<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</SPAN></span></p>
<h2>CHAPTER X</h2>
<div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i092.png" width-obs="200" height-obs="224" alt="B" title="B" /></div>
<p class="st">THE STRANGE<br/>
WEDDING-GUESTS</p>
<p class="cap"><span class="upper">Bright</span> and fair dawned the wedding-day
of Prince Florimel and
Queen Titania.</p>
<p>Though all the days vied in
beauty with each other, this one
seemed to be more radiant with
grace and loveliness than usual,
for every living thing loved the
happy little lovers and all Nature rejoiced with them.</p>
<p>The skies put on their tenderest blue, the sun scattered even
more of its golden treasure, the winds grew more balmy and
caressing, while the flowers were prodigal with perfume, and
the birds were tireless with their joyous serenades.</p>
<p>Though the ceremony was not to be performed till eve, still
the fairies were busy with their preparations at sun-up, and
the palace fairly hummed with their activities.<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>Long banquet-tables had been arranged in the throne-room,
and on snowy napery were dishes, cups, and saucers fashioned
with quaint exquisiteness from flowers, and there were lily
chalices of sparkling dew with which to pledge the health of
the happy bride and groom.</p>
<p>In the kitchen a host of willing workers were being directed
by little Dame Drusilda, and their conscientious efforts showed
in ice cream with fruits of all flavors, charlotte russe, mince
pies, plum puddings, all kinds of berry tarts, old-fashioned
strawberry short-cake, peach cobblers, and apple dumplings.
For the menu of the fairies was composed almost entirely of
the most delicious desserts imaginable,
and they ate what they wished,
and as much as they liked, without
ever getting the indigestion.</p>
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<p>So the day wore on toward dusk, and, though to all the others,
each hour seemed a minute, and each minute a second, Florimel
and Titania in their impatience thought that it would<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</SPAN></span>
never end, the very sun seemed to stand still, as upon Gibeon.</p>
<p>He had left the Brownies to their own devices to be with her,
and while they talked of their union now so close at hand both
were arrayed in their fine wedding-garb.</p>
</div>
<div class="figright"> <ANTIMG src="images/i094.png" width-obs="308" height-obs="285" alt="Conversation" title="" /></div>
<p>“Are you happy,
Florimel?”
she asked him,
for the thousandth
time.</p>
<p>“Happier than
words can say,”
was his fervent
response.</p>
<p>“And you’re
sure you’ll never
regret it?”</p>
<p>“Yes, positive,
Titania. I wonder
what’s keeping
King Stanislaus and the band. They ought to be here by
this time.”</p>
<p>“Oh, Florimel, my happiness would be complete were it not
for the thought of Dragonfel.” At the mention of the wicked
enchanter’s name he gave an involuntary start.</p>
<p>“We mustn’t borrow trouble on his account,” he said, trying
to speak lightly. “He’s across the sea where he can’t hurt
us. Let us think instead of our approaching happiness.”</p>
<p>Then fairies came skipping and running from the palace,
clapping their hands in sheer delight, cheering, and waving tiny
handkerchiefs at a great rate. And windows gay with flags<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</SPAN></span>
and bunting filled with flushed, eager, excited faces all looking
out, while the Cupids were lifted up in arms so they could better
see.</p>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i095.png" width-obs="390" height-obs="302" alt="Waiting" title="" /></div>
<p>“The Brownies must be coming!” cried Florimel to Titania.
“Let us go up on the palace-steps where we can get a view of
them.”</p>
<p>He gallantly offered her his arm, and escorted her to a position
with the rest, from which they could obtain a glimpse of
the road as it wound curving away, with the blue, dimpling
sea beyond.</p>
<p>Down the road came the joyous band, with hearts attuned
to merry-making, and never was a jollier procession.</p>
<p>Beasts and birds alike had freely offered their services toward
making this grand entree as triumphantly imposing as possible,<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</SPAN></span>
and in the long frisking, frolicking,
cavorting line of march were lions,
tigers, elephants, camels, zebras, ostriches,
emus, cassowaries, and many
other creatures of field, forest, and
jungle, four-footed and two, whose
backs bore willingly the burden of the
gay, laughing sprites.</p>
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<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</SPAN></span>
But Florimel could not see King Stanislaus among them, and
was much puzzled thereat. When later they were gathered
together, within the garden-walls, and the beasts and birds had
gone away, after eating all the charlotte russe they could, he
inquired the cause of His Majesty’s absence.</p>
<p>“He’ll be here later,” the Student explained. “He had
some pressing engagement with the Policeman, and they went
away together.”</p>
<p>Suddenly there came a banging on the portcullis so loud that
it seemed to be made with big wooden mallets. Brownies and
fairies looked at each other in consternation and surprise, while
many a tiny heart began a vigorous thumping.</p>
<p>“What’s that?” cried Queen Titania.</p>
<p>“There are strangers outside the portcullis, Your Majesty,”
said the fairy guard, as she squinted with one eye through the
peek-hole.</p>
<p>The banging continued with greater insistence, and, advancing
close to the portcullis, Prince Florimel shouted:</p>
<p>“Who are you, and what do you want?”</p>
<p>“We are friends who have come to the wedding,” said a
mild, gentle voice from outside, “who have come to the wedding.”</p>
<p>“Well, I like that!” exclaimed the Dude, in great disgust.
