PRINCESS WHITE FLAME

PRINCESS
WHITE FLAME

BY
GERTRUDE·CROWNFIELD

ILLUSTRATIONS·BY·
ANNE·MERRIMAN·PECK·

E·P·DUTTON·&·COMPANY
NEW YORK

Copyright, 1920,
By E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY
All Rights Reserved

Printed in the United States of America

To
My Dear Sister
KATHARINE

CONTENTS

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

PRINCESS WHITE FLAME

PRINCESS WHITE FLAME

PROLOGUE

OF all the fairy countries in the world none is more wonderful or beautiful than the country where the Fire Fairies live. Into that land no fairies of the earth, or air, or water dare venture. They would be seared, or changed to ash or vapor.

Many are the doors that open into the Fire Kingdom—thousands, and hundreds of thousands in number. Wherever you see the firelight flicker, wherever you see flames leaping and dancing, wherever you hear the snap of the burning logs, there you may be sure is an open door. Then if you choose to creep close to it, and peer in, you may perhaps see wonderful things; fairy forms that flit and vanish, and reappear, and vanish again among the leaping flames, and smoldering embers. Perhaps, also, you may see the shining domes and glittering turrets of the fairy palaces.

But when the fire burns down, and the hearth grows dark the door is closed—there is no more to be seen of that wonderland.

In the very heart of the Fire Country stands the palace of King Red Flame, the gleaming flame-colored palace, the Palace of Burning Coals. Round it lies a wonderful garden, where paths wind away among great fields of fire lilies, and flame roses lift their heads, and the tall shining trees rustle in the wind with a sound like the whispering of the fire on the hearth. Here in this glowing country the good and happy fairies work and play, and serve their king as all good fairies should.

But not all fairies in this land are good and happy. Beyond the glow of the roses and the lilies, beyond all sight of the glimmering trees, there lies another part of the country where live the evil fairies of that land. Here are great Plains of Ash, and huge Caverns of Soot, and stretches of gloom where comes and goes the Shadow Witch. Here Imps of Darkness lurk, here Dragons crouch, and Wizards dwell. Perhaps sometimes when you have looked into the Fireplace you have seen those dismal plains and darksome valleys. They lie away from the heart of the Fire, at the side of the Hearth, and between the flames and the heaps of ashes.

And now listen, and I will tell you of Prince Radiance, and Princess White Flame who lived in the Fire Country and of many strange and wonderful adventures through which they journeyed on to reach at last a never-ending happiness.

CHAPTER I

ONCE upon a time a wicked Earth Fairy went forth to see what mischief she could do. She flitted on and on until she came to a House Door. She had come to one of the homes where the good and useful House Fairies dwell. The Door was open, and she crept up to it slyly, and peered in. There she saw a great room, in perfect order, for the House Fairies had put everything to rights before they went away to their tasks upstairs. The floor was swept, the pictures hung trim and straight upon the walls, the chairs were dusted and set about invitingly, and on the Hearth the Fire burned warm and clear.

“Hhm!” muttered the Earth Fairy. “Here is the very chance I’ve been looking for!”

She slipped inside the Door and set to work at once. She sprinkled ashes on the clean-swept floor, and set the chairs askew. She pulled the pictures crooked, and turned their faces to the wall. Into every corner of the room she went, making mischief, and leaving disorder behind her. No one came to interrupt her, so that she kept on and on with her malicious task until the room was in complete confusion. Wearied with the mischief she had done, she paused and looked about her for a place to rest. On the Hearth lay a great bank of warm ashes, soft as a feather-bed. She went to it at once, and threw herself down upon it, thinking to rest only a moment before she journeyed on. Now this was a very dangerous thing for an Earth Fairy to do, because none but Fire Fairies can safely rest so close to Fire and Flame. But this the Earth Fairy did not know, so she sank down, meaning to rest but for a short time, but she was so weary that before she knew it she had fallen off into a deep sleep, and while she slept the Fire stole from her all her Earth magic, and her Earth powers.

Since the Fire was burning, that Door to the Fire Country was of course wide open, so that King Red Flame riding out that morning on his flame-colored horse caught a glimpse of the Earth Fairy’s yellow hair as she lay in the ashes. He drew near to see who was slumbering there. At the first glance he knew that she was not a Fire Fairy. It was plain, too, that she was not a House Fairy. Whoever she was, he knew that she was in great danger, and that she must be rescued at once.

He called to her, but she neither answered nor stirred. He alighted from his horse, and bending over her shook her gently, but she gave no sign of life. He shook her more roughly, and called louder, but quite in vain.

“I shall have to take her to the palace,” murmured King Red Flame to himself. “Here I can do nothing. Queen Glow and I must consult together over the matter.”

He lifted the Earth Fairy in his arms, and laid her across his horse. Then mounting again, he rode away with her in the direction of the Palace of Burning Coals, satisfied that there, in counsel with his queen, he could bring succor to the stranger in her great need.

Queen Glow was a very beautiful fairy, and as wise and good as she was beautiful. Always her thought was how she could help and comfort those who were in trouble or distress. As soon as King Red Flame arrived at the palace, Queen Glow had the insensible Earth Fairy carried to her own room, and laid upon her royal bed. Here she bent over her, chafing her hands, and trying in every way to revive her.

There was deep silence in the room, except for the suppressed whispering of a little group of Fire Fairies gathered about the door. One by one other fairies that belonged to the palace came to join them, and among the rest came Grey Smoke, old and wise, she who had nursed Queen Glow as a child.

As soon as Grey Smoke saw the Earth Fairy, she said, “She has rested too long on the Hearth. She has rested too long in the heat. Never again can she return to her own life. There is only one thing left for us to do. We must change her into a Fire Fairy. In this way only can she again be wakened into life. Then she can live happily among us, and fill her uses in the Fire Kingdom.”

“How is so great a change as that to be wrought?” asked King Red Flame. “Have you knowledge of such a spell as will accomplish this?”

Dame Grey Smoke shook her head. “No, Your Majesty, not I,” she said. “But there is in the palace, greater knowledge than I possess. It was written long ago in the Book of Spells, that lies locked away in your treasury.”

“True,” cried the King. “Why had I not thought of that? Let the book be brought!”

The King and Queen waited in silence while a trusted messenger was dispatched to fetch it from the treasure chamber where it lay. When it was brought the King drew from his bosom a tiny key, which hung about his neck from a golden thread. As the King unlocked the book, a thin mist of magic floated out from its pages, and circled about his head for a moment before it disappeared. A thrill of awe passed through the watching fairies.

