hat I almost wish you had left me in the woods."

"Ah, don't speak that way, Kathie; you might have starved there all
alone."

"I am not ungrateful, dear Laura."

"No, I know you are not, Kathie; you only miss little Fritz; but I am
going to find your father for you, and then, if you want to, you shall
go back to your own home, and my mamma and I will give you a great many
nice things, and we will make it pleasant and comfortable for you."

Kathie's face brightened at these kind words.

"And what can I do for you?" she asked.

"Oh, you shall teach me to spin and knit and plait, and do all sorts of
things."

And then they went on again, still followed by the little cub, around
whose neck Laura had hung a wreath of wild flowers, from which he
munched occasionally, and which she had as frequently to renew.

They had no more strange adventures, for the staff guided them safely on
their way, and as the sun lowered, and the afternoon became cool, and
the birds were less noisy, Laura suddenly espied the gray figure and
scarlet cap of Grim, waiting on the edge of the wood to welcome the
little wayfarers. When he saw them, he tossed his cap high in the air as
a signal to the Motherkin, whose pleasant face quickly appeared, and in
a few moments Laura was in her embrace. Then followed the welcome to
Kathie, and even the cub came in for his share of attention; but as
they neared the cottage, to Laura's greater astonishment, her own dear
mamma came out and took her in her arms.

"My child! my own dear Laura!" exclaimed her mother, tenderly, "how
altered you are! how you have grown! and what a fine healthy brown is
upon your cheeks! and, best of all, my dear friend tells me of the
loving pilgrimage you have just finished, and what a good girl my Laura
has become." And the mother kissed and clasped Laura, while tears of joy
fell from her eyes.

Never had there been so charming a feast seen as the Motherkin had
prepared for the little pilgrims. All about the cottage in the trees
were hung colored lanterns, which, as the evening grew darker, gave out
brilliant sparkles of light; on the little lawn was a table laden with
fruits and creams and cakes, and the white cloth was festooned with pink
roses; rustic seats, dressed with flowers and canopied with boughs, were
arranged on a carpet of richly woven colors; vases and jars of
sweet-scented flowers adorned the tables, where glittered silver
pitchers and crystal cups.

Lovely