THE BROWN BEETLE UNDERTAKES A MISSION. I21

mischievous imp who had caused her so many
falls and bruises.

“Tl follow thee, be sure of that,” cried
Wassa angrily, “and what is more, I'll overtake
thee too. In the dark passages of Fairyland
thou hadst it all thy own way, but here, in the
woods, I know every step of the way, and if I
cannot overtake thee, mite that thou art, it
would be a pity.”

A mocking laugh from the wisp was the
only reply, and at that the chase began in
earnest. Away went the wisp, followed closely
by the excited Wassa. Over stones and
stumps and bushes bounded the light Will-o’-
the-wisp, and, in spite of Wassa’s vigorous
exertions, he managed to keep the distance be-
tween them exactly the same.

Faster and faster came Wassa’s breath, but
so lightly did the wisp float along that he re-
mained as fresh as when he first started.

“‘O’er bush and o’er stone, when the day’s done,
The chase is ended, the race is won,”

called out the wisp.
Wassa now noticed for the first time that
the day was nearly done, but this only caused