The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-01
her out of a peaceful, starless sky.

at her out of peaceful, starless sky.
 It was big hole, probably made by a wave. Just outside lay the loyelies. smoothest beach Doris had ever seen; be- yond lay the silver sea, with a cottony cloud or two drifting across the face of the moon. There was group of shadowy palm trees along the edge of the beach, which Doris thought was natural for this must be the Indian Ocean, and at the foot of one of these trees sat the oldest little creature imaginable. She was dressed In sea weeds of all colors-red, blue. green, brown, yellow and white-and Doris de- clded at once that she was a mermaid. She guessed this because the creature had neither hands nor feet Instead she had long, slender fins and her body terminated In beautiful tall, which at the moment was curled beneath her. Her hair was the prettlest part of her, for it was long, soft and of the queerest color ima ginable. Doris thought that the rose tints of a church window came nearest to it. She could not see the mermad's face, but her body was a delicate gold color, with q touch of pink here and there on the scales. The mermaid at this juncture turned, and saw Doris looking out of the broken shell. The startled little sea maid gave a flop and dived headlong into the nearest break CT. She was gone in a fash
 Very much surprised that anything should be afraid of her, Doris walked down to the edge of the water, dexterous- ly lodging the smooth rounded spumes of froth that came sweeping up the beach at every new pillow.
 Before long, however, the mermaid re- appeared in the surf and after a second glance at Doris came ashore and lay down on the sand. Her face resembled q seals, With round, gentle eyes of a soft brown color, and queer little nose that was more like dogs than girls. Her mouth was a mere baby's bout. So gentle and timid she looked that Doris walked over toward her boldly to make friends. You're mermaid, aren't you?' Doris ventured, "and heard your song; 1t was | pretty and-and queer"
 T was singing, but you frightened me so' popping out of that old shell. How ever did you get in without my seeing you! And may I ask what you are?' Why, just walked in at the other end; It's In my garden at home"
 That's foolishl How could 1t be here ready for the journeyY'>>
 What Journey?" asked Doris. | The mermaid stared
 Why, I'm sea guide, and you want to visit the Wonderland-at least, you do il you're not crazy"
 "oh, that would be lovelyl" cried Doris
 But-but I'll drown under water" I AA sou BV III my way ucdu nrst. Come on."
 And before Doris could say no or eveu scream she was dragged furiously through the breakers and found herself standing beneath them on the smooth white sand under water. She didn't seem at all in- convenienced by It and thanked the mer- maid, although 1t was curious way to treat one you'd never seen before.
 And now said the mermaid, well first visit the gardens
 "oh. it's all beautiful!" cried Doris but I can't see very distinctly; everything's s Just green glare" She roticed that when she spoke bubbles cams from her mouth and wabbled up toward he sur | bow.
 "fouH see better beyond: there's a oreadiul current here that takes ,-e dirt and nils the whole place with it, bubbed the mermaid Did you see that troop of Q. .t44 .--s.- .-4