The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-07-24

After an hour or 10 most of the band |
OF Whoelers rolled back into the forest,
leaving only three OF their number to
guard the hill. These curled themselves
up like big dogs and pretended to. go
to sleep on the sands; but neither Do
rothy nor Billina were fooled by this
trick, so they remained in security
among the rocks and paid no attention
to their cunning enemies.
Finally the hen, fluttering over the
mound, exclaimed; Why, here's a
PATH
so Dorothy at once clambered to
where Billina sat, and there, sure
enough, was a smooth path cut between
the rocks. 1t seemed to wind around
the mound from top to bottom, like a
corkscrew, twisting here and there be-
tween the rough bouldeFs but always
remaining level and easy 10 walk upon,
Indeed Dorothy wondered at ftrIt
path; but when she followed II to the
foot OF the mound she found that sew
cral big pieces of rock had been placed
directly across the end of the way, thus
preventing any one outside from seeing
i and also preventing the Wheelers
from using 1t to climb up the mound,
Then Dorothy walked back up the
path, and followed II until she came
to the very top of the hill. where a
solitary round rock stood that was big
ktT IMAM any ol lnt ullltES shTIuNHu
ing II, The path came to an end just
beside this great rock, and for a mo-
lnent 1t puzzled the girl to know why
the path had been made at all. But the
hen, who had been gravely following
her around and was now perched upon
n point of rock behind Dorothy, sud
denly remarked:
1T looks something like a door,
doesn't IL"
What looks like a door," inquired
the child.
why, that crack In the rock, just
round eyes were very sharp and seemed
to see everything "lt runs up one side
and down the other, and across the
top and the bottom"
what doesG"
why. the crack. So l think 1t must
be a door Of rock, although | do not
see any hinges"
"Oh, yes, g said Dorothy, now observ-
ing for the first time the crack In the
rock; And isn't this a key hole, BIZ
Ina pointing to q round deep hole
at one side of the door,
"Of course. II we only had the key,
now, we could unlock 1t and see what
Is there" replied the yellow hen, May
be it's IA treasure chamber fun Of dia-
monds and rubies, or heaps OF shining
THAT reminds me- said Dorothy, "of
the golden key | picked up on the shore.
DO you think that 1t would tit this key
hole, Billina?'
Try 1t and see, suggested the hen.
SO Dorothy searched In the pocket
of her dress n found the golden key.
And when she had put II into the hole
of the rock, and turned It, Ii sudden
sharp snap was heard then, with a
solemn creak that made the shivers
run down the child's back, the face of
the rock fell outward. like u door on
hinges, II revealed a small dark cham
her just inside.
Good gracious" cried Dorothy,
shrinking back Ms far as the narrow
path would let her,
chamber Of rock, was the form OF a
man. In the dim light. He was only
about as tall as Dorothy herself, and
hts body WAS round AS a ball and made
out Of FURNISHED copper, Also his head
and limbs we're copper, and these were
Guitar way, with metal caps over the
joints, like the armor worn ny knights
} In days az old. He stood perfectly still
and where the light struck upon his
form 1t glittered as II made Of pure
5 gold
Don't be frightened called Rinina,
| from her perch. 1T isn't alive
II see 1t isn't replied the girl, draw
ing u long breath,
, ITS only made out of copper, lik,
= nv NV NtNNlV III w tHl NY at lNllit
continued he hen, turping her hedt
first to one side end then to the other
I SO that both her little round eyes coul,
examine the object,
; once" said Dorothy. II knew a mar
| made out Of tin who was a woodmai
named Nick Chopper, He was as alivt
as we are, cause he was born a rea
man. and got his tin body a little a
a time-ftrst a leg and then a finge
and then an ear--for the reason that h,
Y had so many accidents with his az
! and cut himself up in a very cereles
I manner
q oh said the hen. with q sniff, a
. II sho did not believe tha story,
"But this copper man" continue,
Dorothy, looking at II with big eyes
It's not alive az all, and J wonder wha
II was made for, ana why II WA locke
up In this queer place"
THAT is u mystery remarked tn
hen, twisting her head 10 arrange he
i wing feathers with her bill,
4 Dorothy stepped inside the little roor
to get a back view OF the copper mar
and in this way discovered a priNte
card that hung between his shoulders
Il being suspended from a small cor
. per peg at the back OF his neck, Sh
. unfastened this card aud returned I
d the path. where the light was bette
and sat herself down upon a slab
roc to e the printing