CINDERELLA. late at night. At last the evening came, and Cinderella dressed her two sisters, and they went off to the ball in grandeur, while she sat down in the chimney corner and wept bitter tears, While she sat thus her fairy godmother appeared and asked what was the matter. “ You want to go to the ball?” said she. ‘Well, so you shall.” “But how can I go in these rags?” cried Cinderella. ‘I'll soon fix that. Only do as I tell you,” was the reply. A pump- kin was brought in and a rat-trap filled with rats and mice, and these, at a touch from the magic wand, were trans- formed into a fine coach with driver and footmen. Another touch of the wand, and Cinderella’s rags turned into a beautiful dress, and on her feet were slippers that shone like glass. “Now go to the ball,” said the godmother, ‘but be sure and come away before twelve o’clock, or you will find yourself in rags.” Cinderella went to the ball, and was the most beautiful woman there, and the prince fell madly in love with her. It was nearly twelve o’clock when Cinderella remembered, and flew away—just in time. For outside the door her clothes turned to rags, and the rats and mice went scurry- ing off. Soon after she reached home the sisters came in and told her all about the ball, and the lovely princess who was there. She begged to go to the second ball, which was to take place the next night; but they laughed at her scornfully. The fairy godmother came again, and used her magic wand, and at the ball Cinderella was the admira- tion of all. The prince was so attentive and the time 87