SO wh, ;

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reminded her that she had not received per-

mission to divulge the secret, and kissing af-
fectionately her father’s hand, she thanked him
for his encouragement.

««« At the appointed hour she was on the spot,
awaiting the fairy, who soon appeared. A be-
nignant smile overspread her features.

««« Well, Elizabetha,” she said, “and hast
thou found that I have deserved thy grati-
tude?”

««« Kind fairy!” cried the young girl. “I

     

cannot thank thee enough. Ask of me what
thou wilt, I shall be only too ready to perform
it.

”

«« The fairy smiled. “My condition is a very

,

simple one,” she said. “It is only this: when-
ever, Elizabetha, you feel yourself in the least
degree discomposed or out of temper, utter
no word till you have mentally counted the
magic number seven. And if you follow this
rule it will be but seldom that your tongue,
of which I now restore to you the full control”

(she touched it again with her wand as she