u see it is empty. It is quite a simple slate, such as any
school-child would use, and its sides are entirely bare. Now I close
the doors of the cabinet, so; wave my wand, so; and--"

Immediately there followed the sounds of ringing bells and rattling
tambourine, while in a moment all of these instruments came flying out
of the top of the cabinet as if they had been vigorously flung aloft by
hidden hands. The smiling magician stepped forward, opened the doors
of the cabinet with a flourish, and lo! it was empty save for the
slate, which proved to be covered over with scribbled characters, and
which he politely handed down to persons in the audience for
examination.

Nan was completely bewildered and so lost to all that was going on
about her that she did not realize that the wizard was tripping down
the stage steps and making his way affably up the middle aisle again.
It was only when he spoke once more that she woke with a great start,
and then to her horror she found he was addressing her.

"I am sure this young lady will not refuse me the loan of her hat for
my next experiment," he began with a persuasive smile. "I assure you,
Miss, I will not injure it in the least. You won't object, will you?"
and he held out his hand engagingly.

The girl stiffened against the back of her chair, so disconcerted that
she felt actually dizzy.

"Give him your hat," bade Miss Blake, quickly, as if to put an end to
their really painful conspicuousness.

Nan obeyed blindly. The smiling magician took it with a profound bow
and held it up for all the audience to see.

"Now you perceive, ladies and gentlemen," he remarked, "that there is
nothing mysterious about this hat. At least I am sure the ladies do.
To the gentlemen it doubtless seems very mysterious, but that is
because they do not understand the art of millinery." As he spoke he
made his way up the aisle and to the steps that led to the stage. "It
is a beautiful hat. Very elaborate and of a most stylish shape, as you
see, but not at all mysterious. Yet I mean to make it serve me in a
very interesting experiment, which I think you will admit is
exceedingly won--"

But just here he stumbled upon one of the steps, and in trying to
recover himself let Nan's cherished head-gear fall and brought his
whole weight upon it, crushing it out of all recognition.

"Oh, dear, dear! What have I done?" he deplored in sincerest dismay.

Miss Blake's eyes fell and Nan's lips