THE ELVES AND GNOMES TO THE RESCUE. 75

it, and fell crashing down the hillside, and then
it seemed as if the task were almost hopeless,
and the cap looked as far off as when she first
started.

The cap hung on the top of a fir tree that,
from where the little maid stood, looked no
higher than a bush of medium size, but in
reality it was a tall tree that had been growing
for several generations.

Mona had plenty of courage, and not once
did she think of giving up her project; but as
the sun sank lower and lower, and she realized
how very little headway she had made, a dread-
ful misgiving took possession of her. ‘“ What
if she should not reach the bottom of the hill be-
fore dark?” Next came the thought, “ What
if the bears did really go prowling about at
night?”

“T will not think of such things,” said
the brave little maid to herself. “I will
think of the kind fairies. Perhaps there are
some about here, and they are watching
me now.

This last pleasant thought reassured the
little wanderer, and she cheered herself by
imagining the flowers and trees about her