t disappeared and in its place arose a stately palace full of riches
and beautiful things. Servants passed hither and thither and addressed
the poor man respectfully as "My lord!" and his wife as "My lady!"

The old beggar arose and as he went he blessed them both, saying:

"God gives you these riches and they will be yours to enjoy so long as
you share them with others."

They must have remembered the Angel's words for all their lives long
they were happy and prosperous.

[Illustration]

THE VILAS' SPRING

[Illustration]

_The Story of the Brother Who Knew That Good Was Stronger Than Evil_

THE VILAS' SPRING

There was once a rich man who had two sons. The older son was
overbearing, greedy, and covetous. He was dishonest, too, and thought
nothing of taking things that belonged to others. The younger brother
was gentle and kind. He was always ready to share what he had and he was
never known to cheat or to steal.

"He's little better than a fool!" the older brother used to say of him
scornfully.

When the brothers grew to manhood the old father died leaving directions
that they divide his wealth between them, share and share alike.

"Nonsense!" the older brother said. "That fool would only squander his
inheritance! To every poor beggar that comes along he'd give an alms
until soon my poor father's savings would be all gone! No! I'll give him
three golden ducats and a horse and tell him to get out and if he makes
a fuss I won't give him that much!"

So he said to his younger brother:

"You're a fool and you oughtn't to have a penny from our father's
estate. However, I'll give you three golden ducats and a horse on
condition that you clear out and never come back."

"Brother," the younger one said quietly, "you are doing me a wrong."

"What if I am?" sneered the older. "Wrong is stronger than Right just as
I am stronger than you. Be off with you now or I'll take from you even
these three golden ducats and the horse!"

Without another word the younger brother mounted the horse and rode
away.

Time went by and at last the brothers chanced to meet on the highway.

"God bless you, brother!" the younger one said.

"Don't you go God-blessing me, you fool!" the older one shouted. "It
isn't God who is powerful in this world but the Devil!"

"No, brother," the other said, "you are wrong. God is stronger than the
Devil just as Good is stronger than Evil."

"Are you sure of that?"

"Yes, b