rance, and they told Frau von Brakel that they must take
possession of all the piece of land, and the house, and everything in
it, because the deceased baron owed all that, and more besides, to his
cousin, who could wait no longer for his money. So that Frau von Brakel
was a beggar, and had to go away from the pretty little village of
Brakelheim, where she had spent so many happy years, and go to live
with a relation not very far away. She and the children had to pack up
whatever little bits of clothes and effects they had left, and with
many tears take their leave, and set forth upon their way. As they
crossed the bridge, and heard the loud voice of the forest stream, Frau
von Brakel fell down in a swoon, and Felix and Christlieb sank on their
knees beside her, and cried, with many sobs and tears, "Oh, unfortunate
creatures that we are! Will no one take any pity on us?"

At that moment the distant rushing of the forest stream seemed
to turn into beautiful music. The thickets gave forth mysterious
sighs, and presently all the forest streamed with wonderful, sparkling
fires. And lo! the Stranger Child appeared, coming forth out of the
sweet-smelling leafage, surrounded by such a brilliant light and
radiance, that Felix and Christlieb had to shut their eyes at the
brightness of it. Then they felt themselves gently touched, and the
Stranger Child's beautiful voice said, "Oh, do not mourn so, dear
playmates of mine! Do I not love you as much as ever? Can I ever leave
you? No, no! Although you do not see me with your bodily eyes, I am
always with you and about you, helping you with all my power to be
always happy and fortunate. Only keep me in your hearts, as you have
done hitherto, and neither the wicked Pepser, nor any other adversary,
will have power to harm you. Only go on loving me truly and
faithfully."

"Oh, that we shall--that we shall!" the children cried. "We love you
with all our souls!"

When they were able to open their eyes again, the Stranger Child had
vanished; but all their pain was gone from them, and they felt that a
heavenly joy and gladness had arisen within their hearts. Frau von
Brakel recovered slowly from her swoon, and said, "Children, I saw you
in a dream. You seemed to be standing in a blaze of gleaming gold, and
the sight has strengthened and refreshed me in a wonderful way."

Delight beamed in the children's eyes, and shone in their cheeks. They
related how the Stranger Child had come to the