“One day, when lying on the shore of a beautiful body of water, he noticed that the sky was suddenly tinged with red. He rubbed his eyes with amazement, but the red hue tinged every object that he looked upon; the treetops, the lake, and the deer that glided along the edge of the forest had a delicate crimson splendor. In the midst of this fairy spectacle he heard a musical voice sigh, and turning around saw a radiantly beautiful woman standing near him. Her countenance was lovely, and her glorious brown eyes were sparkling with light. She smiled as she looked upon him, and for a minute her teeth gleamed white as little pearls between her red lips. Her splendid golden hair hung in soft masses below her waist, and the wind was blowing it softly about. Her garments were loose and flowing, and variegated in color, shading from the tenderest pink to the deepest crimson. The wonderful dyes of her dress seemed to float away from her in rosy clouds, and blend in the air until the rich rose-color around glowed and deepened to a magnificent red. [Illustration: “_Turning around he saw a radiantly beautiful woman near him._” (Page 130)] “As Oswald stood gazing upon this gorgeous maiden, she addressed him in a low and charming voice: ‘O, dreamer of the woods, am I not worth seeking? Why do you waste your life in idleness here? Look for me in the land that lies westward, beyond the setting of the sun. There may be many obstacles in your path, but, overcoming them, you will find your bride awaiting you. Am I not worth the winning?’ “For answer, Oswald sprang forward to clasp her in his arms, but at that instant the red light glowed more brightly about her, flaring to a brilliant flame; and thus standing in its midst, she disappeared in a sea of fire, leaving the sky and water a dull, heavy gray.