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THE WATER-KELPIE.
65

When she had reached the top, the earth closed again, and she was left seated upon a rock; and the light of the sun was so dazzling, that she hid her face in her hands.

Thus she sat for a long time, not knowing whither to go, till a young man chanced to come that way, who said, "What do you here?

She raised her face at his words, and could not speak, so great was her surprise at the beauty of the strange youth. He, for his part, could not help smiling; for she was as yellow as an orange; and an uglier little creature he had never beheld: but he said in a kind voice,—

"Come with me to my mother's house, and you shall be refreshed with cake and wine."

She arose to follow him; and, as she walked, a bright shower of gold-dust sprinkled the earth at every step.