Mexico Missouri message., 1901-11-21
The Mermaid.
BY r. JACK APPLETON.
Copyright. 1901. by Daily Story pub C

He sat on a gray, wave-scarred rock
and gazed thoughtfully out to sea. 1t
was early morning and a tiny salt
breeze was blowing inland, OF which
Van Holden was pleasantly but indo-
lently conscious. His stra hit, aristo-
cratic nose was tilted at the proper
angle to catch this odor so keenly APP
prcciated by these who live far from
the ocean. and his soft hat was tilted
the other way. over his keen blue eJ s.
Van Holden was not in love. He
was not even contemplating suicide.
He had merely arisen early to enj)y
the novelty Of such a thing and had
wandered half mile from the SUNNI n
hotel to this protected little cove. AS
his digestion was excellent he took
from his pocket now briar pipe, filled
1t and struck match.
IF It were not SO beautiful" he re-
marked aloud looking out to the sea
as the match burned up. 'if it were not
real sacrifice to disturb the absolute
harmony of this scene-and IL other
people did not go in 50 much and muss
the water up-I believe | would take
a dip right here and now The
match having gone out. Van Holden
struck another and lighted his pipe
Then he clasped his hands about his
knees and rocked gently back and for
ward 81 ought really to be in love-
he went on, 80 that I might spout
poetry this very minute. Poor old
ocean, How much YOU have borne
from love-sick individuals who insist
on numbering good verse, with you as
an audience, 1t is really too bad. But
| cannot improyisc. and | never could
quote. so you'll be saved this morning.
| ought to be in love, but as no mod
ern Venus is apt to rise from the
waves--by all the gods, I'm not so
, sure! What's that"
His eyes oNened widely as his solilo-
guy was interrupted by the appearance
, OF a rapidly moving. graceful figure,
swimming easily toward him from
around the little promitory at his
right, and Van Holden held his breath
for moment as he gazed Mt 1t. 1t
was assuredly what he had thought at
first glancc--a girl or young wo-
man. swimming toward shore, her rosy
face turned to one side. her white arms
cleaning Il ough tho little whirl or
foam that she made with long. grace
full, overland strokes.
But before Van Holden had decided
that a noiselcss retreat was his cue,
she caught sight of him; and then,
with little scream, seemingly more
of fright than surprise she turned
quickly and started seward again.
But something seemed to retard her
progress, and in moment more the
golden head. with masses of soft hair
piled high upon it, had disappeared
beneath the water.
Van Holden sprang to his feet, and
threw off his coat. Waiting only to
see that she was indeed in need of as
sistance, he tossed his pipe and hat
beside his coat, and plunged into the
cool waves. and struck out for the
spot where she had gone Il der. Acc S.
toned as he was to fresh water swim
ming, he found 1t easy enough TO
make speed here. and by the time she
had come to the surface again, he was
beside her Slipping one arm beneath
hers, he turned upon his back and
swan back to the beach, in that mat
ter-of-fact way in which he was wont
to do everything. Once there, he car
ried the dripping little figure to dry
spot and laid her down. - girl as
unconscious and Van Holden turned to
pick up his coat to throw over her,
when a sight met his gaze that took
away what breath h had had left.
Heavens alive!" he muttered, "T
have rescued mermaid, not a mortal.
Either that, or l am clear crazy!" She
lay on her side, her hair, shimmering
with water, her eyes closed, the upper
part of her trim body clothed in a reg
ulation bathing suit; but at the waist
line reality stopped and romance be-
gan. A delicately shaped, tapering