lovely doll, that could say

'Pa-Pa-Ma-Ma.'

I was

very fond of her for about two years then she got old and faded, and my mother bought me a new one, which I called the lady doll, she was so grand. After that I neglected my Pa and Ma' doll, and she tried to run away. One of the servants caught her at the hall-door, and brought her to me. I boxed her ears-my brothers tried her by court-martial, and altogether we treated her very badly, and in a day or two she disappeared. That is a week ago-we have searched everywhere for her, but cannot find her-so my mother thinks she must have gone to the Doll Country."

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"Very likely," said the Fairy gravely. "Very likely, I should think."

"Then I hope I shall find her, and be able to insist upon her returning with me," said Ethel.

"Would you ill-use her again?" asked the Fairy.

"I should certainly punish her, for causing me so much trouble-and-then I would forgive her, at least, I think I would. I used to love her so much! I shall never love another doll as I did her.

"The lady doll has disappeared also, but I don't care

about finding her-I never liked her much; she was very handsome, but independent looking. But the 'Pa and Ma' doll had such a sweet face!"

There had been a short pause in the arrival of the visitors while Ethel was speaking, but now a new troop arrived, and she cried

"Oh, dear me, there are my old nursery dolls coming now! Well, you are dilapidated-looking, my dears; you ought not to be admitted."

"All are welcome," said the Fairy.

"So it seems, and that nasty Rod is making quite a fuss over them; it is because I am here, I

suppose."

"Poor dolly!" he said to one that had her head bandaged up to hide an ugly crack, and the loss of one eye, "you have been ill used, my dear. Your mistress ought to be ashamed of herself-how I should enjoy punishing her!" and he kicked up his heels. "Perhaps I may yet have the pleasure, who knows?"

"I shall just whip those disagreeable dolls to-morrow,' muttered Ethel, "for coming here-showing off their forlorn condition to excite pity, I suppose."

"How would you like to be

"Cruel girl!" said the Rod. whipped because some one had broken your nose, and you tried to forget your troubles by going out and enjoying yourself a little?"

"Not at all," said Ethel; "that would be, as my papa says, adding insult to injury-but then, I am not a doll!" "Do unto others as you would be done by," said the Rod.

"How he preaches!" said Ethel; "he tries to make himself out such a just and righteous thing, and yet he is most spitefully anxious to hurt me."

"Never mind about all that, let us follow the dolls," said the Fairy quickly, as the birch rod now closed the gates, and they went down the avenue of flowers haud in band.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE QUEEN'S PALACE.

HIS is nice," said Ethel, "to be really in the Doll Country! what a great deal I shall have to tell my cousins. Florry believes that there is a Doll Country, but that no mortal can find it. I am mortal, and I have found it!"

"You must remember that I brought you," said the Fairy -"and fairies can do anything they like."

"How nice," said Ethel. "I wish I were a fairy. But really I am very much obliged to you for bringing me here. I am pleased with everything I have seen-except-the birch rod."

"Ahem! I am here! beware what you say," called a voice.

And there he was, walking behind Ethel with the gold key fastened to his side.

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Why don't

you stay at the gates?" she asked.

"Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no stories."

"You might answer one in a more civil manner.' "Well, because I don't-that's why. Will that suit your ladyship?"

"If you mean as an answer, I don't think it is much better than the last," said Ethel, turning back to look at the dolls, who walked on, laughing and talking to each other, evidently enjoying themselves. Some skipped about, stopping now and then to smell the flowers.

"Some of the dolls have not been here before," explained the Fairy, accounting for their pleasure, "and all is new to them. How delighted they seem, don't they?"

Ethel had hardly breath to answer the question, so great was her own delight. As she moved on, the avenue of flowers became wider the branches parted gracefully overhead, showing the lovely blue sky and the bright sun. Hundreds of humming-birds flew about, and the air seemed laden with the scent of the flowers.