Slowly the King turned page after page, until at last he paused. “It is here,” said he. He and the Queen stooped above the book, reading the strange and crabbed letters written so many ages ago by the masters of fairy magic. When they had read the charm through to the end, the King lifted his head: “None but those who work this charm may see it wrought,” commanded he. Then one by one the fairies passed from the royal bedchamber, leaving the King and Queen alone.

All was silent in the room. The charm had been spoken—the spell had been wrought. The King and Queen stood watching the still motionless form of the Earth Fairy.

At last through her passed a thrill of wakening life. She turned upon her side. Her eyelids fluttered, then opened wide, and her eyes rested in bewilderment upon the two bending over her. From them her eyes wandered to the room about her. She raised herself upon her elbow. “Where am I?” she demanded in a trembling voice.

“You are in the Kingdom of the Fire Fairies,” answered Queen Glow gently. “But do not be afraid. You are safe here, for we have changed you into a Fire Fairy, and there is now no more danger for you here from heat or flame than there is for our own royal selves.”

The Earth Fairy’s face grew black with anger. “A Fire Fairy!” she cried. “I, a Fire Fairy! That must never be. I am of the Earth. How dared you meddle with an Earth Fairy? Let me go instantly. I am going back to my own country—to my own kind.”

“That cannot be,” answered the King. “There is no spell to transform you to what you were, and it was only by changing you into a Fire Fairy that we were able to awaken you from sleep. If we had not done this, you would have slept and slept yourself away into a film of ashes.”

Carefully then he explained to her where he had found her, and how every means had been tried to rouse her, but in vain, and only by the power of the Book of Spells had it been possible to save her. But nothing that the King or Queen could say—no words, however kind or wise, made the slightest difference to the Earth Fairy. She sprang from the bed, and stamped her foot. She wept, she stormed.

By and by, however, she became sulky, and sank into silence, and would not even answer what the King and Queen said to her. They were obliged to leave her alone, and though she ate the food that was presently sent to her, she would neither speak, nor look at the attendants who brought it.

But as time passed the Earth Fairy grew less sullen, and even seemed to be in some measure content with her new home, and her life in the palace, but Queen Glow felt sorry for her, and kept her near as her own personal attendant. If any difference was made by the Queen between her and the Fire Fairies, it was that she treated her with especial kindness and affection. But the new lady in waiting never forgot her old life, and although she was now a Fire Fairy, she always insisted upon being called Earth Fairy, and that was the name by which everyone knew her.

At last there came a time when she really seemed to respond to kindness, and to feel a certain love for the Queen. She sought to please her, and was always cheerful and complacent, and on their part the King and Queen trusted her more and more. There was nothing in the palace that they would not have given her, nor anything that they would not have granted to her, if she had asked; that is, nothing that was at all possible.

But as a matter of fact, all this affection and pleasantness was only seeming. The Earth Fairy hated both the King and Queen, and longed to be revenged upon them for the change they had wrought in her, even though it had been done to save her. Constantly her anger burned against them, and she only awaited a chance to wreak vengeance upon them. The Earth Fairy was crafty, and had the patience of craft. She was willing to wait and watch a long while if necessary, if only her chance would come in the end.

While waiting she watched and listened, learning such spells as she could from the fairies around her, and practicing them in secret. There was not a book of magic in the Palace of Burning Coals that she did not seek out and pore over; not a wand that she did not try. Only the King’s own Book of Spells was locked away from her, and one precious wand that had belonged to the mother of King Red Flame, and had been left by her in charge of the Fairy Grey Smoke, oldest and wisest of any save one in the Kingdom of the Fire Fairies. No one else, not even the King himself knew of this wand, for his mother had made Grey Smoke promise that she would never tell him of it, nor bring it from its secret hiding-place until some great need arose that called for a spell that nothing could possibly break.

If the Earth Fairy had known of this wand she would have spared no pains to get hold of it; but Grey Smoke was wise and faithful, and kept the trust that the King’s mother had reposed in her.

CHAPTER II

IT was a shining morning in Spring. King Red Flame put on his scarlet cloak and cap, kissed Queen Glow good-by, mounted his flame-colored horse, and rode away in the direction of the Dying Embers where he had been called upon important business.

The Earth Fairy, peeping from an upper window of the Palace of Burning Coals, watched him out of sight. Then she clapped her hands gleefully. “When you come back, King Red Flame—ah, yes—when you come back, I think perhaps you will find a surprise awaiting you.” For at last the Earth Fairy saw a chance for the revenge for which she had long been watching, and if things but fell out as she hoped, there was no wand nor spell that could restore to the King the priceless treasure that she purposed to destroy.

That night all was still and tranquil in the Palace of Burning Coals, but the next morning a sudden stir arose. Sooner than the Queen had been led to expect it a very wonderful thing had happened in the palace, for very early, with the dawning, a tiny baby Princess came to be the daughter of King Red Flame, and Queen Glow.

All was tumult and rejoicing. The Queen lay proud and happy on the satin pillows of her great golden bed, and looked and looked at the beautiful little Princess in the golden cradle at her side. Everyone was delighted at the coming of this Princess, but none seemed more so than the Earth Fairy herself. She stayed close by the Queen’s side, ready to anticipate her every want, and joined with the rest in her admiration of the baby Princess.

As soon as the child arrived, a messenger was sent in haste to recall King Red Flame to the palace, but before the man rode forth the Earth Fairy hastened down, and even as he was placing his foot in the stirrup, she told him that Queen Glow had decided not to send word to the King, as his business was too important to be interrupted. Instead the messenger was to ride off in exactly the opposite direction, and fetch back a golden cup which Queen Glow had ordered to be ready when she should send for it.

This was a false errand, but the Earth Fairy did not wish anyone to know that she had countermanded the Queen’s order, and if he were seen to set out on a journey, all would suppose that he had gone in search of the King.

Soon after the messenger had departed, the Queen said to the Earth Fairy, who was sitting beside her, “Send everybody away except yourself. I wish to rest. You yourself are so quiet, dear Earth Fairy, you will not disturb me, and you can watch over my little daughter, and see that no harm comes to her while I sleep.”

“I shall be only too happy, Your Highness, to do anything that pleases you,” answered the Earth Fairy sweetly.

