[Illustration: ÆGLE AND THE ELF] [Illustration: J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY STEREOTYPERS AND PRINTERS] [Illustration] ÆGLE AND THE ELF. A FANTASY. BY M. B. M. TOLAND, AUTHOR OF “SIR RAE,” “IRIS,” “ONTI ORA,” “THE INCA PRINCESS,” ETC. ILLUSTRATED WITH PHOTOGRAVURES OF ORIGINAL DRAWINGS BY EMINENT ARTISTS. PHILADELPHIA: J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY. LONDON: 10 HENRIETTA STREET, COVENT GARDEN. 1887. COPYRIGHT, 1886, BY J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY. [Illustration: DESIGNS.] [Illustration: LIST OF DRAWINGS] THE NYMPH’S CAVERNED CELL _Frontispiece._ _Modelled by Theodor Baur._ THE MOONBEAMS WERE LIGHTING THE WATERY WAY PAGE 13 _Drawn by Wm. St. John Harper._ THE LOVELY YOUNG NAIADS WERE SWAYING THE TREE 17 _Drawn by H. Siddons Mowbray._ WHEN LO! A FAIR VISION AROSE ON THE TIDE 21 _Drawn by F. S. Church._ SURPRISING A YOUNG WOODLAND ELF 25 _Drawn by F. S. Church._ ON A TREE-TOP HE SAT, WITH A QUIZZICAL FACE 29 _Drawn by W. Hamilton Gibson._ SEEMED WAVING HER FORM FROM HIS SIGHT 33 _Drawn by Wm. St. John Harper._ THREE LOVELY YOUNG NAIADS AROSE ON THE TIDE 37 _Drawn by S. W. Van Schaick._ HE BLINDLY PLUNGED INTO THE TIDE 41 _Drawn by H. Siddons Mowbray._ THE NAIADS HAD VANISHED LIKE FLASHES OF LIGHT 45 _Drawn by Jessie Shepherd._ “YOUNG ELFIN, THYSELF IN THY ELEMENT KEEP!” 49 _Drawn by Jessie Shepherd._ ALL DRIPPING AND SKIPPING HE O’ER THE BANK SPED 53 _Drawn by W. Hamilton Gibson._ I SUDDENLY WOKE FROM MY NAP BY THE STREAM 57 _Drawn by Wm. St. John Harper._ DECORATIVE DESIGNS. _Drawn by René T. Quelin._ [Illustration: ÆGLE The moonbeams were lighting the watery way, That rimpled And dimpled,— The Nymphs were at play; ] [Illustration] [Illustration: ’Neath willows whose branches were kissing the stream So lightly And brightly, It almost would seem The lovely young Naiads were swaying the tree, To lash it And dash it, In frolicking glee. ] [Illustration] [Illustration: I rested my oars on my frail little boat, Still gliding, Dividing The cresses afloat. When lo! a fair vision arose on the tide; A maiden All laden With lilies to hide ] [Illustration] [Illustration: