THE HAT OF BABYLON IN BYGONE LAND

PRINCE Beautiful had been reading a book of wonderful tales to his friend Ali. One story told of a great treasure guarded by a fiery dragon. Another told of a beautiful princess who was held in the castle of a giant.

"I wish," said Royal, "that I were in a land like that right now; maybe I could rescue a real princess."

Royal had said this without thinking. He of course did not believe there was any such land; but he was mistaken. The hat of Babylon, which Prince Beautiful had on, took him at his word. The next minute he was whizzing through space, and Ali was sitting alone.

"I wonder what country this is," said Royal, as the Wishing Hat set him down in front of a quaint old castle, "and whose castle this is."

"This is Bygone Land," said a voice close by Royal's elbow, "and this is the castle of Othertimes."

Royal looked, but could at first see no one. In the end, however, he discovered a little elf, frisking about in the tall grass.

"Tell me, master elf," he said, "is there a princess in this castle to be rescued?"

"There is a princess," chuckled the elf, "but it is the giant that needs to be rescued. The princess has made his life so miserable that his nerves are in a terrible state."

Prince Beautiful wanted to see that princess, and the

next minute he stood before her. The princess was a little lady, who seemed no older than Royal himself.

"Princess," said Royal, "I have come to rescue you.' "From what?" she asked.

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Why, from the giant who holds you a captive."

"My poor giant! leave him? Why, he is the nicest, tamest giant you ever saw. I could not think of leaving him. Poor man! He is in trouble, too. Maybe you could help him."

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Well, sweet princess," said Royal, "if you will come out and take a walk, we will talk the matter over."

"How could I go out walking with you? Why, we have not been properly introduced. Besides, I spoiled my best parasol the last time I was out; and my new summer hat has not come from the milliner's."

"What is your giant's trouble, princess? Maybe I can help him."

"He is in trouble with everybody. The chauffeur left Friday, the janitor on Saturday, and yesterday all the other servants gave notice, just because the poor man is behind with their wages. Besides, to-day is the first of the month, and all the tradespeople have come with their bills, and the poor giant is in despair, because he has no money to pay them. When I asked him ten thousand dollars for a new automobile he almost fell over. Isn't it perfectly dreadful ?”

"It is indeed too bad," answered Royal; "but why is your giant so short of money? Why doesn't he call in his magician and order a new supply?"

"Only last week the magician had a terrible fright when he went to the dragon for money, and lost his wand. So there is no hope unless the wand can be found. And I forgot to tell you that the gardener has left too, and it hasn't rained for two weeks, and all the vegetables are drying up, because there is no one to water them. We are all likely to starve."

"If we can find some one to introduce us properly," said Royal," I shall be delighted to take you out to dine with me."

"But there is only one good restaurant in the country," sighed the princess," and that is closed for the summer." "I see I must find the magician's wand," said Royal. "That would be perfectly charming of you," said the

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princess, with a sweet smile. "But beware of the dragon. He almost frightened the magician to death."

M

Royal wished to be where the wand was. He found himself instantly in a great cave in the side of a mountain. There lay a little black stick, which he judged to be the wand. He looked about, and saw the dragon stretched out along the cave, fast asleep. The dragon knew that the magician could do no harm now that he had lost his wand. So he lay down and went fast asleep, for the first time in a thousand years. He had

watched over that treasure day and night.

When Royal picked up the wand the dragon awoke. Prince Beautiful was scared; and the dragon was scared at first, because he thought the magician had caught him asleep. When the dragon saw who it was, he looked very pleased. But his fiery breath came out and almost choked Royal.

"Oh, I forgot," said the dragon, "I must breathe very gently. But don't be afraid, I will be careful. I am charmed to see you. I have not seen a prince for more than five hundred years. It seems to be very much out of fashion in these days to go dragon hunting. But it gets very lonesome for the dragon. I'd rather be hunted. than never see any one except the magician. That reminds me; I should like to make a bargain with you. If you will keep that wand and never let the magician have it again, I will let you have all the gold in the cave. I am tired of this job, and need a change of air. Besides, I should like to go out and see some of the world."

"All right," said Royal, " it's a bargain."

He took the wand and changed his handkerchief into a bag. This he filled with gold pieces till it was so heavy that he could hardly carry it. the dragon, who was just setting out on his travels, and wished himself back to the princess.

Then he said good-by to

"Ah, what a clever prince you are!" said the princess when she saw the heap of gold that Royal poured out. "Now I can have that automobile. If I were only properly introduced to you, I would take you for a spin with

me.

But I must go and tell my poor giant. He will be greatly relieved," and with that she hurried away.

Royal was so disgusted with the princess that he clapped the Hat of Babylon on his head and wished himself home, forgetting all about the rest of the treasure.

- GEORGE CARLTON EDWARDS.

G. T. FOURTH R. 9

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