The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-09

purity and high grade Of my rubber"
at does, indeed" declared John. Il
I'M greatly pleased to have met 80 remarka-
BILE and talented a bear"
you must visit me often. : said the bear,
making a dignihed bow. 1T is a great
treat 20 q my own language spoken, for
| Gm the only bear upon the island. l
haven't any visiting cards. but my name is
Para Bruin and you are always welcome
at my cave"
Il am called John Tough, said the ginger
bread man. Il cannot claim TO be indie
structible, but while | last l shall be proud
Of your friendship and will bring the chill
dren to visit you often"
TRY to teach them my language, y sug-
gested Para Bruin, -for | love children and
nave often wished | might talk with them,
As for the little Princess. all the island
people love her dearly except Of course
the Mifkets- and we all worry more or less
over her health. She's weak and delicate,
you know, and her life here is made 40 I'M
happy by the separation from her parents
that I'm afraid she won't be with US very
long"
He wiped a tear from his eye with a puffy
paw and glanced af~fectionately at the girl.
What's the matter with herr" asked
John anxiously.
No strength and vitality, = answered the
bear. She's failing every day and there
i'm a drug store or a doctor OF the island.
But don't tell her. whatever you do. Per-
haps she doesn't realize it and the knowl-
edge would only make her miserable
Then the bear, who seemed remarkably
enc hearted. trotted with bouncing
footsteps into his cave. 30 that the little
Princess. for whom he grieved, might not
see the tears that stood in his rubber eyes.
After that John and Chick and the Princess
started 10 return to their DIV ellings by means
Of a short cut through the forest, known to
the girl. John was feeling very contented
in the companionship Of the two children,
and reflected that. in spite of the Mifkets,
his life on this beautiful island babe fair to
be pleasant and agreeable.
But his content was suddenly interrupted
by the Cherub. who gave a loud cry and
pointed excitedly into the forest.
The gingerbread man had cast but one
look, when he began to tremble violently.
For there before him-only a few PAGES
a~way-stood his bitter and relentless enemy,
Ali Dubh, the Arab!
AT last" said Ali Dubh, smiling most
ullplCnrolNlJt l. navy Rkhhl ouhu JOus
John vas too agitated to reply; but Chick
asked;
How on earth did you ever get TO this
island?"
by means of the WITCH the Arab re-
piled. Il purchased from her two transport
powders. One transported me to the Isle
Of Phreex. and, when o then escaped
me, the other transported me here.
an.N s ALA NA2 -t-.krA.l
man to escape me again, because I have no
more powders, nor any way to reach the
witch who makes them. So, my dear John
Dough, please accept your fate and permit
me 20 eat you at once
That | cannot do" said John firmly;
"for il l am eaten, that is the end Of me-"
How SELFISH" exclaimed the Arab
Who are you. to be considered before Ali
Dubh, son OF a mighty sheik and chief Of an
ancient tribe Of the desert?
Remember. sir, that when l have eaten
you ! shall gain for myself the priceless
powers Of the Great Elixir contained in
your gingerbread, and will thus become
the most powerful and most intelligent
man in the world, besides living ~foreverl
Dare you, sir, allow your selfish motives to
interfere with so grand a result?"
Il dare p lied John.
But you nave nothing to sly about it,"
continued the Arab. You are not your
own master. You belong 20 me, for |
purchased you from Jules Grogrande, the
baker, who made you. and I am, therefore,
entitled to eat you whenever 1 please"
Nevertheless. answered John, Il will
not Re eaten il l can help it,"
-Ah! but that is UNJUST" protested the
Arab.
IF to be just is to be eaten" said
John, you need not look to me for justice.
I may be wrong in this decision, but il is
better TO be wrong h a TO be nothing
Then" remarked Ali Du h. sadly. you
force me to eat yor ~ithout your consent,
which il will grieve me to do"
With this he drew his terrible knife
and sprang pom John Dough with great
ferocity..
But in the recent encounter with Black
Ooboo the gingerbread man had learned
how powerful the Elixir made him; so he
did not run this time from the Arab, but
avoided the thrust Of the knife and caught
the body OF Ali Dubh in a strong clasp.
Next moment he had lifted him up n
tossed him high into the air as easily as he
had tossed the Mifket.
Inc ATdD dlBntou III tuc Top DThHCueo
of a tall scarlet plant and chung TO them
in great fear lest he should fall to the
ground and he killed. Indeed, so frightened
was he that he uttered screams OF terror
with every breath and forgot all about
eating John Dough in the more important
thought Of how he might reach safety.
Let's run!" exclaimed Chick, grasping
Johns hand. Don't mind the Arab. II
he falls its good enough for him! Seelthere
come some Of the creatures now, with Black
Ooboo at their head"
Hearing this John hesitated no longer
but fed down another pathway with the
children and soon left the sound Of Ali
Dubh's cries far behind him
That evening when John came out Of his
tree house to watch the sunset he found
Pittypat, the white rabbit, sitting before
the door.
I've news for you, my friend. began
the rabbit in a grave voice. Black Ooboo
and the Arab who wanted TO eat you have
hacor n feat frianda and t0gefhor thew are