held a child of
man. All the immortals are full-grown; there are no children among
them. Peering through the trees Necile saw the child lying on the
grass. But now it was sweetly sleeping, having been comforted by the
milk drawn from Shiegra. It was not old enough to know what peril
means; if it did not feel hunger it was content.

Softly the nymph stole to the side of the babe and knelt upon the
sward, her long robe of rose leaf color spreading about her like a
gossamer cloud. Her lovely countenance expressed curiosity and
surprise, but, most of all, a tender, womanly pity. The babe was
newborn, chubby and pink. It was entirely helpless. While the nymph
gazed the infant opened its eyes, smiled upon her, and stretched out
two dimpled arms. In another instant Necile had caught it to her
breast and was hurrying with it through the forest paths.

3. The Adoption

The Master Woodsman suddenly rose, with knitted brows. "There is a
strange presence in the Forest," he declared. Then the Queen and her
nymphs turned and saw standing before them Necile, with the sleeping
infant clasped tightly in her arms and a defiant look in her deep blue
eyes.

And thus for a moment they remained, the nymphs filled with surprise
and consternation, but the brow of the Master Woodsman gradually
clearing as he gazed intently upon the beautiful immortal who had
wilfully broken the Law. Then the great Ak, to the wonder of all, laid
his hand softly on Necile's flowing locks and kissed her on her fair
forehead.

"For the first time within my knowledge," said he, gently, "a nymph has
defied me and my laws; yet in my heart can I find no word of chiding.
What is your desire, Necile?"

"Let me keep the child!" she answered, beginning to tremble and falling
on her knees in supplication.

"Here, in the Forest of Burzee, where the human race has never yet
penetrated?" questioned Ak.

"Here, in the Forest of Burzee," replied the nymph, boldly. "It is my
home, and I am weary for lack of occupation. Let me care for the babe!
See how weak and helpless it is. Surely it can not harm Burzee nor the
Master Woodsman of the World!"

"But the Law, child, the Law!" cried Ak, sternly.

"The Law is made by the Master Woodsman," returned Necile; "if he bids
me care for the babe he himself has saved from death, who in all the
world dare oppose me?" Queen Zurline, who had listened intently to
this conversation, clapped her pretty hands gle