WASSA RETURNS TO FAIRYLAND. I45

truly spoiled child until thou hast learned to
know thy own heart. Swiftstepper, take up
this little maid once more and bear her to
King Rondo’s domains. He knows what he
has to do.”

With these words the little man in gray
vanished as suddenly as he had appeared; and,
in spite of her struggles, Swiftstepper once
more picked up Wassa, and, with one of his
long strides, stood before the high stone wall
that shut in King Rondo’s domains.

The huge door rolled slowly back, the giant
placed Wassa inside, then withdrew, and the
door rolled back into place.

While Wassa was imprisoned in the cran-
berry bog, the elves, as was their nightly
custom, assembled for their revels. This night
they were unusually gay and noisy, and peals
of laughter were heard continually. |

Since several days the elves had been put-
ting their little heads together and plotting
with their little brains, and now, at last, their
plans were perfected. In their midst stood
that mischief-loving sprite, Toto the Slim.
Whatever he had been saying afforded his
companions great amusement, for they were