Page 157 - Adventures in shadow-land

not break, and then, in spite of all her efforts to

escape, and her loud croakings, the floor of the
grotto opened, and spring, trout, and Frog were

gone in a moment.
It all passed in less time than can be told, and

once more Eva and the Toad-Woman were alone.
Your hardest work is over,” the woman said to
her, ** The three tasks are done j you have found

Aster* his coat, and its piece. Here you cannot stay
any longer. When the moon is full again Aster's

long-lost flower will bloom, and you will find it.”
And then a sudden darkness came over every-

things and when, a moment later> the light re­
turned, nothing was as it had been. The Toad-

Woman, her grotto* and the Cascade of Rocks
were gone, and when Eva heard the music which
heralded the coming of the moon, and saw the

silver crescent rise to its place, and Aster once

more woke from his sleep, she could scarcely
realize that she was again in the old, familiar
forest, and the past seemed like a dream.

For in that moment of darkness, the Enchanted
River had disappeared, and Eva knew that the

search in truth was nearly over.