So it was that the Queen, and the Earth Fairy, and the baby Princess were presently left alone together, and as Queen Glow turned on her side and closed her eyes, the Earth Fairy seated herself beside the cradle with a piece of embroidery.

Before Queen Glow fell asleep, she murmured softly, “To-morrow, Earth Fairy, King Red Flame will be here. Only think how happy he will be to see his little daughter!”

“Ah, Your Highness; what happiness!” purred the Earth Fairy from her chair beside the cradle.

Now the room grew very still, and Queen Glow fell into a profound slumber. Then the Earth Fairy laid down her embroidery, and rose softly from her chair. She tiptoed to the bed, bent over the Queen, and listened intently to her breathing, till she was certain that her mistress slept. Then she crept from the room, and was gone for some little time. When she returned, she brought, concealed in the folds of her dress, a bundle of the most powerful wands that the palace contained. She stood a moment and listened. The Queen and the Princess slept as before.

The Earth Fairy locked the door quickly, and made haste to open the bundle of wands. She took out the one that she knew to be the most potent, and carried it to the bedside of the Queen. It was serpent-shaped and slender, and as the Earth Fairy waved it above the Queen long green tongues of flame darted from its tip.

“Sleep,” whispered the Earth Fairy. “Sleep till I bid you waken.” At these words the Queen sank into an even deeper slumber than before.

Then the Earth Fairy turned to the defenseless Princess. With one sweep of the glimmering wand, she bound the cradle within a magic circle, so that she might weave a spell that no power could break.

But at the very moment that the first word of her charm fell from her lips there came a sudden knock at the door. The Earth Fairy was startled. She thrust the wand behind her, stole swiftly to the door, and laid her ear to the keyhole.

“Who is there?” she demanded in a low voice.

“It is I—Grey Smoke,” was the answer. “I bear a message to the Queen.”

“Queen Glow has given orders that she is not to be disturbed,” returned the Earth Fairy. “She sleeps, and I can awaken her for no one.”

Satisfied with the answer that she had received, Grey Smoke took her departure, and the wicked Earth Fairy returned to the cradle of the Princess. She had no more than drawn a second time her circle of enchantment, had but once waved her wand above the little Princess, than there came another, and a louder knock.

Furious that her spell should again be interrupted, the Earth Fairy threw down her wand, and hurried to the door. “Who is it now who comes to disturb the Queen?” she demanded sharply. “Has not everyone been told that her Majesty wishes to sleep?”

“It is I—Spark—the page,” was the reply. “My business is important. A golden necklace has just arrived for Her Highness the Princess, with orders to deliver it to the Queen at once.”

“Her Majesty is not to be disturbed for any purpose,” retorted the Earth Fairy. “Go away at once, and put it in a place of safety till she awakens.”

The page was not satisfied. “Since the Queen cannot be disturbed,” replied he, “you must yourself take it, and keep it until she awakens. Open the door, and I will give it to you.”

Obliged to control her anger, lest Spark should become suspicious that mischief was on foot, the Earth Fairy opened the door the merest crack, and received a marvelous golden box from his hands. At any other time she certainly would have turned it over curiously, and if no one had been by she would have peeped within, but now she was only anxious to guard the entrance to the room as well as she could, and to shut the door quickly, before the sharp eyes of Spark should see too much.

Careful as she was, however, she did not succeed in preventing him from catching a glimpse of the bundle of wands lying upon the Queen’s bed. The sight of them in this unexpected place excited his suspicions at once, but he was far too clever to say anything concerning them to the Earth Fairy. She would give him no satisfaction, he was sure. But he lost no time in going to Grey Smoke, who was his grandmother, and telling her what he had seen.

Grey Smoke looked very grave. She had never trusted Earth Fairy, and now a strange fear took possession of her. “I will go to the Queen at once,” declared she. “I—her old nurse, must see to it that no harm comes to her in the King’s absence.”

But swiftly as Grey Smoke hastened to the side of her mistress, she was too late, for as soon as the page had departed, the Earth Fairy snatched up her wand and rushed to the cradle of the Princess. Quickly she drew once more her magic circle. Quickly she waved the flaming wand three times above the sleeping child. “Become invisible!” she hissed—“Become invisible!”

Instantly the little Princess vanished from before her eyes, leaving only the golden cradle standing empty beside the Queen’s bed.

The Earth Fairy was filled with delight when she saw that she had accomplished what she had set out to do.

“Now I will awaken Queen Glow,” said she triumphantly. “She shall see that she is not the only one who can work spells.”

Though the form of the Princess had indeed vanished from the cradle, the Earth Fairy did not notice that a tender white flame was hovering above the place where the child had lain, for there was one thing that the wicked fairy, with all her knowledge of magic did not know: that is, that no Fire Fairy can ever be made entirely invisible. Though its form may vanish, its spirit is always seen as a fine flame.

The Earth Fairy, in her impatience to show the hapless Queen how she had revenged herself, had turned her back upon the cradle as soon as her spell was fully wrought, and was not aware of the presence of the tiny flame. She took up the wand with which to arouse the Queen. She leaned over her, and touched her with it.

“Awake!” she cried.

Immediately, as if she had only waited for the word, the Queen opened her eyes, and saw with astonishment and amaze the evil triumph written upon the face of the Earth Fairy. Instantly she started from her pillows, and glanced in the direction of the cradle. She saw that it was empty, and saw the tiny white flame flickering where the little Princess had been. Then her eyes fell upon the bundle of wands, and she knew what had been done to her helpless child.

She gave a great cry that rang through the room. Grey Smoke, hurrying down the palace hall, heard it and hastened still faster. Without waiting to knock, without even trying the door, she wound herself like a thin gray thread through the keyhole, was on the other side of the door in a moment, and stood beside her mistress in her own shape.

The Queen lay back among her satin pillows, quite without life. Grief at that what had happened to her beloved child had broken her heart.

The Earth Fairy and her wands were nowhere to be seen, for as soon as the Queen had cried out, she had made haste to escape by another door that led to a distant part of the palace.

Grey Smoke was filled with horror at what she saw. At first she was unable to move, or even to think. But she recovered herself quickly. Something must be done. She rushed to the door, tore it open, and called aloud for help.

Spark, who was lingering in the hall, came at once, eager to learn what she had discovered, but his grandmother’s face showed him that it was no time for questions.