“Whoever gave them an invitation?”</p>
<p>“We have brought you some fine presents,” the voice hastened
to add.</p>
<p>Florimel seemed undecided.</p>
<p>“Shall we admit them?” he asked the rest.</p>
<p>“Avast, messmate!” growled the Sailor. “You’d better
have a look at the presents first!”<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>“There’s nothing to fear,” said Titania sweetly. “Bid the
strangers welcome.”</p>
<p>The portcullis was straightway raised, and in trooped a queer,
motley crowd. They were attended by four grinning imps in
red who varied their walk with somersaulting antics, and the
arms of all but the leader were full of presents.</p>
<p>These evidently had been selected with much care and
thought for the wedding, and the same taste and judgment were
shown that can be found in nearly all weddings.</p>
<p>One of them had a gigantic pair of scissors which would have
taken as many as a half-dozen Brownies or fairies to cut with.
Another held a cradle big enough to hold the offspring of a
giant.</p>
</div>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i097.png" width-obs="440" height-obs="319" alt="Cradle" title="" /></div>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>A third in a cage carried a hen which was alleged to lay
three strictly guaranteed fresh eggs a day. From each hand
of a fourth dangled an immense round clock, and the faces of
them were lettered: <span class="lower">FALSE ALARM. MADE IN DEMONLAND.</span>
A fifth had a pair of abnormal candle-snuffers. Others had
gifts equally absurd and useless.</p>
<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</SPAN></span></p>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i098.png" width-obs="243" height-obs="439" alt="Champion Hen" title="" /></div>
<p>At the instigation of the leader all grouped themselves in a
semi-circle humbly before the bride and groom to-be, and
Florimel, who was still somewhat suspicious, asked:</p>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i099.png" width-obs="305" height-obs="444" alt="False Alarm" title="" /></div>
<p>“What do you want?”</p>
<p>“We are friends,” said the leader, in his gentle voice, “most
anxious to pay homage to you.”<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>“If you are friends,” said Florimel, “we shall be glad to have
you join in our festivities. Do you dance?”</p>
<p>All shook their heads in unison.</p>
<p>“Don’t you tango or do the fox-trot?”</p>
<p>Again they shook their heads.</p>
<p>“Or sing?”</p>
<p>They still shook their heads.</p>
<p>“But just you wait till you see them at the supper-table!”
said the Dude decidedly.</p>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i100.png" width-obs="405" height-obs="304" alt="Safe Deposit" title="" /></div>
<p>“Nevertheless,” said Florimel kindly, “I trust we shall find
some means for your enjoyment. Have you come far?”</p>
<p>“Yes,” said the leader, “many leagues to do you honor. We
crave your acceptance of these few, simple, unpretentious gifts<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</SPAN></span>
as a trifling evidence of the distinguished consideration and esteem
in which we hold your fair bride and yourself.”</p>
<p>It was plain that he had first carefully prepared and then
committed to memory such a flowery speech.</p>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i101.png" width-obs="314" height-obs="371" alt="Love and scratches" title="" /></div>
<p>In their curiosity to examine the presents the Brownies began
to circulate among the strangers.</p>
<p>When in doing so the Chinaman thoughtlessly put his head
between the open scissors-blades the big, hulking fellow who
held them could not repress an evil inclination, and snapped<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</SPAN></span>
them together almost instantly so that the head was held between
them in a vise-like grip.</p>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i102.png" width-obs="407" height-obs="391" alt="Caught" title="" /></div>
<p>Taking note of this another who had the snuffers clapped
the hood forthwith over an ordinary Brownie so it looked as
though he did not have a head.</p>
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<p>The leader angrily stamped his foot for them to desist from
such rude, ill-mannered antics, whereupon the one reluctantly
released the frightened Chinaman, while the other removed<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</SPAN></span>
the snuffers from
Brownie’s head.</p>
</div>
<p>“You must be weary and travel-stained from your long journey,”
said Florimel, not knowing what to think.</p>
<p>“If you will come with me,” said Titania hospitably, “I will
see that your wants are provided for.”</p>
<p>The new guests at a signal from their leader rose, and when
he bowed his acknowledgment of the proffered courtesy they
clumsily followed his example, while the imps gloatingly patted
their stomachs.</p>
<p>Titania motioned to Dame Drusilda, Violet, Daffodil, and
some other fairies to accompany her, and they led the strangers
up the steps into the palace.</p>
<p>Florimel was strongly tempted to follow, but just then
King Stanislaus and the Policeman arrived very much out of
breath.</p>
<p>They had come singly, and from opposite directions. Just
outside the portcullis the Policeman had overtaken His Majesty,
and they entered the palace-garden together.</p>
<p>“Officer,” said King Stanislaus, “have you anything to report?”</p>
<p>“Yes, sire,” said the Policeman, twirling his club. “The<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</SPAN></span>
path I took didn’t keep straight. My footsteps got so crooked
that I had to arrest them.”</p>
<p>“What did you discover?”</p>
<p>“Nothing.”</p>
<p>“What was it?”</p>
<p>“I said nothing, sire.”</p>
<p>“But nothing’s something.”</p>
<p>“No, it’s nothing.”</p>
<p>“If it wasn’t something then it wouldn’t be in the dictionary.
