Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-10-30
CHAPTER III
THE BLUE IMPS"

lNINHlS lS very serious We must helm
i Mrs Dalton at once" declared the
Giant Of the Woods. when Blue Jay brought
word that the Blue Imps had captured the
mother Of the two soldier boys Ben and
BILL will you aid US. Sir Ready Smiler?"
he called to the leader Of the Rosy Peps
Sure we wil-H Princess Peggy will give
| us strength" responded the handsome pink
knight.
I'll do anything can" promised Peggy.
who was still a bit confused over the strange
appearance Of the Blue Imps and their at
tack on her. She didn't know how she could
give strength to the dashng Rosy Pops, but
she was perfectly willing to try
Come on. then! We must hurry" cried
the Giant. With that he swung Peggy to his
shoulder and set of at a stride that carried
him over the ground surprisingly fast. The
Rosy Peps followed in military formation
like flying cavalry.
Wasn't 1t funny the way those Blue Imps
exploded when the Rosy Pops punctured
Them" chuckled Peggy.
YES" agreed the Giant. THE Blue Inns.
like lot Of our other troubles. swell up
mighty big and cause no end Of harm IL we
let them. but II we just prick them they
promptly blow up ker-bang. and we fnd that
they are nothing more than air after ALL"
But they seemed mighty strong when I
was In their power" shuddered Peggy
Yes. they'll tie you up quicker than a
wink II you let them get hold Of you."
replied the Giant And once their fetters
life and energy out Of you. know. They
used to get me often in the days before you
reformed me-"
What would they have done to me, IL
you hadn't come along?" asked Peggy
They'd have taken you to the Valley of
Gloom. an awful place Allied with poisonous
gases. and there they would have kept you
and tortured you until you wasted away,
and maybe lost your mind or died."
How horrible" Peggy shuddered again,
~ hnn Ra4
of the fate she had escaped She was glod
she was protected now by the valiant Rosy
Pops. She looked up gratefully. only to gasp
in disniay. The Rosy Peps were flying away
as fast as they could.
Here. here. call them back again - shout
ed the Giant. looking so upset Peggy couldn't
help laughing at him.
'That'R 1t. Laugh! Laugh" roared the
Giant, juggling her up and down until Peggy
| shrieked with glee. And as she shriekea
the Rosy Pops came swoopinS back as
clipper and eager as ever.
Keep smiling!" whispered the Giant.
They are afraid Of sour faces and run away
from them That gives the Blue Imps a
chance to take possession"
"I'ld smile and SMILE" replied PEGGY. who
| by this time was her old cheerful self again.
See that blue cloud ahead?" said the
Giant. That's the Imp army around Mrs
Dalton's home.
| my gracious. can we break through ?"
| asked Peggy. looking at the dark piist that
| hung over the farm house, mist that she
could now see was made UP Of thousands and
| thousands Of Blue Imps
I'VE have to break through" insisted the
Giant The Blue Imps are slowly poisoning
/ Mrs. Dalton. and are planting their eggs in
/ her Ink 10 that when she writes to her SOL
/ dier boys. her letters carry hundreds of Blue
| Imps over there to weaken the morale Of our
fighters. Do you know what morale means?'
"Of course do." replied Pesgy 1T
| means grit and courage and determination to
thrash the Huns"
You're right. That's why we have to
blow up the hunnish Blue Imps over here II
we're going to prevent their weakening our
| boys over there"
princess Pessy, we are ready to attack,
cried Sir Ready smilsr. ~ they halted IN
| front Of the masses OF scowling Blue Imps
that surrounded the Dalton home. "Will you
| lead US with q song and dancer"
Peggy thought this was queer way TO 60
| into battle. but she was soon to hnd It q
mighty good way In attacking the Blue Imps
fTomsyrov sosH bs told Aov Peggy. tho
| Dlus Imp 0rmyJ