hey had time to say, but that was enough to show that love was still
warm in their hearts.

Then away, and away, and away, through the sun and the dew rode the
elder brother--away and away over hill and dale toward the king's
palace.

The king and his counselors were watching and waiting there, and as
the sun climbed high and the message did not come, those who wanted
war said:

"Shall we not saddle our horses, and call up our men?"

"The bells in the steeple have yet to ring for noon," said the
peace-lovers; "and we see a dust on the king's highway."

"Dust flies before wind," said the warriors, "and it is likelier that
our messenger lies in the duke's prison than rides on the king's
highway."

But with the dust came the sound of flying hoofs. Faster, faster,
faster, they came. When the first stroke of the noon hour pealed from
the church steeple the king's messenger was in sight, and the last
bell had not rung when he stood before the palace gate to deliver the
duke's message:

"Peace and good will to you and yours;
And to all a Merry Christmas."

Then the king sent for fine robes and a golden chain to be brought for
the elder brother, and put a purse of gold in his hand, for he was
well pleased with what he had done.

But the elder brother would have none of these things for himself
alone.

"Try as I would, I must have failed had it not been for my brother,
the blacksmith, who shod my horse on the road to-day," he said; "and,
if it please your majesty, half of all you give to me I will give to
him."

"Two good servants are better than one," said the king, and he sent
for the younger brother that he might thank him also.

Then the two brothers were clothed alike and feasted alike, and each
had a purse of gold; and whenever one was praised, so was the other.

And they lived happily, each in his own work, all the days of their
lives.

THE JAR OF ROSEMARY

There was once a little prince whose mother, the queen, was sick. All
summer she lay in bed, and everything was kept quiet in the palace;
but when the autumn came she grew better. Every day brought color to
her cheeks, and strength to her limbs, and by and by the little prince
was allowed to go into her room and stand beside her bed to talk to
her.

He was very glad of this for he wanted to ask her what she would like
for a Christmas present; and as soon as he had kissed her, and laid
his cheek against hers, he whispered his ques