very glad to breathe the air of the upper world again; but
the man's disappointment was bitter.

"'It is of no use,' he said, when again he stood on the terrace in front of
his castle. 'It is of no use to struggle. I am imprisoned for life in the
Valley of Vain Regret.'"

* * * * *

Jewel's father paused. She had listened attentively. Now she turned to her
grandfather.

"Is that the way you think the story went, grandpa?"

Mr. Evringham nodded. "I think it did," he replied.

"Then go on, please, father, because I like a lot of happiness in my
stories, and I want that man to hurry up and know that--that error is
cheating him."

"Your mother to the rescue, then," replied Harry Evringham, smiling.

Jewel turned to look at her mother, and, rising again, picked up her
hassock and carried it to the steamer chair in which Mrs. Evringham was
reclining.

Her mother looked into her serious eyes and nodded reassuringly as she
began:--

* * * * *

"As that sorry old man stood there on the terrace, things had never looked
so black to him. He was so tired, so tired of hating. He longed for a
thousand things, he knew not what, but he was sure they were to be found at
the Castle of True Delight; but he was shut in! There was no way out. As he
was thinking these despairing thoughts and looking about on the scenes
which had grown hateful to him, he saw something that made him start. The
great iron gates leading out of his grounds opened as once before, and a
little girl in white garments came in and moved toward him. His heart
leaped at the sight,--and it swelled a bit, too!

"Instead of ordering her off, he hurried toward her and, although he
scowled in his eagerness, she smiled and lifted dark eyes that beamed
lovingly.

"'I cannot find my way to your country nor to the Castle of True Delight,'
said the man, 'and I need you to show me. Since you have found your road
hither twice, surely you can go back again.'

"'Yes, easily,' replied Purity, 'and since you know that you need me, you
are ready, and the King welcomes all.'

"'He will not like me,' said the sorry man, 'because nobody does.'

"'I do,' replied the child; and at her tone the man's heart swelled a
little more.

"'There is water in my eyes,' he said, as if to himself. 'What does that
mean?'

"'It will make you see better,' replied the child. 'It is the kind of water
that softens the heart, a