20 THE SECOND FROGGY FAIRY BOUK.

hoppers was drawn up in line as if on parade,
and in review. The insects wore yellow uni-
forms. As the sun’s rays played upon them,
Elsie’s eyes were dazzled, for each insect carried
a quantity of mica.

- What fun this was! Elsie turned to call
Uncle Tom that he and she might view the
grasshopper parade together. But Uncle Tom
was nowhere to be seen. Elsie set about look-
ing for him. She went back to the place where
they had been sitting, but could not find him.
Elsie caught her Bren to call him, and then
—words were held back by her amazement.

The leaves, covering the tree “neath which
she stood, began to wave and flutter. Then
they all opened out into brilliantly hued butter-
fly wings. A dense cloud of insects arose from
the tree. The branches were left destitute of
foliage, but the air was filled with life and bright
colors, A bird sang out from the topmost
branch that it was the tree’s birthday.

A noise of drum-beating recalled Elsie to
the forest edge. Here the grasshopper regi- |
ments were forming into line of march. At
their front was a drum-corps of crickets, led by
a huge beetle drum-miyjor.

“ Cracky, cracky, what nonsense!” sounded
a voice near? Elsie. She) tummeds, 7a ‘pretty