
wished to marry the dove maiden. Aunt Katrine thought the
girl could not do better—after she died there would be no one
left to care for her unless she married Otto. So the dove
maiden went into the new cottage as Otto’s wife, although she
wept many tears that this should be her lot instead of finding
her dove companions once more. Aunt Katrine still scrubbed
and polished, for in that lay her chief happiness, and the dove
maiden was too delicate for such hard work. One fine morn-
ing the good aunt put on her spectacles to admire a pretty
baby which lay in the cradle, as white as milk, with sapphire
eyes. Otto made a good husband enough, and he was proud
of his wife and child, but he was surly and ill-tempered if any

little matter went wrong, even with them. The dove maiden