ot leave the place. Presently from
a window was thrown a plateful of tempting-looking food. Cheri was
just about to devour it, when the girl to whom he had given the bread,
rushed forward and throwing her arms around him cried,

[Illustration: "COME, MY CHILDREN, I AM GOING TO TRANSPORT YOU TO YOUR
PALACE."]

"Poor little dog, do not touch that food, it is poisoned." Just then
a voice was heard saying, "You see that a good action meets with
reward," and at the same time Cheri was changed into a pretty white
pigeon. For several days he flew around hoping to catch sight of
Zelie, and at last, seated by a hermit, outside a cave, he found
her. Fluttering down he alighted upon her shoulder. Zelie stroked his
feathers whispering that she now accepted his gift and would love
him always, and at that moment Cheri regained his natural figure,
and Fairy Candide appeared in place of the hermit whose form she had
taken. "Come, my children," said she, "I am going to transport you
to your Palace, that Cheri may receive his crown of which he has now
become worthy," and hardly had she ceased speaking, when they found
themselves in Suliman's presence. The worthy Governor was delighted to
behold his dear master, and gladly resigned the throne to him. Cheri
and Zelie reigned long and happily, and we are told that the ring,
which the Prince now wore again, never once severely pricked him.

[Illustration]

THE WHITE CAT

There was once a King who had three sons, all handsome and brave, but
it came to his ears that they wished to reign now instead of waiting
until he died, he therefore determined to divert their minds by making
promises the fulfilment of which he would always be able to evade. So
he called them to his room and spoke: "You must agree with me, my
dear children, that at my great age I cannot manage the business of
my kingdom as I used to do, and as I am intending retiring into the
country, it seems to me that a clever, faithful dog would be very good
company, and I promise you that whichever brings me the most beautiful
little dog at once succeeds to the kingdom."

The Princes were much surprised to hear their father's wish for a
little dog, but agreed with pleasure to go in search of one. They said
goodbye to the King, who gave them money and jewels, announcing that
in a year he should expect them to return, all on the same day and at
the same hour, bringing to him their little dogs.

[Illustration: "ON A CERTA