nd, and out of sight. They were magical shoes; but, no matter how
fast they skimmed over the ground, Dorel, out of pure love, continued
to go before, talking and laughing and smoothing the way.

One by one Little One sold her jewels to buy bread, which she shared
with all the needy she chanced to meet. After many days there
remained but one gem; and she wept because she had no more to give.
But, through her tears, she now, for the first time, fancied she could
see the spires and turrets of her beautiful home, though, as yet, very
far off.

"How fast I have come!" said she, laughing with delight. "But for
these magical shoes, and Dorel's pruning-knife, I should have been
even now struggling at the foot of the hill."

Then she looked down at her torn dress.

"What a sad plight I am in! no one will know me when I get home!"

"Never fear!" said the fairy: "you are sure to be welcome."

Little One now held up her last jewel in the sunlight, while a
starving boy looked at it with eager eyes.

"Take it!" said she, weeping with the tenderest pity. "I only wish
it were a diamond instead of a ruby,--a diamond as large as my heart!"

[Illustration: THE LOST SYLPHID. Page 95.]

The boy blessed her with a tremulous voice. Little One pressed on,
singing softly to herself, till she came to a frightful chasm, full of
water.

"How shall I ever cross it!" she cried in alarm.

"May I help you, fair Sylphid?" said the grateful boy to whom she had
given her last jewel. "I can make a bridge in the twinkling of an
eye."

So saying, he threw across the roaring torrent a film which looked as
frail as any spider's web.

"It will bear you," said the Whisper: "do not be afraid!"

So Little One ventured upon the gossamer bridge, which was to the eye
as delicate as mist; but to the feet as strong as adamant. She hushed
her fears, and walked over it with a stout heart.

Now, she was on the borders of the Summer-land. Here were the turrets
and spires, the soft white clouds, the green fields, and sunny
streams. Instantly her long-lost wings appeared again; and she spread
them like a happy bird, and flew home. Oh, it was worth years of
longing and pain! She was held in tender embraces, and kissed lovingly
by well-remembered friends. To her great surprise and delight, her
father and mother were both there--they had arrived at the Summer-land
while seeking their Little One.

"Now I know," said her father, "that my daughter was not