But it’s no use to argue with you. Did you find a clue?”</p>
<p>“Yes, a good one.”</p>
<p>“What is it?”</p>
<p>“He wasn’t in any of the places I gum-shoed to, so consequently
they’re eliminated. The deduction I’ve arrived at is
that he’s in some other place. As he can only be in one place
there’s only one place to find. That’s easy.”</p>
<div class="figleft"> <ANTIMG src="images/i104.png" width-obs="189" height-obs="270" alt="Patent Churn" title="" /></div>
<p>“Of whom are you both talking?”
asked Florimel curiously.</p>
<p>“The Red Spirit,” said King
Stanislaus. “We’ll catch him
yet. But the lovely bride—where
is she?”</p>
<p>“In the palace, Your Majesty,
providing for some newly arrived
wedding-guests.”</p>
<p>“Well, after you’re married,
Florimel,” said King Stanislaus
seriously, “you must be careful
your wife doesn’t lose her
mind.”<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>“Nonsense!”</p>
<p>“No nonsense about it. It often happens to a married
woman.”</p>
<p>“How so?”</p>
<p>“Sometimes she keeps on giving her husband a piece of her
mind till finally she hasn’t any mind left.”</p>
<p>Suddenly Mignonette and Jassamine, ladies-in-waiting to the
queen, ran shrieking from the palace.</p>
<p>“What’s wrong?” cried Florimel.</p>
<p>“The queen!” gasped Mignonette.</p>
<p>“Yes, the poor queen!” said Jassamine, almost in hysterics.</p>
<p>“Speak!” urged Florimel. “Has anything happened to her?”</p>
<p>“Alas!” wailed Mignonette. “She is gone!”</p>
<p>“Gone!” echoed Florimel, distracted. “Gone where?”</p>
<p>“We know not,” said Jassamine. “We have searched the
palace over, and cannot find her.”</p>
<p>“Where is Dame Drusilda?” asked Florimel quickly.</p>
<p>“She is gone too,” said Mignonette.</p>
<p>“And Daffodil and Violet are missing,” added Jassamine.</p>
<p>“Our strange wedding-guests—where are they?”</p>
<p>“They have flown!” cried Mignonette and Jassamine together.</p>
<p>“Then it is they who have taken them,” said Florimel, as
he ran toward the palace-steps. “Quick—a search! They
cannot have gone far.”</p>
<p>But the Brownies had reached the steps before him, and were
already pointing off at the distant sea-line.</p>
<p>“A sail! A sail!” they cried.</p>
<p>“Too late!” said Florimel. “I see it all now. This is the
work of Dragonfel!”<span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>“Dragonfel!” cried one and all together.</p>
<p>“Yes,” said Florimel. “Our unknown guests were Dragonfel
and his wicked followers. He has abducted them, and
flown with them to his country.”</p>
<p>He bowed his head in great despair. King Stanislaus came,
and placed his hand upon his shoulder.</p>
<p>“Be brave, Florimel!” he said. “The Brownies will go at
once to the rescue of Queen Titania!”</p>
<p>“Yes!” shouted the Brownies. “To the rescue of Queen
Titania!”</p>
<p>“But how?” asked the despondent Florimel. “We have no
ship to take us.”</p>
<p>Quick as a wink King Stanislaus improvised:</p>
<div class="centered"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
<span class="i0a">“We’ll build a raft with magic sleight,<br/></span>
<span class="i0">And brave the sea ere morning’s light!”<br/></span></div>
</div></div>
<div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/i105.png" width-obs="404" height-obs="250" alt="To the rescue" title="" /></div>
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