I24 THE FAIRY-FOLK OF THE BLUE HILL.

To Wassa’s plaintive calls for help the wisp
replied only with jeering laughs and derisive
questions, and, after satisfying his merriment,
left her to her fate. She watched him as long
as he was in sight, as he danced over the
meadow and finally disappeared from her view.

Loudly and long did Wassa cry for help,
but not a sound reached her in reply, except
the lonesome cries of the night birds and the
occasional barking of foxes.

“Get away, thou horrid thing!” exclaimed
Wassa angrily as a large brown beetle flew
against her.

The beetle was none other than our honest
little friend, who, convinced that mischief was
intended, had set his dull little mind to work
to discover what was going on about him.

A conscientious soul as ever lived was the
brown beetle, and, in spite of Wassa’s rude
repulse, he was determined to assist her in her
trouble if he could. But what could he do?
Fle set his slow mind to work. This mischief
he was sure was the result of the conversation
between the blue dragon-fly andthe Will-o’-the-
wisp, and neither of them was conscientious
enough to repair the harm done.