rn Heaven and that he had been specially
deputed by the rulers there to render him all the assistance in his
power at this particular crisis, when they knew his heart was so full
of anxiety.

"We have all heard in that far-off fairyland," he continued, "of the
devotion you have shown to Willow, and how during all the years which
have intervened since you saw her last you have never faltered in your
love for her. Such affection is rare among mortals, and the dwellers
in fairyland would like to help in bringing together two such loving
hearts; for let me assure you that however strong your feeling for the
one whom you are so anxious to see again, she on her part is just as
deeply in love with you, and is now counting the days until she will be
able to see you and until you need never again be parted from each
other. In order to assist in this happy consummation, I want you to
take a short trip with me. It will only take a few hours, and you will
then find that something has happened to remove all your fears as to
how you will be received by Willow."

The fairy man then led Chan to the door, and gave a wave of his hand in
the direction of the sky. Instantly the sound of the fluttering and
swish of wings was heard, and in a moment a splendid eagle landed
gracefully at their feet. Taking their seats upon its back, they found
themselves flashing at lightning speed away through the darkness of the
night. Higher and higher they rose, till they had pierced the heavy
masses of clouds which hung hovering in the sky. Swift as an arrow the
eagle still cleft its way upward until the clouds had vanished to an
infinite distance below them; and still onward they were borne in the
mighty stillness of an expanse where no human being had ever travelled
before.

Chan felt his heart throb with a nervousness which he could not
control. What if the bird should tire, he thought, and he should be
dropped into the fathomless abyss below? Life's journey would then
come to a tragic end. Where, too, was he being carried and how should
he be ever able to return to his far-off home on the earth? He was
becoming more and more agitated, when the fairy took hold of his hand
and in a voice which at once stilled his fears, assured him that there
was not the least danger in this journey through the air.

"We are as safe here," he assured him, "as though we were standing upon
a mountain whose roots lie miles below the surface of the earth. An