art."

[Illustration: HE TUGGED IN VAIN]

Though each guest tugged with all his might, he tugged in vain.

In the years that followed, many came and went, and all tried hard to
gain the sword, and still that magic blade slept on within the ash
tree's sheath.

THE VALIANT SIEGMUND

One very dark and stormy night, Siegmund, a brave warrior, wandered
alone in the forest.

That day a desperate battle had been fought.

As the darkness came on, Siegmund escaped from the enemy.

He had lost his weapons, and now he trudged through the pathless woods,
seeking some place where he might find balm for his wounds and shelter
from the raging storm.

He was almost exhausted when he caught sight of a flickering candlelight
in the window of a forest hut.

With the little strength that he had left, he dragged himself to its
door.

No one answered his call, and no longer caring if it were the home of
friend or foe, he opened the door, and staggering in he sank upon
the hearth.

As he looked about him he thought, "This is the home of some forest
chief."

A great fire burned in the rude fireplace, and, as he grew warm, being
worn and weary, he sank into a heavy sleep.

HUNDING'S WIFE

As Siegmund slept, the door of the inner room was gently opened and a
beautiful woman stole softly in.

She was clad in snowy white.

Her head was crowned with a wealth of golden hair.

She had heard Siegmund as he entered the room, and, thinking her
chieftain had returned from the hunt, she came to greet him.

Instead she saw a stranger on the hearth, and, drawing near, she saw
that his face looked sad and troubled.

"Who are you?" she asked, but Siegmund did not stir.

Then she knelt beside him and looked into his face.

It was the strong, noble face of a hero.

"He sleeps," she said. "How weak and weary he seems. Perhaps he has been
wounded or is faint from hunger."

Siegmund roused and asked for water.

The woman ran quickly, and, bringing a cup of cold water, held it to his
parched lips.

Siegmund drank. Then, gazing into the woman's kind face, he gasped:
"Where am I?"

But, with a startled look, she stood in silence, listening to the heavy
tread outside the door.

HUNDING

The next moment the chieftain entered and glared fiercely at Siegmund.

The woman hastened to say: "I found this stranger lying on our hearth.
He was faint and needed help."

"And did you give it?" growled the chieftain.

"I gave him