d together what was best to be done
in their present situation. It was soon agreed that, as Demetrius had
given up his pretensions to Hermia, he should endeavor to prevail upon
her father to revoke the cruel sentence of death which had been passed
against her. Demetrius was preparing to return to Athens for this
friendly purpose, when they were surprised with the sight of Egeus,
Hermia's father, who came to the wood in pursuit of his runaway
daughter.

When Egeus understood that Demetrius would not now marry his daughter,
he no longer opposed her marriage with Lysander, but gave his consent
that they should be wedded on the fourth day from that time, being the
same day on which Hermia had been condemned to lose her life; and on
that same day Helena joyfully agreed to marry her beloved and now
faithful Demetrius.

The fairy king and queen, who were invisible spectators of this
reconciliation, and now saw the happy ending of the lovers' history,
brought about through the good offices of Oberon, received so much
pleasure, that these kind spirits resolved to celebrate the
approaching nuptials with sports and revels throughout their fairy
kingdom.

And now, if any are offended with this story of fairies and their
pranks, as judging it incredible and strange, they have only to think
that they have been asleep and dreaming, and that all these adventures
were visions which they saw in their sleep; and I hope none of my
readers will be so unreasonable as to be offended with a pretty
harmless Midsummer Night's Dream.

OLD-FASHIONED STORIES

SIMPLE SUSAN

By MARIA EDGEWORTH

ADAPTED BY LOUEY CHISHOLM

I

QUEEN OF THE MAY

Simple Susan lived one hundred years ago. Mr. Price was Susan's
father. He rented a small farm and was always hard at work. No more
honest man could be found far or near, and he loved his little
daughter from the bottom of his big heart.

Mrs. Price was Susan's mother. She was a good woman who was always
busy cooking, or cleaning, or sewing. The bread and cakes made by her
were better than those made by any one else in the village. When she
was not doing household work, she earned money by taking in plain
needlework. All who knew Mrs. Price liked her and were sorry she was
so far from strong. That no girl had a better mother than Susan, every
one agreed.

John and William were Susan's little brothers. They were quite sure
that no other boys in all the world had such a good s