“Go quickly, Spark,” commanded she. “Bring every fairy in the palace. Something terrible has happened. Bring everyone, but especially the Earth Fairy; on no account must she be allowed to escape.”

Away flashed Spark in hot haste, and did his errand so well, that presently the bedroom of the Queen was filled with anxious fairies. Under the direction of old Grey Smoke, everything known to fairy lore was done to revive Queen Glow, but nothing was of the least avail. Knowing but too well, by the flame hovering above the cradle, what had happened to the Princess, a band of the most trustworthy and faithful fairies set themselves as a guard about her, lest the one who had done this wicked deed might seek to approach and do further harm, if that were possible.

It was not until all the other fairies were gathered in the room that the Earth Fairy appeared, with Spark close at her side, guarding her lest she should try to escape. But the Earth Fairy made no attempt to do this. When she entered the room she seemed to be overwhelmed by surprise at what she saw, and to be the most grief-stricken of them all.

Grey Smoke pointed an accusing finger at her. “Wicked one,” she cried, “It is you who have done this to our Queen, and to our little Princess. It is you who must pay the penalty when King Red Flame returns, and finds what you have done.”

The Earth Fairy interrupted her indignantly, and declared with a storm of sobs and tears that she was absolutely innocent, and that when she had left the room to put away the wands the Queen had asked her to bring, that all had been well; the Queen had been sleeping quietly in her bed, and the child had been in the cradle by her side.

“Say no more,” commanded Grey Smoke. “No one believes you for a moment. No one else would have wrought evil upon our dear Queen.”

In spite of everything that the Earth Fairy said to try to prove her innocence, she was taken away under a close guard of Fire Fairies, to be given over to the keepers of the prison.

Around the cradle of the baby Princess a ceaseless watch was kept. The Fire Fairies who were appointed to guard it kept their eyes fixed upon the white and flickering flame, awaiting the return of King Red Flame.

CHAPTER III

NOW all this time King Red Flame knew nothing of the happiness and the misfortune that had come to his queen. He finished the business that had taken him forth as quickly as he could, and then, in haste, he turned his horse toward home. But it was by another road that he returned to the palace, and it was for this reason that he missed the messengers that Grey Smoke had sent to seek him.

Three days had passed since he had bade farewell to the Queen, and now he was soon to see her again. Light-heartedly he rode along, singing a snatch of a song that the Queen loved, and more than once he took from his pouch a beautiful flashing necklace that he was bringing as a present to his wife. As he held it up in the glowing light it shone and flashed as only magic can. He smiled with delight as he thought of the pleasure it would give her.

So full of joy was he that when he reached the palace gate he failed to notice the sad faces and tear-stained eyes of the fairies that came out to meet him, and take his horse. Only as he hurried up the palace stairs did he realize that the place seemed quieter than usual.

But presently, drawing still nearer to the chamber of Queen Glow, the sound of the wailing of many voices smote on his ears, and the nearer he drew to her chamber, the louder it became. Fear suddenly awoke in his heart, and drove his feet swiftly forward. He rushed to the Queen’s door, flung it wide open, and stood for a moment looking in. Then he hurried to her bedside, the fairies shrinking away before him to right and left.

There upon the bed lay the Queen, as fair and white as some beautiful figure carved in ivory.

With a loud cry King Red Flame fell on his knees beside the bed, and clasping the lifeless hand of the Queen in his, he called to her, beseeching her to look at him, to wake, to speak. It seemed indeed as though he were unable to believe that she could no longer hear him.

At last, laying down her hand, he raised himself slowly to his feet. “Tell me,” he cried, “how has this happened, and what has brought this terrible misfortune upon our land?”

For a moment all were still. Then Grey Smoke stepped forth from among the rest. “Your Majesty,” said she, “it is the work of the Earth Fairy. It is she who has revenged herself thus.” Then briefly she told him all that had happened since he had ridden away.

Silently the King listened, too stunned for word or thought. There was a pause, and then Grey Smoke laid a gentle hand upon his sleeve, and spoke again: “Your Highness,” said she respectfully, “do not forget that the baby Princess needs you, and that she who has wrought all this evil is still free and unpunished.”

At that King Red Flame turned his head, and looked at the golden cradle. There above it hovered the tiny white flame, the only visible form of the fairy Princess.

“Alas! Alas!” mourned Grey Smoke at his ear, “that this should be all that is left of the loveliest princess that the Land of the Fire Fairies has ever seen!”

The King aroused himself. “It is too late,” he cried, “to bring my dear Queen back to life, but at least as far as the Princess is concerned the guilty one shall repair her mischief. Bring the Earth Fairy to me, and after she has restored my daughter, she shall receive the punishment she has deserved.”

At once several fairies hastened away to seek for the Earth Fairy, and soon returned guarding her in their midst. She was weeping bitterly. As soon as her captors released her, she threw herself at the King’s feet. “Alas! Alas!” she wailed, “the Queen is dead, and they accuse me of being the cause. Though why, I cannot understand.”

“You know why they accuse you,” answered the King sternly. “I am but too well assured that it is you who have brought this grief upon us all. Now it is for you to break the spell you have laid upon the Princess, and after that we will consider what punishment is fitting for such a one as you.”

“The Princess!” cried the Earth Fairy, “I left her here in the cradle, but it appears that harm overtook her also.”

“Enough!” cried the King. “Yours is the spell that has changed the Princess to a flame. Yours must be the spell to restore her to her shape.”

“But I know nothing of spells,” exclaimed the Earth Fairy desperately.

Grey Smoke started forward vehemently. “What then were you doing with the wands that Spark saw when you opened the door?” she demanded sharply.

The Earth Fairy flushed deeply, but answered without hesitation. “Before my mistress fell asleep, she bade me bring her a certain bundle of wands that she wished to look at. I brought them, as she bade me, and she looked at them, taking some in her hands, and putting others aside. After that she gave them back to me, and bade me return them. While I was still busy putting them away, these Fire Fairies came and seized me roughly, crying that the Queen was dead, and that I was to blame. But listen—who was it that accused me? It was Grey Smoke who forced her way into the chamber of the Queen in my absence—it is Grey Smoke who says these things about me. How do you know that it is not Grey Smoke herself who has done this deed? What more likely than, having done it, she should try to throw the blame upon another?”

