Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-27

them were 200 of fairy creatures dancing
over the waves, and singing gay songs. A
the little girl looked on with delight, she
raw one from the number approach tht
King and kneel down before him as i
begging for some favor. A few moments
later d little nymph was gliding over tht
water toward the shore. Margaret's JOY
knew no bounds, for she thought:
Now shall be close to mermaid, and
talk to one.'
And when the water fairy reached the
shore, the little girl ran to meet her, cry.
ing:
Dear little water nymph, am so glad
that vcu nave come. Please stay with me- u
The n1,1ph looked into the kind, friendly
eyes, gazing so earnestly into her own, and
nsbed:
Are you Margaret, the Counts daugh-
tero''
When Margaret had told that she was,
lie nvmph continued:
II an Inga, the Sea Kings daughter, and
all nv lie have lived under the waves At
last, I have gained my fathers permission
Z" spend one day on the shore. As the
fishermen, ic the boats, pass over our palace,
have heard them say that you were good
and kind. and ] thought should try to find
you; bat / did not expect TO see you until
morning. "
81 saw your people from my window, 4"
said Margaret, and I came down to the
Ehore 10 gain nearer view. Now, we shall
60 home. and In the morning will show
yoU 0Hr beautiful gardens and the castle -
Inga wore over he" light golden hair q
silver Cauze Veil, without which she could
not live IN the water, and in accordance
with her fathers wishes she was to hide it
on the shore until she was ready TO return
home. Margaret wrapped the veil in her
fine linen handkerchief, and hid it under
large rock. Then the two little girls went
TO the castle and the next day
the Counts daughter and her little
guest wandered through the gardens, where
every tree and flower were a new delight to
IngG The little sea princess had never
heard the blras sing, and every sparrow's
chirp was pleasure 10 her When the
time came thar inga was TO return to her
home, Margaret sadly accompanied her
friend 10 the shore, that she might wave a
last good bye as she glided over the waves.
They first went to the rock to find the veil:
but when they lifted the stone, the beauti-
Iul silver gauZe was gone, and although the
children searched diligently, it could not be
found.
The Sea King, who was now too old to 60 far
from his palace, called his daughter to
hasten home and when he heard that the
Vel was lost he WAS very angry. All the
sea nymphs ran to the shore TO Join in the
search Tor the veil; but morning came,
and the Hymphs must return to the water,
and the veil was still missing, and the
Princess must remain on the shore. For
'aany Gays Margaret and Inga continued to
search 1or the veil: but all their efforts
We're IL vain. The little sea nymph might
have been very happy in the Counts castle,
ior everyone loved her, and Margaret never
tired o. hearing about the crystal palace
under The water with its gardens
o. red and white coral and
walls of the most delicate sea shells;
but the Princess knew how her father and
mother grieved for their only child. And
!nSa, too, often longed to join tie nymphs
IN their dances on the waves. The Sea King
declared that some poor fisherman had
stolen the veil on account of its great value,
Gnd he determined to avenge himself for
the loss OF ms daughter 1t thus happened
that every Usher that ventured ut in his
boat vas, AT the command OF the King,
seized by the angry nymphs and drowned
IN the waves, until Inga, seeing the great
sorrow that came upon the poor families on
tac shore, sent nymph to her father to beg
that he would destroy no more lives. The
King, who could refuse no wish of his