201
XIV. 213
XV. 224
XVI. 243

[Illustration]

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Prince Ember stretched eager hands to receive it 107

She saw before her a glorious figure, Prince Ember 145

The Prince led his bride home to his Palace of
Good Cheer 249

THE SHADOW WITCH

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

PROLOGUE

Come, sit with me beside the broad hearthstone and gaze into the depths
of the fire when it burns low, for not among the leaping flames alone
are there to be seen marvelous things.

Deep hidden from your eyes at first, but plainly visible as you look
closer, are countless forms of brightness and of beauty. You will find
them among the shining coals that glimmer in scarlet and gold before you
when the embers lie clear and warm upon the hearth. You will behold
them among the shadows that flit across the embers with delicate grace
and changeful hues.

Here, spread wide open, is a part of the magical Land of Fire, the
wonderland of the good and peaceful Ember Fairies. A golden gate gives
entrance to it. Shining pathways lead through its bright gardens. Its
skies are warm and glowing. Here, decked with flaming banners, stands
the home of the good Prince Ember--his fairy Palace of Good Cheer. Here
moves the beautiful Shadow Princess, in trailing garments of rose and
amethyst. Here she may be seen in her dance of joy and ecstasy followed
by her faithful band of Shadows.

Long ago, in the Land of Shadows, lived the Shadow Witch, the one
beautiful and loving creature in all that dim and darksome land that
lies away from the Land of Fire, and between it and the Chimney Back.
Close to her domain is the great Plain of Ash, where the giant, Curling
Smoke, rises, where the crafty Ash Goblin lurks, where the boisterous
Wind in the Chimney swoops down from out the Chimney Mouth. Near by,
also, in his Cave of Darkness, her brother the Wizard works his
enchantments.

If you will but hearken, I will tell you how the Shadow Witch came to
leave that grim land with its evil fairies, and why it is that she now
dances with happiness amid t