“Do not dare to accuse my good Grey Smoke. There is none whom I trust more than I do her,” retorted the King angrily. “Had we but chosen her as the Queen’s attendant, this grief would not have come upon us. Nothing that you can say will ever make me believe that you are not guilty. But we are wasting time. You have been brought to break the spell.”

Stubbornly, again and again, the Earth Fairy repeated that she knew nothing of spells, either to make them or break them.

“Take her away,” commanded the King at last. “Let her be kept in a dungeon, away from everyone, until she consents to restore the Princess to her true form.” In spite of the Earth Fairy’s cries and struggles she was dragged away, to be kept securely under lock and key, until she was ready to obey the King’s command.

This done, King Red Flame had a golden box brought that contained the very finest wands that he possessed, and tried with all the skill he knew to break the spell cast over his daughter; but it was quite in vain—the white flame still fluttered above the cradle, and the baby Princess still remained invisible. The King was filled with despair, for he knew of nothing more that he could do to break the Earth Fairy’s spell. Overcome with grief he turned to leave the room.

And now a strange thing happened. The tiny white flame, leaving the cradle, followed after him very timidly, but very steadily, as if the fairy Princess knew him, and longed to be close by him, in the shelter of his love and protection.

“Look, look, Your Majesty,” cried Grey Smoke, “the little Princess follows you!”

The King was touched to the heart. He commanded that the Princess’s cradle should be brought to his own chamber, and there sitting beside it, he rested his head sadly upon his hand, and pondered deeply, while still the white flame hovered quivering and flashing softly above the cradle.

Suddenly there came a low knock at the door, and Grey Smoke’s voice was heard, asking if she might enter.

“Come in, Grey Smoke,” replied the King, and as the door opened, and the old nurse came in, he added, “Let us see whether you cannot suggest some way to help my poor little daughter. For me—I have no thought left.” He sighed heavily as he spoke, and from the white flame above the cradle there seemed to float a faint answering sigh.

“Your Majesty, do not despair,” counseled Grey Smoke. “It is true that the spell cast upon the Princess is a powerful one, but I am sure that in time everything will turn out well. I have been to see the Wise One, and he has told me that only the Veil of Disenchantment that lies hidden in his magic chest can break the spell that rests upon the Princess.”

The King sprang to his feet eagerly. “There is, then, some magic thing that can break this enchantment?” he cried. “Let us go at once and fetch it.”

“That is impossible,” replied Grey Smoke. “Only the prince who will one day come—he who is fated to win the Princess as his bride, can see this Veil. Only in his hands is it potent to restore her.”

King Red Flame shook his head in doubt. “My good nurse,” he groaned, “what hope can there be that such a prince would ever love my poor daughter, who is nothing but a quivering flame?”

“Is there no charm that you can bestow upon her, so that even though she remains a flame it will win his heart, and make him long to set her free?” inquired Grey Smoke.

Again the King sank into deep thought, and as he sat there silently the soft cry of the flame again sounded in his ears.

“Her voice!” cried the King. “Though her form has been taken from her, her voice still remains! Could I but make it the most beautiful voice in the world, it might draw all hearts to her, even though she should indeed remain forever invisible. Had I but a wand that had not already failed—but, as you know, I have already tried with every wand in the palace to restore the Princess to her true form, and as you also know, no wand that has once failed can be used the second time.”

“Your Majesty, the time has now come for me to tell you something that up to now has been known to no living soul except myself. When your mother died, she left in my care a wand more powerful than any other in the palace. This wand I was to keep until such desperate need arose as could be met by no other magic known to any of us. It is called the Wand of Good Enchantment. The time for you to use it has now come.” So saying Dame Grey Smoke drew from under her long cloak a faded silken case, and laid it in his hands.

Eagerly the King opened the case, and drew from it a slender wand, decked with snow-white feathers. The moment he touched it, the thrill that passed through his fingers told him that it was full of magic. His eyes gleamed with joy.

“Ah, Grey Smoke,” he cried, “might it not be possible that this wand has the power that none of the others possessed to break the spell, and give me back my daughter? Shall we not try to restore her at once?”

“Nay, nay, Your Majesty! Do not venture!” begged Grey Smoke anxiously. “Trust to what the Wise One has told me. As yet no power can restore the Princess. Do not destroy the magic of this wand in a useless attempt. Rather use it to bestow the gift that will win the heart of the prince who is to save her.”

“You are right,” agreed the King sadly. “The risk is too great. It shall be as you say.”

Taking the Wand of Good Enchantment, he rose, and stood looking down into the cradle of the little Princess. Waving it to and fro above the tiny flame, he said tenderly, “My daughter, by the magic of this wand, I bestow upon you a voice of such marvelous sweetness that all who hear it shall be drawn to you, and it shall in the end win for you the love of that prince who alone can save you.”

The words were no sooner uttered than forth from the flame came a gentle sound of exquisite music, stirring the heart.

Hearing it, tears of joy rose to the eyes of King Red Flame. His mother’s wand, left to him for his hour of need, had not failed him.

CHAPTER IV

DAY followed day, weeks and years slipped by, and the tiny dancing flame that was the spirit of the baby Princess grew larger and more brilliant year by year. The Fire Fairies called her Princess White Flame, and regarded her with the greatest respect and love, but pity and sympathy were always mingled with that respect.

The story of the magic Veil was known, and many princes had heard the voice of the Princess, and had seen her passing as a fine white flame. Many would gladly have won her as a bride; many had sought the Wise One—many had peered into his ancient chest, but none had been able to grasp, or even to see the wondrous Veil that alone could restore the Princess to her fairy form.

King Red Flame loved his daughter dearly, and was never so happy as when she fluttered gently from place to place with him, or hovered in the air by his side when he sat at rest; yet always he longed to see her face—to have her visible presence.

One evening as they were moving together in the garden, watching the red and yellow light that came and went among the fire-lilies that bordered the winding paths, the King asked her tenderly, “My child, have you not yet seen a prince whom you can love?”

White Flame laughed softly. “No, there is no one. Why do you ask, dear father?”

King Red Flame sighed. “Because it is only a prince who loves you, and whom you can love in return, who can free you from the spell.”

White Flame stole closer to her father’s side, and whispered in his ear, “I have not yet seen anyone, dear father, for whom I would wish to be more than the glancing flame that they see me now.”

Again the King sighed. “Ah, well, my daughter, the time may come. But remember that until it does, your face is hidden from me also.”

