Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-16

Ing softly. ''They are usually houses COM
posed of mud, mixed with bits of wood and
leaves and branches of trees. But am
King of the Beaver Fairies, who watch
over the fortunes of all ordinary beavers
and take care of them. We are Invisible,
even to beavers: and the eyes of mankind
can never see us, unless, as in your case
we permit them to do so. These rooms
seem to you deserted, but. 1 assure you.
they are filled with many beaver fairies,
who are even now watching you with much
curiosity"
Both the children started at hearing this
and glanced hastily around. but nothing
but the walls of the palace met their gaze
and the king smiled upon them tndulgently.
Eat our banquet this evening" said he,
81 will permit you to see my people. But
now please come to the music room, where
you may enjoy the strains of harmony that
provide US with one Of our chief amuse-
ments."
He led the way to another room the roof
of which was dome-shaped. From differ
ent points in this dome projected the ends
OF many silver tubes, and near the floor
of the room. directly underneath each OF
the tubes, was placed plate of glass or of
metal.
The king invited his guests to seat them
selves, and then pressed diamond button
that was placed in the wall. This allowed
the water from the river above them to
drip slowly through the silver tubes. and
as 1t fell. drop by drop, on the plates be-
meath it made sounds that were very sweet
out deep and resonant sounds, while the
smaller glass plates tinkled melodiously as
the drops of water fell upon them
Neither Chick nor the princess recog-
nized the first tune that was played, for
it had been composed by one of the Fairy
Beavers: but afterward the king played
Home Sweet Home" for them, and An
ME Laurie" and the music was so exQuis-
itely sweet and soft that the girl declared
she would never have imagined that sounds
SO delightful could be produced. and Chick
pronounced the entertainment ''all right"
The gingerbread man was also pleased,
for 1t was the first real music he had ever
heard, and it soothed and comforted him
beyond measure.
The Fairy King seemed glad to give his
new friends pleasure, and when the prfn-
cess remarked that she would like to know
what the Mifkets thought of their sudden
escape, the beaver led them to what he
a square box. draped with black silk, and
having window in one side.
Seating the girl and her companions be-
fore this window, the king said:
You will now observe what the Mifkets
are doing"
Instantly picture appeared in the box.
and it seemed that through the little win
dow they were gazing upon a section Of
were the Mifkets. indeed, with Black
Ooboo and the Arab among them. and all
were quarreling and fighting among them
selves in their usual way and trying to de-
eide what had become Of the gingerbread
man and the children.
''They are drowned and at the bottom
Of the river by this time Black Ooboo
said; and his words came as distinctly to
their ears as If they had been standing be-
side him.
'T hope not" answered Ali Dubh; 'for
I've never yet had single bite of the gin
gerbread man, although 1 bought and paid
for him.
Then the scene changed, and they saw
Para Bruin climbing slowly up the side of
the steel hill to his den. He seemed none
the worse for his roll down the mountain
and his bath in the river. and they noticed
that he laughed and chuckled to himself
as If much amused.
THAT was a good fight" John Dough
heard him murmur, in the bear language,
land L m mighty glad was in time to save
the princess, Chick. and the delicatessen
man. They're safe enough with the beav-
ers by this time the white rabbit says"
Then he laughed again; and, reaching the