136 The Catskill Fairies.

ments. Ah, that was a happy life! We played in rose-gardens
with our maids, and bathed in marble fountains.

“One day there was a grand reception, in which a Prince
of Ethiopia, black as ebony, and wearing a turban of yellow
satin wound with chains of pearls, was presented to the King.
The Crown Prince, our brother, was present at the ceremony;
but we were too young, although our maids ran away to peep
through the lattice at the wonderful stranger. Left alone, we
rambled into our mother’s magnificent apartments, and began
to examine every rare, costly article of furniture with childish
curiosity. Presently we found a casket in an alcove which con-
tained our chains, and we at once recognized the fairy gifts.

“««T et us go out on the balcony,” urged my sister.

“«So we stepped out, disobeying our mother, and tried our
wings as doves. We flew into the audience-hall, where the
King sat in royal robes, and that was the last time I ever saw
him. We sped up into the clear sky, and after a journey of
many days reached this place. It is a cold region after my
home.’

“ As the mother ceased speaking, the dove sister came dart-
ing down to visit them. The dove maiden caressed the bird,
shedding warm tears of joy upon its snowy feathers, and even
Snowdrop stroked it with her fat little hands.

“«T have been to the fairy king, said the dove. ‘He says
that the workman who made the chain is dead, and the art
died with him, so we can never have another... The fairy sent
this pearl ring to your daughter. No one can take it from her
finger, and it will grant her wishes.’

“The mother and child returned to their humble home,