them to do so.

So now the cat had a splendid castle, which he knew to be full of
heaped-up treasures, at his command, and ordering a magnificent feast
to be prepared, he took up his station at the castle gates to welcome
his master and the royal party.

As soon as the castle appeared in sight, the King enquired whose it
was, "For," said he, "I have never seen a finer."

Then Puss, bowing low, threw open the castle gates, and cried:

"May it please your Majesty to alight and enter the home of the most
noble the Marquis of Carabas."

Full of surprise, the King turned to the Marquis. "Is this splendid
castle indeed yours?" he asked. "Not even our own palace is more
beautiful, and doubtless it is as splendid within as without."

Puss then helped his Majesty to alight, and conducted him into the
castle, where a group of noble gentlemen and fair ladies were waiting
to receive them. Jack, or the Marquis as he was now called, gave
his hand to the young Princess, and led her to the banquet. Long and
merrily they feasted, and when at length the guests rose to depart,
the King embraced the Marquis, and called him his dear son; and the
Princess blushed so charmingly and looked so shy and sweet, that Jack
ventured to lay his heart and fortune at her feet.

And so the miller's son married the King's daughter, and there were
great rejoicings throughout the land.

On the evening of the wedding-day a great ball was given, to which
princes and noblemen from far and near were invited. Puss opened the
ball, wearing for the occasion a pair of boots made of the finest
leather, with gold tassels and scarlet heels. I only wish you could
have seen him.

When the old King died, the Princess and her husband reigned in his
stead, and their most honored and faithful friend at Court was Puss
himself, for his master never forgot to whom he owed all his good
fortune. He lived upon the daintiest meat and most delicious cream,
and was petted and made much of all the days of his life, and never
again ran after mice and rats, except for exercise and amusement.

* * * * *

THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER

There was once a shoemaker who, through no fault of his own, had
become so poor that at last he had only leather enough left for one
pair of shoes. At evening he cut out the shoes which he intended to
begin upon the next morning, and since he had a good conscience, he
lay down quietly, said his prayers,