CHAPTER V

NOT far from the Land of the Fire Fairies there is another wonderland. It is called the Kingdom of Light. Here, though the people are fairies, their magic is different from the magic of the fairies of fire and flame. But it is not less marvelous and beautiful.

The ruler of this country had a son whose name was Prince Radiance. The Prince was tall and strong and handsome. His soft red suit of velvet, his scarlet cap with long red feather that tossed and floated above his yellow hair became him well. So very bright with hope and courage were his eyes, so very friendly was his smile, that wherever he appeared the fairies cried to one another, “Ah, here comes Prince Radiance, bringing happiness and cheer!”

The young Prince was now of an age to seek a bride, but the King was too fond of his son to wish him to marry anyone whom he did not love with all his heart. Many princesses and beautiful ladies would have been glad to be chosen by him, but the young Prince cared for none of them. And although the wise men of the country came often to their King to urge the Prince to take a wife, the old King always replied, “Not yet, not yet. My son must make his own choice, and in his own way.”

So time passed, until one day Prince Radiance asked his father’s permission to visit the Land of the Fire Fairies. He had heard of their strange magic, and wished to behold it with his own eyes.

The King gave him leave, and bidding his father farewell, the Prince set out, quite alone, as was his wish.

By traveling swiftly, he soon reached the boundary of his father’s kingdom, and crossed into the Land of the Fire Fairies. Now the Fire Fairies have always been friendly to the Fairies of Light, so the Prince was made welcome wherever he went.

The magic of the Fire Fairies charmed and delighted him. He stood and watched them rear their shining palaces, saw them deck the walls with glittering jewels, or wreathe them with flaming vines by the mere wave of a wand. He wandered from place to place, learning many new and wonderful things.

And all the time he drew nearer and nearer to the Palace of Burning Coals, but as yet he had heard nothing, had seen nothing of the Princess White Flame.

At last he came to a garden, whose open gate showed him bright trees rustling in the breeze and bushes thick-set with flame-colored blossoms, showed him paths that wound away into stretches of still greater loveliness and bloom. He had come to the garden of the Princess.

He entered, and stood a moment, to see if any would come to stop his progress; but all was still in the garden, and not a living creature was anywhere in sight. He chose the path of greatest beauty, but had not gone far upon it when he became aware of a voice singing in the distance, a voice that drew nearer and more near, until the air around him was filled with its exquisite music. Entranced, rooted to the spot, Prince Radiance listened. Never had he heard so wondrous a voice. It was as though it drew his very heart from his breast to follow it.

So spellbound was he, that at first he thought only of the voice, but presently he was filled with an ardent desire to know from whom it came. But even as he looked eagerly about him for the singer, the voice began to recede from him, and to fade away among the tree-tops. Then it was, that glancing upward, he saw a pure and pearl-white flame, and from the flame came the magic voice that had so stirred his heart.

Awaking from his trance of wonder and delight, the Prince sought to follow it; even as he did so the flame was lost to sight. He pursued it in the direction in which he had seen it pass, but in vain.

Still the Prince went on in haste, seeking someone who could tell him where it might be found. The faint cracking of boughs struck on his ear, and going to the place from whence it came, he saw a Fire Fairy, pruning a glittering shrub.

“Tell me,” he cried, “where shall I find the flame that was singing yonder, the flame with the wonderful voice?”

The fairy paused in his work, and regarded the Prince curiously. “Can it be,” inquired he slowly, “that you have not heard of the Princess White Flame?”

“I saw no Princess,” answered Radiance, “but I heard a voice of magical beauty that seemed to come from a pure white flame.”

“Ah,” replied the Fire Fairy, “that is indeed our dear Princess. A flame she is, and a flame she must remain, until that prince comes at last who alone can set her free.” Then he told Prince Radiance the story of the spell that had been cast upon her in her cradle; told him of the wondrous Veil that lay hidden in the Wise One’s ancient chest; told him also of the many princes who had vainly sought to see it, that they might deliver the Princess.

“I, too, must go,” exclaimed Prince Radiance. “Who knows but I may be more fortunate than they. Tell me at once where this Wise One is to be found.”

Filled with the hope that this at last might be the true prince, the fairy told him exactly how to find the Wise One’s hut, and the Prince hurried away.

He had not gone far, however, when what was his joy to hear once more, soft and faint at first, but clearer and stronger as he proceeded, that voice that had so charmed him a little while before.

Eagerly, scarce daring to breathe, lest he should startle the Princess, and drive her from him, the Prince hastened toward her.

She was poised at the foot of a great fire-oak, her flame seeming to wax or wane as the music rose or fell.

So silently the Prince advanced that he stood beside her before she was aware.

“Princess! Princess White Flame!” he cried low, “Here am I, Prince Radiance, come to serve you. Say that you are willing that it should be so.”

At the sound of his voice, the singing of the Princess ceased suddenly. Flashing and trembling at the unexpected appearance of this stranger, she seemed about to take flight.

“Nay, do not leave me,” he besought her. “Tell me, rather, that I too may seek to deliver you from the cruel spell that binds you thus.”

So did his face glow with the love that her voice had awakened in his heart, so did his own voice thrill with tenderness, that a soft and roseate flush passed over the whiteness of the flame, as if in answer. Yet she spoke no word.

“I know what I must do,” pursued the Prince. “A fairy has told me. Even now I was on my way to seek the Wise One, and happily to bring forth the mystic Veil. Do you bid me go?” He paused, and waited for the Princess to speak.

“Here am I, Prince Radiance, come to serve you.”

“Yes,” she whispered softly, “go. But ah—if you should not see this Veil—what then?”

“Then—ah then,” he answered quickly, “I will return to you, and gaze upon your pure and beauteous flame, and listen to your magic voice, till love shall make keen the eyes that were too dull before. Say that you will await me here!”

Again a rosy flush overspread the whiteness of the Princess. “I promise you,” she said. “When you return, you will find me waiting.”

Overjoyed at so gracious an answer, Prince Radiance drew still nearer to the glowing flame. “Ah, my beloved Princess,” he cried, “something tells me that I shall not fail. I shall return indeed, and in my hand shall be the Veil that will set you free. Farewell, then, till I come again.”

Then he left her, a gleaming whiteness at the foot of the great fire-oak, and went his way as the fairy had directed him.

