it a slice which would have broken Scrub's heart in
former times, it was so thick and large. And having sewed up the leaves
in the lining of his leather doublet, he set out with the messenger on
his way to court.

His coming caused great surprise there. Everybody wondered what the king
could see in such a common-looking man; but scarcely had His Majesty
conversed with him half an hour, when the princess and her seven islands
were forgotten and orders given that a feast for all comers should be
spread in the banquet hall.

The princes of the blood, the great lords and ladies, the ministers of
state, after that discoursed with Spare, and the more they talked the
lighter grew their hearts, so that such changes had never been seen at
court.

The lords forgot their spites and the ladies their envies, the princes
and ministers made friends among themselves, and the judges showed no
favor.

As for Spare, he had a chamber assigned him in the palace, and a seat
at the king's table. One sent him rich robes, and another costly jewels;
but in the midst of all his grandeur he still wore the leathern doublet,
and continued to live at the king's court, happy and honored, and making
all others merry and content.

THE CHRISTMAS FAIRY OF STRASBURG

A GERMAN FOLK-TALE

BY J. STIRLING COYNE (ADAPTED)

Once, long ago, there lived near the ancient city of Strasburg, on the
river Rhine, a young and handsome count, whose name was Otto. As the
years flew by he remained unwed, and never so much as cast a glance at
the fair maidens of the country round; for this reason people began to
call him "Stone-Heart."

It chanced that Count Otto, on one Christmas Eve, ordered that a great
hunt should take place in the forest surrounding his castle. He and his
guests and his many retainers rode forth, and the chase became more
and more exciting. It led through thickets, and over pathless tracts
of forest, until at length Count Otto found himself separated from his
companions.

He rode on by himself until he came to a spring of clear, bubbling
water, known to the people around as the "Fairy Well." Here Count Otto
dismounted. He bent over the spring and began to lave his hands in the
sparkling tide, but to his wonder he found that though the weather was
cold and frosty, the water was warm and delightfully caressing. He
felt a glow of joy pass through his veins, and, as he plunged his hands
deeper, he fancied that his right hand was grasped