ve, and these links were: Passion, patience, completion,
friendship, tolerance, understanding, tenderness, forgiveness,
service, humor."_

_This is the end of the tale of Vasantasena, the slave who was
free in her own heart, and of Madusadan, a captain of horse, who
plucked the white rose without fearing the thorns._

_And, says the tale, if you would make your chain doubly
unbreakable, add another foot to it, another link. There is no
word for it. But, by the strength and sense of it, you must
never lull your love to sleep in the soft cradle of too great
security._

_For love demands eternal vigilance._

_LISTEN, O AZZIA, O BELOVED, TO MY JATAKA!_

SECOND TALE

OUT OF THE DARK

BY MAX BRAND

The principality of Pornia is not a large country and in the ordinary
course of history it should have been swallowed entire, centuries ago,
by one of the kingdoms which surround it. Its situation has saved it
from this fate, for it is the buffer state between two great monarchies
whose jealousy has preserved for Pornia an independent existence.

Despite its independence, Pornia has never received much consideration
from the rest of Europe, and the aim of its princes for many generations
has been to foist it into the great councils by a strong alliance with
one of the two kingdoms to which it serves as a buffer.

The long-desired opportunity came at last in the reign of Alexander VI,
who, one morning, commanded Rudolph of Herzvina to appear at the palace.
As soon as the worthy old baron appeared, Alexander spoke to him as
follows: "Rudolph, you are an old and respected counselor, a devoted
servant of the State, and therefore I am delighted to announce that the
greatest honor is about to descend upon your family, an honor so great
that the entire State of Pornia will be elevated thereby. The Crown
Prince Charles wishes to make your daughter his wife!"

At this he stepped back, the better to note the joy with which old
Rudolph would receive this announcement, but, to his astonishment, the
baron merely bowed his head and sighed.

"Your highness," said Rudolph of Herzvina, "I have long known of the
attachment which the crown prince has for my daughter, Bertha, but I
fear that the marriage can never be consummated."

"Come, come!" said the prince genially. "It is a far leap indeed from
Baron of Herzvina to father-in-law to Prince Charles, but there have
been strang