"Now hasten away to warmer countries," said the Snow Queen " go and look black craters tops burning mountains, Etna and Vesuvius, called,- them look white, which good , and lemons grapes " And away flew the Snow Queen, leaving little Kay quite alone great hall miles in length; so he sat and looked at his pieces of ice, and was thinking so deeply, and sat so still, that supposed frozen

Just moment it happened that little Gerda came great door castle Cutting winds were raging around her, but she offered up prayer winds sank down as were going to sleep; and she went on till she came large empty hall, and caught sight of Kay; she knew him directly; she flew to him and threw her arms round his neck, and held him fast, while she exclaimed, "Kay, dear little Kay, found you at last "

But he sat quite still, stiff and cold

Then little Gerda wept hot tears, which fell breast, and penetrated into his heart, and thawed the lump of ice, and washed away the little piece of glass which had stuck there Then he looked at her, and she sang-

"Roses bloom and cease , But the Christ-child see "

Then Kay burst into tears, and he wept so splinter of glass swam out eye Then he recognized Gerda, and said, joyfully, "Gerda, dear little Gerda, where been all , and where have I been ? " And he looked all around him, and said, "How cold , and how large and empty it all looks," and he clung to Gerda, and she laughed and wept for joy so pleasing them pieces of ice even danced about; and were tired and went to lie down, they formed themselves letters word which the Snow Queen had said find out before be his own master, the whole world and pair of new skates Then Gerda kissed his cheeks, became blooming; and she kissed his eyes, shone like her own; she kissed his hands feet, and then he became quite healthy and cheerful The Snow Queen might come home now when she pleased, for there stood his certainty of freedom, word she wanted, written in shining letters of ice

Then they took hand, and went forth great palace of ice They spoke grandmother, and roses roof, and went winds were at rest, sun burst forth arrived bush with red berries, there stood the reindeer waiting , and he had brought another young reindeer , whose udders were full, children drank her warm milk and kissed her mouth Then they carried Kay and Gerda first Finland woman, where they warmed themselves thoroughly hot room, and she gave them directions about their journey home Next they went Lapland woman, who had made some new clothes , and put their sleighs Both the reindeer ran by their side, and followed them as far boundaries country, where the first green leaves were budding And here they took leave two reindeer Lapland woman, and all said- Farewell Then the birds began to twitter, forest too was full of green young leaves; and out of it came beautiful horse, which Gerda remembered, for one which had drawn the golden coach young girl was riding upon it, with shining red cap on her head, and pistols in her belt It little robber-maiden, who had got tired of staying at home; she was going first north, and suit her, she meant some other part world She knew Gerda directly, and Gerda remembered her: joyful meeting

" fine fellow gadding about ," said she to little Kay, " like whether you deserve that should go end world you "

But Gerda patted her cheeks, and asked prince and princess

" gone to foreign countries," said the robber-girl

" crow ? " asked Gerda

"Oh, the crow is dead," she replied; "his tame sweetheart is now widow, and wears bit of black worsted round her leg She mourns very pitifully, but all stuff But now tell me how you managed him back "

Then Gerda and Kay told her all

"Snip, snap, snare ! it's all right at last," said the robber-girl

Then she took both their hands, and promised that if ever she should pass town, call and pay them visit And then she rode away wide world But Gerda and Kay went hand-in-hand towards home; and advanced, spring appeared more lovely with its green verdure and its beautiful flowers they recognized the large town where they lived, tall steeples churches, sweet bells were ringing merry peal entered it, and found their way grandmother's door They went upstairs little room, where all looked just as it used The old clock was going "tick, tick," hands pointed time of day, but passed door room they perceived were both grown up, and become man and woman The roses out roof were in full bloom, and peeped in window; and there stood the little chairs, they had sat when children; and Kay and Gerda seated themselves each on their own chair, and held hand, while the cold empty grandeur Snow Queen's palace vanished from their memories like painful dream The grandmother sat in God's bright sunshine, and she read aloud Bible, "Except ye become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter kingdom of God " And Kay and Gerda looked into 's eyes, and all at once understood the words old song,

"Roses bloom and cease , But the Christ-child see "

both sat there, grown up, yet children at heart; and summer,- warm, beautiful summer

THE END