Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-09

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 SO unhappy 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 q
puffy paw and glanced affectionately at
the girl.
whats the matter with her?'' asked
John. anxiously.
mo strength and vitality" answered the
bear. She's failing every day, and there
isn't a drug store or a doctor on the is
land. But don't tell her, whatever you
do. Perhaps she doesn't realize it, and
the knowledge would only make her more
unhappy"
Then the bear, who seemed remarkably
tender hearted, trotted, with bouncing
footsteps, into his cave, so 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 prin-
cess started to return to their dwellings
by means of short cut through the for
est 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 agree
able. But his content was suddenly In
terrupted by the Cherub. who gave loud
cry and pointed excitedly into the forest.
look. when he began to tremble Violently
For there before him-only few PAGES
away-stood his bitter and relentless
enemy, Ali Dubh, the Arab!
"At last" said Ali Dubh, smiling most
unpleasantly, 81 have again found you.
John was 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. II purchased from her two trans
port powders. One transported me to the
Isle of Phreex, and, when you then es-
here But 1 cannot allow the gingerbread
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 to eat you at once"
THAT I cannot do" said John firmly;
"for If I am eaten that is the end of me-"
How self1sh!" exclaimed the Arab.
who are you. to be considered before Ali
Dubh, son of mighty sheik and chief of
an ancient tribe Of the desert? Remember,
sir, then, when I have eaten you, I shall
gain for myself the priceless powers of the
Great -Elixer contained in your gingerbread
and will thus become the most powerful
and most intelligent man in the world,
besides living forever! Dare you. sir. allow
your selfish motives to interfere with so
grand a reSult?'
81 dare" replied John.
But you have nothing to say about It,"
continued the Arab. You are not your
own master. You belong to me, for
purchased you from Jules Grogrande, the
baker. who made you, and am. therefore,
entitled to eat you whenever I please
Nevertheless" answered John, Il will
not be eaten If can help it."
"Ah! but that Is unjust!' protested the
Arab.
IF to be unjust Is to be eatenv' said
John. you need not look to me for JUS
tice. I may be wrong in this decision,
but it is better to be wrong than to be
nothing"
Then remarked Ali Dubh, sadly, "you
force me to eat you without your consent,
which 1t will grieve me to do"
With this, he drew his terrible knife and
sprang upon John Dough with great fe-
rocity. But in the recent encounter with
Black Oooboo the gingerbread man had
learned how powerful the Elixer 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 strong