WASSA GOES TO FAIRYLAND. THIEL

chievous trick played upon the innocent Mona,
and not prevent it?”

“But how can I prevent it?” asked the
brown beetle mildly.

“7 can and will,” replied the blue dragon-
fly with energy. “A splendid idea has just
this moment occurred to me.”

The brown beetle dared not ask what the
new idea was, and the blue dragon-fly didn’t
see fit to tell him, but she continued :—

“ Those tiresome gnomes have some plan in
their heads that concerns Wassa, but what it is
nobody knows except themselves, unless it is
the elves, and they will not tell. However, I
intend to take the matter into my own hands.
Dost thou happen to know where William of
the wisp is?”

“Thou know’st he never comes out except
at night,” replied the brown beetle. “He is
probably sleeping now.”

“T know he is the most careless fellow in the
world. He sleeps through the beautiful bright
day, and comes out at night when he has to
carry a lantern to see his way.”

“Thou wilt see him as soon as it grows
dark,” said the beetle. “ Every night I see him