THE FISHERMAN S RING

for men to live In. Say this, Cecco, and the Doge
will not forsake thee In thine old age."

Then he disappeared; and soon the sun rose
above the gate of the sea at Torcello. With its
first beautiful rays it shed a rosy light over the
white city and over the sea that shoae In mmy
colours. A red glow lay over San Giorgio
and San Marco, and over the whole shore,
studded with palaces. And in the lovely morning
radiant Venetian ladies came out on to the log-
gias and greeted with smiles the rising day.

Venice was once again the beautiful goddess,
rising from the sea in her shell of rose-coloured
pear!. Beautiful as never before, she combed her
golden hair, and threw the purple robe around
her? to begin one of her happiest days. For a
transport of bliss filled her when the old fisher-
man brought San Marco's ring to the Doge, and
she heard how the Saint, now, and until the end
of time, would hold his protecting hand over her

SELMA LAGERLOF.