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The Story of Vain Lamorna.

her about the mark on her face, but she knew well that her beauty was gone for ever.

“If Erick would only come back,” she said as she stood looking at the water, “I should not now be always thinking about my looks, as he talked to me; I would think of him instead.”

When the water elves heard her words, they flew to the wise old elf, and said,—

“See how hardly she has been punished. She is quite cured of her vanity. Let us cut the ropes of sand, and let her image free.”

But the old elf shook his head, and said,—

“Not just yet. Wait a little longer.”

As Lamorna stood gazing over the water, she did not know that some one came up behind her, but she heard her name called, and looking round she saw a soldier with only one arm standing by her. He was so altered and brown that she looked at him for some time before she saw that it was Erick. Then she gave a little cry, and holding out her hands called him by his name.

“Did you really know me again, dear Lamorna?” he said, coming up to her. “I thought you would quite. have forgotten me by now. And see how changed I am—I have only one arm.”