Evening star., 1919-06-22

and she also learned that creatures Of
this strange race were born In this
queer fashion. But when our little
girl first caught sight of the first in
dvidual Of a race that was destined
to cause her a lot of trouble she had
an idea that the brilliantly clothed
parsonage was on roller skates, which
were attached to his hands as we'll as
to his feet.
Rum screamed the yellow hen.
fiuttering away in great fright. TITS
a Wheeler"
"a Wheeler" exclaimed Dorothy.
What can that be-"
Don't you remember the warning
in the sand: Beware the Wheelers'?
Run, tell you-run."
So Dorothy ran. and the Wheeler
gave a sharp. wild cry and came after
her In full chase.
Looking over her shoulder as she
ran, the girl now saw a great process
sion Of Wheelers emerging from the
forest-dozens and dozens Of them
all clad in splendid. tigbt-ftting gar
ments and all rolling swiftly toward
her and uttering their wild, strange
cries.
They're sure to catch u.s." painted
the girl who was still carrying the
heavy dinner pail she had picked. II
can't run much farther Billina"
"Climb up this hill.-Quick!" said
the hen: and Dorothy found she was
very near to the heap of loose and
jagged rocks they had passed on their
way to the forest. The yellow hen
was even now fiuttering among the
rocks, and Dorothy followed as best
she could. half climbing and half
tumbling up the rough and rugged
steep.
She was none too soon, for the fore
most Wheeler reached the hill a mo-
ment after her; but while the girl
scrambled up the rocks the creature
stopped short with howls of rage and
disappointment.
Dorothy now heard the. yellow hen
laughing in her cackling. benny way.
Don't hurry. my dear" cried
Billina. 'They can't follow us among
these rocks, so we're safe enough
now"
Dorothy stopped at once, and sat
down upon a broad boulder. for she
was all out of breath.
The rest Of the wheelers had now
reached the foot of the hill, hut 1t
was evident that their wheels would
not roll upon the rough and jagged
rocks, and therefore they were help
less to follow Dorothy and the hen to
where they had taken refuge. but
they circled all around the little hill.
SO the child and Billina were fast
prisoners and could not come down
without being captured.
Then the creatures shook their front
wheels at Dorothy in a threatening
manner. and it seemed they were able
to speak as we'll as to make their
dreadful outcries, for several Of them
shouted:
Well get you in time, never fear!
And when we do get you. well tear
you into little bits"
4 4 't
why are you so cruel to me?"
asked Dorothy. I'm a stranger in
your country, and have done you no
harm"
mo harm" cried one who seemed to I
be their leader. Did you not pick
our lunch boxes and dinner pailsf
Have you not a stolen dinner pail still
in your hand"
: II only picked one Of EACH" she
answered. II was hungry, and didn't
know the trees were yours"
THAT Is no excuse" retorted the
leader. who was clothed in q most
gorgeous suit ut is the law here
that whoever picks dinner pail
without our permission must die i'm
mediately."
Don't you b'lieve him." said
Billina, I'm sure the trees do not
belong to these awful creatures. They
are fit for any mischief, and it's my
opinion they would try to kill us just
the same IL you hadn't picked a din
ner pail"
II think so. too" agreed Dorothy
But what shall we do n0w?' ~
stay where we are" advised the \
yellow hen. I'VE are safe from the 4
Wheelers until we starve to death,