She had hardly spoken, before a rose-bush, covered with beautiful crimson flowers, sprang up at their feet.
Then they knew that the pretty silken toy was a wonderful wishing-cap, and that any thing they might desire, could be had for the wishing.
In the morning, when the young men went out, Zoie put on the cap, and wished they might find a mine of great richness.
“Though we could now live without the trouble of working,” she said to the father, “a rich mine would help hundreds of poor people, who would find employment in it. So it would be a real blessing.”
While they sat talking, the brother rushed in, bringing a great nugget of gold, telling how at last, they had found a mine of fabulous richness.
Thus, they had every thing they desired, till one day, the miller’s son put on the cap, and told Zoie, that above every thing in the world, he wished that she might love him, and consent to be his wife.
The young maiden blushed, and begged for the cap. “It was not quite fair,” she said, “in wishing that!” So they talked, as young people will, but it ended in her placing her hand in his, and promising to be his bride.
“And this,” as the father said, “was the best wish of all.”
The brother was greatly pleased, and said, “Zoie shall be married in the old home.” So they all went together to the pleasant adobe house from which they had fled so long ago.
The step-mother was greatly surprised so see them. She had so often reported them dead, that she really began to believe it herself.