The Washington times., 1903-09-06

there Is nothing at the bottom Of an
ordinary running brook but mud AMI
sand and frogs, but now, when she was
confronted by an amazing spectacle,
Barbette marveled that people could so
neglect this interesting locality. Mr..
Terrapin, in the lead, had pushed aside
some tall water rushes and as Babette
stepped out into the open she cav a
band of funny elf1ns. each busily en-
gagged; they were not exactly catfish nCr
yet the type of woodland imp tina. ore
sees in fairy books, but strange little
fellows with big eyes that darted here
and there through the still water
Mr.. Terrapin was compelled 10 do all
the talking-Babette was afraid 10
speak, for whenever she did so odd
bubbles went scooting upward to be
lost 10 sight, and she felt that she was
fast becoming one of those grotesque
creatures that find no difficulty in
breathing brook water.
They have just about completed your
reflection" said the tortoise, with
smile OF satisfaction. 81 am pleased 10
remark that It will be the crownins
feature of my collection
Babette looked as If she did not un-
derstand.
There, what do you think of that? -
questioned Mr.. Terrapin, with pride
His elfs had set up on a turf of sand
a shimmering plate that looked very
much like glass, and there, in a bowling
position on its surface, Babette saw a
reproduction OF her own little self-an-
other Barbette 'elicately photographed
in the softest of sky-blue colors.
Il might explain" began Mr. Terra
pin, turning to her and lifting his elk
hat from a rather wet brow. when
you looked over into the brook a while
ago you saw a reflection OF yourself,
didn't you?'
Babette nodded.
Well, there you are. My men crystal
liZe the sheet OF water containing the re-
iection and bring it down to the work
shop. There il is polished. the rough
edges are taken off. and finally it is de-
posted. along with others. in my col
lection"
Babette blinked her eyes in astonish-
ment-her reflected self was destined to
inhabit woodland brook for ages.
Along a narrow lane, hedged in by
overhanging grasses that wee fish used
as a loom. curving here and there
among them. Mr.. Terrapin and his guest
proceeded. Babette looked with growing
spread out before her The collection
was marvellous in its way-here a hunt
ing dog, with brown neck strained; there
tall woodmen AK IN hand or smut
faced boys from a near village. who
grimaced as they poised themselves upon
the mossy bank. Sometimes there was
nothing but turbulent clouds or flowers
or swaying rushes that tangled them
selves into quaint design, and on one
oval sheet of crystal the calm face OF a
new moon peeped out, filmy and wrapped
in the blue shadow of supreme mystery.
Il have tried for these FIVE years 10
get the sun" explained Mr.. Terrapin.
but without success, the heat OF our
high-strung friend melting the crystal
before my elves can take it to the
shops"
There was a sudden commotion at the
end of the grass lane, and ten or twelve
fiustered little fellows appeared, each
bearing fragment of crystal.
Mr.. Terrapin turned upon them an
griIy.
What is all this about?" he inquired.
please, your highness. was a squeaky
response. I'VE were just in the act of
moulding another reflection when the
original fell in and shattered the plate
We have brought the pieces.
A sturdy catfish elf. mounted on a
frame, put the first section of the crystal
in place-it was a tousled boys head,
but the lower part OF the features were
gone.
There was a mad scramble. The patch.
the reflection, piece after piece was
slipped in place until the little figure
was almost complete. but they could not
fill out the face. Babette, who had been
watching them with growing consterna-
ton, ran across to Mr.. Terrspin.
IT'S brother Bob" she cried IN
alarm-'it was he who fell into the
brook and spoiled your reflection
please help him-I know he will drown.
Mr.. Terrapin seemed not in the least
excited.
Then you can complete my refec-
tion," he remarked
Babette's nimbIe fingers went through