AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY
EVER AFTER

Dragonfel had been rescued by the Brownies at a crucial time when perhaps they might have been justified in trying to save themselves instead.

The water kept on swiftly rising, and it forced them out of the positions they occupied to ledges and pockets higher up on the rocks. To these all were forced to retreat, and the still senseless enchanter was carried after them by some of his cowardly, frightened followers who would have left him behind if it had not been for the stern command of King Stanislaus.

Still higher and higher rose the water till they were again threatened in their new places of refuge, and it soon became evident that something had to be done, and that quickly.

There was but one passage-way through which the water was not pouring like that of a swift mill-race, and this was the one in which the Brownies had been trapped.

As the water ascended they were forced into it, and they continued on through it well knowing from bitter experience that the huge boulder effectually blocked the exit, and would hold them powerless until finally they were submerged by the relentless flood.

But still they went on, hoping against hope, until they came to the boulder. It was still in place, and though they exerted all their strength in trying to remove it they could not budge it to even the extent of a millionth of an inch.

Brownies used sticks as levers, and the demons employed brute force, but all their efforts proved in vain.

“It’s no use,” at last said King Stanislaus, wiping his perspiring brow. “It looks as though this would be the end.”

A sudden thought entered Florimel’s head—a wild, foolish thought perhaps, but not any more so than when he had aimed his magic arrow at the crescent moon.

Just then a vivacious little mine-sprite found an opportunity to whisper to the Policeman:

“This is leap-year, officer, and, to speak freely, I loved you at first sight.”

“Well,” said the Policeman, with his usual composure, “to speak even more freely, your love at second sight is not returned.”

“I would be willing,” she said, “to fly with you to parts unknown.”

“That’s the trouble,” said the Policeman. “No parts are unknown to the Brownies. The world was our oyster, and we’ve opened it. We’re just as well known in Timbuctoo as Tarrytown!”

There was an angry swell that caused Dragonfel’s galleon to toss violently up and down, but it still held secure to its anchor, and formed a picture inviting to a sailor’s eye.

The enchanter was laid upon the greensward by those who bore him, and he stirred uneasily, while his hand sought his forehead. Then he opened his eyes, and unsteadily tried to get on his feet, in which effort others sprang to his assistance.

“Where am I?” he asked, as dazed and puzzled he looked around. “What has happened?”

His gaze took in the Brownies, and, in spite of all they had just done for him, it was not a reassuring one. But somehow they feared him no longer, for they felt that no matter what further villainy he might attempt they were more than a match for him.

But before some one could answer Dragonfel Euphrosyne, the Goddess of Mirth, suddenly appeared in their midst, though no one could tell just how or from whence she came.

“Meddlesome spirit that you are,” she said sternly, addressing her words to the crestfallen enchanter, “you can no longer trouble the Brownies. Your commission to do evil has expired.”

“How so?” he demanded. “I made application for a renewal.”

“Yes,” she said, “but, through an error in the date, you were too late.”

“Too late?” he repeated blankly.

“Yes, by thirteen seconds,” she announced triumphantly, “and Beelzebub refuses to renew the policy.”

“Great Scott!” ejaculated Dragonfel, with much chagrin. “This comes of trying to run business without an almanac!”

“Henceforth you will be compelled to be good,” said Euphrosyne.

“Yes,” said Dragonfel, in a rather shamefaced manner. “It may come rather hard at first, but I suppose I will get used to it in time. As a matter of fact, I’m growing rather tired of being bad. There’s nothing to it, after all. The only thing one gets from being bad is a lack of respect in the community.”