It was not long until he arrived at the house of the Wise One. A queer little scarlet hut, it was, set in the midst of a thicket of flaming bushes, with a bright red path that led straight to the door. The path was worn and hollowed out by many feet. From the pointed chimney, and the quaintly peaked roof, down all the walls to the very ground, the hut was covered with magic signs that no one but the Wise One himself understood.

Boldly the Prince approached the door, and knocked. A voice bade him enter. The Prince obeyed, and found himself in the presence of an old, old fairy, who was sitting before a table, poring over a great Book of Wisdom.

It was the Wise One. He wore a long white beard, that swept down his scarlet robe almost to his feet. A curious border of fairy letters ran about the hem of his robe, and as he rose slowly to greet his guest, they flashed and moved as if with life. A wave of magic flowed from them toward the Prince.

“Welcome, Prince Radiance,” said the Wise One, “I know your errand. Come, let us see if you will be able to succeed where others have failed.”

“Ah, that it may be so!” exclaimed the Prince, following the Wise One, who led him to a chest that stood in a corner of the hut. A very ancient chest it was, carved deeply with magic inscriptions that age had had no power to dim. Huge hinges held it firm; a huge lock fastened it.

The Prince looked down upon it with eager hope. He trembled a little as the Wise One drew from his breast a key, and fitted it in the lock. Slowly the key turned. Slowly the lid rose of itself.

“Look within,” commanded the Wise One, “and tell me what you see.”

In breathless suspense, Prince Radiance bent over the chest, hoping—fearing—so much hung upon his power to behold what lay therein. The light was dim, and the chest deep. For a moment he saw no more than what looked like a film of ash upon the bottom of the chest, and through his heart went a stab of pain and disappointment.

Then, suddenly, his sight seemed to clear. “The Veil! The mystic Veil!” he cried. “There! There it lies! I see it! Oh, I see!”

“Look again,” said the Wise One. “Do you see nothing more?”

Again Prince Radiance bent above the chest; again he peered earnestly into its depths. Dimly discerned beside the Veil lay a sword in its scabbard, and close beside it a soft grey pouch.

“A sword is there, and a curious pouch,” he answered.

“You have seen what none have seen before,” replied the Wise One. “The Veil is for the Princess, the Sword and the Pouch for you. Take them, for the time will come, before your task is done, when you will need them all. Take out the Veil.”

Gently the Prince lifted the magic Veil from out the chest. As it rose, it floated out and out, and seemed to fill the hut, like a mist for fineness, like a web for strength.

The Wise One went to a cabinet, and drew from it a tiny golden casket. He returned to the Prince, and said, “Place the Veil inside.”

“How is that possible?” inquired Prince Radiance.

“You have but to press the corner of the Veil, and it will become small enough to fit into the tiniest box. You have but to lift it from the box, and shake it out, and it will become as you behold it now. Do as I have said, and you will see.”

The Prince obeyed, and presently the Veil lay in the golden casket. The Wise One handed him a golden key. “Lock it, and fasten it securely within your robe where none can rob you of it,” he told him. “On its safety all your hopes depend.”

Gravely Prince Radiance did as the ancient fairy bade him.

“Lift out the Sword,” directed the Wise One, “and draw it from its scabbard.”

Again the Prince obeyed. As he laid his hand upon the hilt it was as if the Sword answered to his touch, and leapt from its scabbard, a flashing flame of blue, that shed a dazzling light on all around it.

“It is the Sword of Flames,” the Wise One told him, “a powerful weapon—potent in your hands alone. It will serve you well. See that you do not lose it. See that you do not use it until its day comes.”

Prince Radiance looked at him in wonder. “How shall I know the day?” asked he.

“When the day comes you will need none to tell you,” was the answer. “And now take the Pouch—the third and last gift.”

The Prince replaced the Sword of Flames in its sheath, and bound it on. Then stooping he took out the Pouch.

“Open it,” said the Wise One.

Prince Radiance did so, and saw that it was divided within into two compartments.

“This is a magic pouch,” the Wise One instructed him. “Whatever you place in it will never fail of its supply. It will help you out of many a danger, out of many a difficulty.”

The Prince thought deeply. “What shall I place within it that will have such power?” he asked at last.

The Wise One smiled. “That is easy enough to choose,” he answered. “In the one side place a burning coal; put in the other a handful of ash. Nothing else could possibly be so unfailingly useful wherever you may go.”

Surprised at such an answer, Prince Radiance gazed at him without obeying.

“It is as I have told you,” the ancient one assured him. “You will find it so.”

Then the Prince stooped to the fire that was burning on the hearth, and filled the Pouch as he had been directed, and fastened it to his side, the Wise One watching him meanwhile with a kindly smile.

When Prince Radiance would have thanked him for the fairy gifts, he dismissed him with a wave of the hand. “Go,” he said, “and all good fortune attend you. If you but do your part, the magic of the Veil will be potent to break the Earth Fairy’s spell, and restore the Princess White Flame to her fairy form.”

CHAPTER VI

FAR from the kingdom of King Red Flame, in the dismal country that lies along the Chimney Back are many dark and mischievous fairies, and the most mischievous of them all was Flying Soot.

He was a great traveler, and employed himself in flitting from place to place collecting news, and telling it again wherever he thought that it would do the most harm. Most of his time was spent in the Land of Evil Fairies where he had many friends who gave him welcome for the sake of what he had to tell. But now and again he crossed secretly into King Red Flame’s dominions, in the hope that he might pick up some information that he could use. He always took great care, however, not to allow himself to be seen by any of the Fire Fairies.

Upon one of these excursions he overheard some Fire Fairies repeating the story of the enchantment of Princess White Flame, and learned at the same time about the Earth Fairy’s imprisonment. After that he could not rest until he had found the way to the place where she was confined.

During all the years that the Earth Fairy had been locked in her prison, she had known nothing of what went on outside of it. She neither knew of the wondrous Veil in the Wise One’s ancient chest, nor that it was expected that a Prince would some day come who would set the Princess free.

Because of her long imprisonment her hatred of King Red Flame burned all the more intensely, but deprived as she now was of every means of working magic, she could neither escape, nor wreak further vengeance upon her master.

One day, as she sat in a corner of her cell nursing her anger, she heard her fairy keeper come to her door and try it carefully to see that it was still securely fastened. Then his footsteps retreated, and she knew that he had gone away with his companions for a short rest under the trees as was his daily custom.

Hardly had the sound of his footsteps faded away when a faint rustle outside the door caught her ear, and a voice that was unknown to her softly called her name.

