Page 603 - Child's own book

she could sec a long, long, passage* e< Follow that star, my
childsaid the lady, t( it will guide you to your home ’ I can
accompany you no further.1' Maia gave the lady a parting
kiss, and ran along the passage as fast as she could : at the end
she found she was in the midst of a wood, and the only thing
ahc fertew was the evening star shining calmly down upon her.
Presently she heard a rustling amoug the hushes, and out
jumped her brother Harry. fS Are you my dear sister Maia? ”
cried he.— Oh yes, Harry, and I am so glad you have found
me/* replied the little girl.-—-tc Where* where did you get that
beautiful dress shining with stars,” asked H arry; “ and what
have you m your hand?"— “ Let us go home,” answered
Maia, u and I will tell you all my story/'—and soon they
reached their cottage. There, to the amazement of her dear
father and mother, and Harry* Maia told them of her fall into
the well, of the kind good lady, of the beautiful house, and of
the many children. Her parents could scarcely believe what
they heard ; hut when they saw the beautiful gauze dress, and
the basket of green stone, then they knew it must have been
as she said. Her mother put the dress and the basket care­
fully away, and only on certain occasions were they ever
brought out; but Maia remembered the kind lady and the
merry children for ever afterwards, and never again was too
curious t