WHAT THE BROWN BEETLE SAW. 2a

The swarm of gnats obediently flew off to
execute the bidding of their mistress, and were
soon out of sight. Ina short time, they came
swarming back again.

“Well?” demanded the queen haughtily.

“We have been able to discover nothing,
gracious lady,” answered the first maid of
honor. “We found our passage barred by a
high wall of solid rock, and although a faint
murmur of voices reached our ears, we were
not able to catch the words.”

“Stupid things!” exclaimed the dragon-fly.
“ Now go and prepare a bath for me.”

Away swarmed the eager attendants, and
the blue dragon-fly and the brown beetle were
left alone together.

The blue dragon-fly looked at the brown
beetle quite graciously. “I don't like the
dark,” she said with a charming smile. “I like
to fly about in the sunlight. I suppose that
cavern is as dark as dark as can be.”

‘@htlaves wirep leanne beetle, delighted to be
addressed by the beautiful stranger, “it’s as
dark as a pocket. I’ve often been in there, or
rather, a short distance in.”

“Thou?” asked the dragon-fly in astonish-