out hunting it so happened
that news was brought that the King's intended bride was on her way and
might soon be expected. When the true bride heard of this she felt
as though a knife had pierced her heart, and she fell fainting to the
ground. The King, fearing something had happened to his dear huntsman,
ran up to help, and began drawing off his gloves. Then he saw the ring
which he had given to his first love, and as he gazed into her face he
knew her again, and his heart was so touched that he kissed her, and
as she opened her eyes, he cried: 'I am thine and thou art mine, and no
power on earth can alter that.'

To the other Princess he despatched a messenger to beg her to return to
her own kingdom with all speed. 'For,' said he, 'I have got a wife, and
he who finds an old key again does not require a new one.'

Thereupon the wedding was celebrated with great pomp, and the Lion was
restored to the royal favour, for after all he had told the truth.

Grimm.

SPINDLE, SHUTTLE, AND NEEDLE

Once upon a time there lived a girl who lost her father and mother when
she was quite a tiny child. Her godmother lived all alone in a little
cottage at the far end of the village, and there she earned her living
by spinning, weaving, and sewing. The old woman took the little orphan
home with her and brought her up in good, pious, industrious habits.

When the girl was fifteen years old, her godmother fell ill, and,
calling the child to her bedside, she said: 'My dear daughter, I feel
that my end is near. I leave you my cottage, which will, at least,
shelter you, and also my spindle, my weaver's shuttle, and my needle,
with which to earn your bread.'

Then she laid her hands on the girl's head, blessed her, and added:
'Mind and be good, and then all will go well with you.' With that she
closed her eyes for the last time, and when she was carried to her grave
the girl walked behind her coffin weeping bitterly, and paid her all the
last honours.

After this the girl lived all alone in the little cottage. She worked
hard, spinning, weaving, and sewing, and her old godmother's blessing
seemed to prosper all she did. The flax seemed to spread and increase;
and when she wove a carpet or a piece of linen, or made a shirt, she was
sure to find a customer who paid her well, so that not only did she feel
no want herself, but she was able to help those who did.

Now, it happened that about this time the King's son was making