The Brownies and Prince Florimel
THE F
there was a race of fairies who never
face and form was be
nest of these fairies were ever so much prettier. That is to say, all were very
d herself Lily one of lilies, and so on. There were Violet, Daffodil, Bluebell, Daisy, Jassamine, Hyacinth, and ever so many others. You could find the names of all the rest in a seed-catalogue-that is, all but the little old wrinkled one who was known as Dame Drusilda. The fairies had a republic. Because they were all so very much ali
lumbing. There was a very gorgeous throne-room, wisely arranged in the event that they might some day have a queen, with
s, a golden shallop heaped with flowers came drifting down the placid stream. The fairies signalled to the mermaids who, when their attention was attracted to the shallop, swam to it, and guided it to the shore. As it drew near all grew very much excited when they observed a most exquisite lit
her from her couch, and knelt
her long trailing gown, with a gem-crusted crown upon her brow, and in her h
we are all your loyal subjects. Let us conduct you
the palace. Wee-winged Cupids bore her long train. Th
one-room. When she was placed upon the throne, two do
y done?" asked
cinth, "these two dogs were fighting, an
the one w
this
p the peace!" said Qu
d their approval as t
as always tried to conduct himself like a perfect gentleman? I am a confirmed bachelor-frog. This young lady-fro
ear is leap-year,"
y guilty as a fairy na
ately swallowed a half-do
?" asked Queen Tit
w," he said
ia. "You did it to stir up t
've got
can go and sp
of a fairy messenger named Pink with her petalled attire all flecked with dust dashed in great excitement into the throne-room. She had ridden ma
ot haste, but the unexpected sight of Queen Titania stilled the words upon h
y explained Dame Drusilda, "who
ore Titania and ki
. Dragonfel the wicked enchanter across the sea has de
this?" asked
ird," was P
birds never tell fibs." There was a clamor of dismayed, excited
ed, with much surprise. "She is the Goddess of Mirth, who tries to make the whole world happy-a most gigantic task. Come with me, and I will send her an invisible summons." With the Cupids bearing her train she passed with the fairies out to the palace courtyard where fountains played an
oing, fluttering, and settling on
ctric current had been transmitted to her through the air. She stroked a dove that had found its
s almost painful, but to their great disappoint
ul things were quite astounded when Euphrosyne in what seemed to be t
ish?" she said
the little queen, "we are much co
cross the sea?"
at abou
ns harm to
w trouble," s
y have a good deal of needless worry." All looked very much relieved,
wn, and be very careful about admitting strangers. Don't let anyone in
asked Que
d this magic
ed to have just melted away. Where her hand had been there was a dove,
Queen Titania still thought it prudent to post on one of the p
airies the rest of the afternoon, and, by the time they got through