ord or sign the secret of the
bridge.' She waved her wand, and in a breath lights and fairies
disappeared and he was left alone. Not alone, for he heard Sadonia
singing:--

"'The ducks and the geese they all swim over--'

"and there, dimly seen in the moonlight, she sat on a toadstool, wrapped
in a mantle of green.

"'It is time, mortal, for you to be up and away. In yonder red castle
lives a magician; it was he you saw cutting wood--this is the hour when
he sleeps. Is your courage strong? Are you ready to do the impossible?'
While she spoke the young man sprang to his feet.

"'Do you see the star straight before us in the heavens?' she asked.
'Keep your eyes fixed upon it, and think of her who is now dreaming of
you; then if you obey me, all will be well.'

"She led him to the edge of the cliff, below him was the rushing stream;
'Look at the star and go on,' she cried.

"For one instant he hesitated. Go on? Where would the next step take
him? Beneath were the rocks and the foaming torrent, but above him was
the glowing star. He stepped bravely out. Louder and louder roared the
torrent, brighter and brighter burned the star, firm and solid was the
mysterious path. Confidence grew as he went on, his heart full of a
great joy, and presently he felt the turf under his feet; the stream was
crossed!

"As he paused to look back the truth flashed upon him: the bridge was
where it had always been, but some strange spell had made it invisible!

"He went on his way, and all around him he seemed to hear fairy voices
singing:--

"'The ducks and the geese they all swim over,
Fol de rol de ri do, fol de ri do--'

"He stopped and, lifting his hat, said softly, 'Thank you, Sadonia!' and
hoped she heard.

"On the next day the maiden and her lover had a joyous wedding, and the
evil-minded magician slunk away in a rage to his castle, having
discovered that love is stronger than magic; for no evil power can
destroy the bridge between true and loving hearts, and faith and courage
can always find the way."

* * * * *

"Well!" exclaimed Mr. Clark, as Miss Sherwin paused, with a very
becoming color in her cheeks, "who would have thought there was such a
story hidden away in my old song."

"I am so pleased that we asked her to do it," said Mrs. Morrison,
smiling across the table at the story-teller. "I had my suspicions
before, and now they are confirmed," she added.

"I am just proud