Making no noise she crept to the keyhole and peered through. A figure stood near it, wrapped in a long black mantle, with a black velvet cap pulled low over his forehead. From his face she knew that he was an evil fairy, but he was a stranger, and fearing that he might be an enemy she made no answer.

Her visitor was not discouraged. He called to her again, and told her that he was Flying Soot. Finding that she still made no reply, he assured her that he was a friend, and began at once to give her what news he could of King Red Flame and the Princess. At that the Earth Fairy answered him willingly, and harkened with eagerness to what he had to say. They talked for some time, but as soon as the keeper was heard returning, Flying Soot scurried off. After that he came from time to time to see her and bring the news, and the knowledge that the Princess was still but a flame, always filled the Earth Fairy with wicked satisfaction.

On the day that Prince Radiance found and talked with Princess White Flame in the palace garden, Flying Soot passed near them on his way to the Earth Fairy’s prison.

Hearing their voices he drew near stealthily, and listened to them. As soon as Prince Radiance departed, away rushed the mischief-maker to the Earth Fairy. It was the hour when the keeper was absent, so that he flew straight to the door without pause.

“Earth Fairy! Earth Fairy!” he called, placing his lips to the keyhole. “Come close and listen; I have great news!”

The Earth Fairy sprang to the door at once. “What is it?” demanded she, “Tell me quickly.”

“A Prince has come,” he told her. “A Prince who swears to break the power of your spell.”

From the Earth Fairy’s lips burst a laugh of scorn. “Let him try as he may,” she declared, “he will never succeed.”

“Be not too sure of that,” warned Flying Soot. “This Prince spoke with the Princess of a magic Veil, which he has but to cast over her to restore her at once to her true form.”

For a moment the Earth Fairy was quite speechless with astonishment and dismay; then she cried aloud, “A Veil! A magic Veil that will set the Princess free!”

“Yes,” replied her companion, “Already the Prince has gone to fetch it from where it lies hidden in the chest of the Wise One. Soon he will return to where the Princess awaits him in the garden, and presently, my dear Earth Fairy, the spell that you wrought with such care will be a thing of naught.”

“No, no!” screamed the Earth Fairy, “Never, never shall this be! I must escape. You must help me to escape at once, and prevent it!”

Flying Soot shook his head doubtfully.

“How can I enable you to escape from a prison so strong, and so securely locked?”

“It takes but a key to open the strongest lock,” insisted the Earth Fairy. “You must overpower the keeper. You must obtain the key—and let me out.”

In the beginning Flying Soot was unwilling to try, but when the Earth Fairy presently spoke of rewarding him for his services, he agreed to do as she wished.

“First you must release me,” commanded she. “Then you must hasten to the Palace of Burning Coals, and bring forth my bundle of wands from a hiding place that I will tell you of. When you have brought them to me, I will bestow one of them upon you as your reward.”

Now Flying Soot knew well that a Soot Fairy can work no magic with the wand of a Fire Fairy unless he is taught its secret. “Promise that you will surely show me how to use it,” said he, “and I will do as you ask.”

“Yes, yes, of course,” agreed the Earth Fairy impatiently. “Only be swift about your task, and the secret shall be yours.”

Satisfied with her reply, Flying Soot went his way. In the darkness of her cell the Earth Fairy waited, scarcely able to breathe, so fearful was she that the Prince might return from the Wise One and disenchant the Princess before she had time to interfere.

It was but a little while, however, before she heard the stealthy footsteps of Flying Soot returning. It was but a moment more till she heard the great key turn in the lock, and saw the door flung wide open.

“Come out quickly,” whispered her deliverer. “Your keepers, blinded with soot, grope hither and thither utterly bewildered. Together we must contrive to shove them into your prison, and lock them up in your place. After that you will be able to go on your way in safety.”

Instantly, the Earth Fairy sprang to his help, and so skillfully did the two evil fairies jostle the keepers against one another and guide them to the prison door, that soon they were lodged in the Earth Fairy’s cell. Then the key was turned upon them, and they were left to grope clumsily about in the darkness, while the Earth Fairy and her companion hurried to the safe shelter of a thicket. There the Earth Fairy told Flying Soot where she had hidden her wands, and bade him haste to bring them to her. When he had departed upon his errand the Earth Fairy huddled low among the bushes to await his coming with what patience she might.

In spite of the years that had passed since the Earth Fairy had hidden her wands, none had discovered the place where they lay. So crafty a messenger was Flying Soot that he obtained them unseen, and without difficulty, and soon returned to where the Earth Fairy was concealed. He laid the bundle in her outstretched hand.

Trembling with anxiety, the Earth Fairy opened the case, and ran her fingers over the wands to test their power. The Green Wand shot forth emerald fire from its tip as she took it from among the rest. It was as full of magic as on that far-off day when with it she had so cruelly enchanted the baby Princess.

With covetous eyes Flying Soot looked upon it. “Ah!” cried he, “that is the wand of my desire. That shall be my well-earned reward.” He stretched his hand to take it from her, but the Earth Fairy waved him back with an imperious gesture.

“Touch not the Green Wand,” she commanded. “To do so is to destroy yourself.” She laid it back in its place and took out in it its stead a small dark wand. This she extended to him saying, “Here is the one which is for you.” With indignant words he would have spurned it, but she checked his complaints abruptly. “It will serve you well, if you but know its secret,” she told him, “See—in this its magic dwells.” With a last envious look at the Green Wand, Flying Soot cast aside his anger, and watched her narrowly while she showed him how to use her gift. Still a little ungraciously he received it, and hid it in his mantle.

The Earth Fairy stopping for no farewell, gathered up her bundle of wands, and hurried to the spot where Flying Soot had told her the Princess awaited the coming of Prince Radiance. There at the foot of the great fire oak she saw her, flushing and paling with glorious light. She was thinking of the wonderful happiness that had come to her, but suddenly she became aware that a stranger was approaching. Looking up she beheld the Earth Fairy.

Quickly the Earth Fairy advanced till she stood before the Princess, and without waiting to be addressed, announced her errand.

“Your Highness,” she said, “I am a messenger from Prince Radiance. He cannot return to you as he had expected; but he has sent me to ask you to let me guide you to where he waits for you.”

Princess White Flame regarded her doubtfully. “You are a stranger to me,” she replied. “How may I know that you are in truth a messenger from the Prince?”