once more her fairy friend.

"Lisbeth," the fairy said, "come in and take what you like. Under those
sweet blossoms are chests containing gold, silver and jewels. You may
remove the flowers and open which you please. Take as much as you can
carry, and come again as often as you like. The 'key-flower' will always
admit you.

"But there is one thing you must remember. You must not take away a
single blossom, but every flower must be replaced where you find it. So
long as you observe this rule you will always find an entrance into this
home of wealth and treasure, but if you disobey punishment will quickly
follow."

As she spoke these words the fairy again vanished, and Lisbeth, seeking
among the flowers, found the treasure of which she had been told.
Filling her apron with gold and silver, she replaced the blossoms she
had removed, and hastened home to her mother.

And great was the delight of the poor sick woman, for now she and her
little daughter need be no longer poor. Many and many a time they
visited the enchanted castle; and ever since Lisbeth told the story to
her friends, the boys and girls of Germany have called the primrose the
"key-flower."

They believe that as long as they are good and obedient it will unlock
for them the door of the enchanted castle, where treasures of wealth and
happiness are to be found.

THE FAIR MAIDS OF FEBRUARY

Fairy Tales from Flowerland
THE FAIR MAIDS OF FEBRUARY

"The frail snowdrop
Born of the breath of Winter."
--_Barry Cornwall._

A GREAT many years ago, when Adam and Eve were turned out of Eden for
their disobedience, Eve looked out over the bare and desolate earth and
wept for the beauty she had lost.

Before this it had always been summer-time. The sun had always shone,
and Eve had breathed the fragrance of the flowers, day after day, and
gathered them at her own sweet will.

But now it was winter, and all was changed. The trees stood bare and
leafless; no birds sang in their branches; no sweet blossoms raised
their heads to catch the sun's warm rays. The skies were gray and
cheerless, and ever the soft white snow kept falling silently, "like the
footsteps of angels descending upon earth."

But the good God in Heaven saw Eve sit weeping, and looked down on her
with pitying eyes, and turning to one of the bright angels who stood by,
ready to do His bidding, He said:

"See how yonder poor woman sits weeping. Go swiftly and do what thou
can