and ask her people to forgive and pity
him.

Then Star felt that she had done her task, and laying her hands on his
white head, she melted the last frost from his old heart by saying in
her tender voice, "Do not fear my people; they will welcome you and give
you a home if you will promise to hurt no more flowers, but always be as
gentle as you are now. Come with me, and let us teach you how beautiful
sunshine and love and happy work can make you."

The King promised, and Star led him up to the light again, where his
people waited to know what was to become of them.

"Follow me, follow me, and do not be afraid," called Star, dancing
before them,--so glad to be free that she longed to fly away. Everything
was changed; for as they came up from the cell the ruins of the palace
melted into a quiet lake, and under the archway of the pines they passed
into a new and lovely world of sunshine, flowers, and happy elves. A
great cry went up when Star was seen leading the King, with his few
subjects behind him, and every one flew to welcome the dear fairy and
the captives she brought.

"I am your prisoner, and I submit, for I have no kingdom now," said the
King, as he bowed before the Queen.

"These are the only chains you shall wear, and _this_ is your new
kingdom," answered the Queen, as her maids hung wreaths of flowers on
the King's arms and put a green crown on his head, while all the fairies
gathered round to welcome him to the lovely garden where he was to reign
beloved and happy, with no frost to spoil the long summer he had learned
to love.

There was a great feast that day, and then the elfin army marched home
again, well pleased with the battle they had fought, though all said
that it was Star who had conquered the Frost-King.

[Illustration]

II.

LILYBELL AND THISTLEDOWN, OR THE FAIRY SLEEPING BEAUTY.

[Illustration: On a bed of moss lay Lilybell fast asleep.--PAGE 37.]

Once upon a time two little fairies went out into the world to seek
their fortune. Thistledown wore a green suit, a purple cloak, a gay
feather in his cap, and was as handsome an elf as one could wish to see.
But he was not loved in Fairyland; for, like the flower whose name and
colors he wore, many faults like sharp prickles were hidden under his
fine clothes. He was idle, selfish, and cruel, and cared for nothing but
his own pleasure and comfort, as we shall see.

His little friend Lilybell was very different, for she was so ki