TWILIGHT LAND

by-and-by ?” for, to tell the truth, the good supper that he
had come away from at home had left a sharp hunger
‘gnawing at his insides, and he longed for something good
and warm to fill the empty place. But time passed, and
not so much as a crust of bread was brought to stay his
stomach.

By-and-by the clock struck twelve, and then the two -
who sat upon the throne arose. The beautiful lady took
the magician by the hand, and, turning to those who stood
around, said, in a loud voice, “Behold him who alone is
worthy to possess the jewel of jewels! Unto him do I
give it, and with it all power of powers!” Thereon she
opened a golden casket that stood beside her, and brought
thence a little crystal ball, about as big as a pigeon’s egg,
in which was something that glistened like a spark of fire.
The magician took the crystal ball and thrust it into his
bosom; but what it was the fisherman could not guess,
and if you do not know I shall not tell you.

Then for the first time the beautiful lady seemed to.
notice the fisherman. She beckoned him, and when he
stood beside her two men came carrying a chest. The
chief treasurer opened it, and it was full of bags of gold
money. ‘How will you have it?” said the beautiful
lady.

“ Have what ?” said the fisherman.

“Have the pay for your labour?” said the beautiful
lady.

“J will,” said the fisherman, promptly, “take it in
my hat.”

“So be it,” said the beautiful lady. She waved her
hand, and the chief treasurer took a bag from the chest,
untied it, and emptied a cataract of gold into the fur cap.

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