* *

A Joliet social item mentions the engagement of Miss Lucille Muff De
Line. We don't recall her contribution.

Gilded Fairy Tales.

(_Revised and regilded for comprehension by the children of the very
rich._)

THE BABES IN THE WOOD.

I

Once upon a time there dwelt in a small but very expensive cottage on
the outskirts of a pine forest a gentleman with his wife and two
children. It was a beautiful estate and the neighborhood was the very
best. Nobody for miles around was worth less than five million dollars.

One night the gentleman tapped at his wife's boudoir, and receiving
permission to enter, he said: "Pauline, I have been thinking about our
children. I overheard the governess say to-day that they are really
bright and interesting, and as yet unspoiled. Perhaps if they had a fair
chance they might amount to something."

"Reginald," replied his wife, "you are growing morbid about those
children. You will be asking to see them next." She shrugged her
gleaming shoulders, and rang for the maid to let down her hair.

"Remember our own youth and shudder, Pauline," said the gentleman. "It's
a shame to allow Percival and Melisande to grow up in this atmosphere."

"Well," said the lady petulantly, "what do you suggest?"

"I think it would be wise and humane to abandon them. The butler or the
chauffeur can take them into the wood and lose them and some peasant may
find and adopt them, and they may grow up to be worthy citizens. At
least it is worth trying."

"Do as you please," said the lady. "The children are a collaboration;
they are as much yours as mine."

This conversation was overheard by little Melisande, who had stolen down
from her little boudoir in her gold-flowered nightdress for a peep at
her mamma, whom she had not seen for a long, long time. The poor child
was dreadfully frightened, and crept upstairs weeping to her brother.

"Pooh!" said Percival, who was a brave little chap. "We shall find our
way out of the wood, never fear. Give me your pearl necklace,
Melisande."

The wondering child dried her eyes and fetched the necklace, and
Percival stripped off the pearls and put them in the pocket of his
velvet jacket. "They can't lose us, sis," said he.

II

In the morning the butler took the children a long, long way into the
woods, pretending that he had discovered a diamond mine; and, bidding
them stand in a certain place till he called, he went away and did n