As stories placed in the hands of Oriental readers would be comparatively useless unless written in an Oriental style, and describing scenes and customs familiar to natives, A. L. O. E. has tried to adopt such a style, and depict such scenes. When she reviewed her work, with the mental question, “What would be thought of this in England?” she felt how fanciful and affected her writings might appear to European readers, and almost gave up all idea of sending them home. And yet, as quaint and often grotesque ornaments brought from the East are not despised in Britain because they are unlike our own manufactures, but are sometimes even prized for their very quaintness, it is possible that a few of A. L. O. E.’s Oriental stories may not be unacceptable in her native land. They may even serve to awaken a little interest in a vast country like India, where a Native Church is struggling against surrounding evil influences,—a Church as yet small compared with the myriads of its opponents, yet gaining strength year by year. That infant Church needs tender care and indulgence from those who have been brought up in a land bathed in the light of Christianity,—a land where children are taught almost from the cradle the value of honesty and truth, and where little is known of the fearful difficulties and trials which beset converts to the pure faith of the gospel. Contents. I. THE RADIANT ROBE, 9 II. THE CHURCH WHICH GREW OUT OF ONE BRICK, 28 III. THE PUGREE WITH A BORDER OF GOLD, 58 IV. THE PINK CHADDAR, 76 V. THE STORY OF THREE JEWELS, 91 VI. JEWELS FOUND, 112 VII. THE BROKEN FENCE, 133 VIII. SHINING IN THE DARK, 150 IX. THE PAPER PARABLE, 165 X. THE OLDEST LANGUAGE UPON EARTH, 170 XI. STORIES ON THE TEN COMMANDMENTS:— 1. The Broken Bridge, 175 2. The Burning Hut, 179 3. The Marks on the Sand, 182 4. The Beautiful Garden, 185 5. The Blind Mother, 189 6. A Dangerous Village, 192 7. The Beautiful Pardah, 196 8. The Bearer’s Dream, 201 9. The Cracked Scent-Bottle, 204 10. The Fall, the Cheetah, and the Cup, 208 A WREATH OF INDIAN STORIES. I. The Radiant Robe.