of fairy streams.

"That song, little Violet," said the Queen, "is the record of your life
on earth.--Listen again."

They all listened, while the marvellous strain sang of Violet's gentle
life on earth.

Not a loving word she had ever said, not a kind deed she had ever done,
not a smile her loving arts had brought to the lips of the dying girl,
not a blessing uttered by the mother unconscious to whom she owed the
peace and quiet of her daughter's last days; not a fragrant breath from
rescued flower, not a song from grateful bird, but added its sweet note
to that marvellous song.

Had there been one unkind word, one selfish thought, one cruel deed, the
song would have been broken by jarring discords; but all was harmony,
not one harsh note disturbed the rippling melody.

As one by one Violet's beautiful secrets were brought to light, the
fairies looked on her with loving admiration, but Violet was quite
ashamed at being praised so openly, and hid her blushing face on
Anenome's shoulder.

When the story of Violet's deeds was ended, and the wild mysterious
music had lulled into inarticulate murmuring, the Fairy Queen looked
round upon her subjects, and asked once more, "To whom shall I give the
fairest crown?"

And all the fairies cried again, more eagerly than ever--

"To Violet! To Violet!"

Then Violet could refuse no longer, but bent gracefully on one knee
before the throne, while the Queen placed the crown on her shining hair.

The wonderful music died away into silence, and was never heard again,
but the court-minstrel who had listened eagerly to its wild strains,
caught the beautiful melody, and repeated it on his harp; and to this
day, at fairy-feast and revel, the favourite legend is that which tells
how the Fairy Violet lost and won her wings.

[Illustration]

Bellenden Series

OF

STORIES FOR CHILDREN.

By M. L. B. KER.

_Author of "Eva's Victory" &c., &c._

ILLUSTRATED BY J. A. MARTIN.

1. HOW THE FAIRY VIOLET LOST AND WON HER WINGS.

_Will shortly be published--_

2. HANS VOGLER.

=PRICE FOURPENCE.=

* * * * *

Transcriber's Notes:

Obvious punctuation errors repaired.

Page 23, "desevre" changed to "deserve" (do not deserve)

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of How the Fairy Violet Lost and Won Her
Wings, by Marianne L. B. Ker

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FAIRY VIOLET LOST AND WON WINGS ***