The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-20
'ART In-THE SECOND JOURNEY.
THE CAVES OF THE OCEAN.


~ oRIs and Mermaid foated on
into the grotto. AS the hole in
- the rocks gradually became
larger the farther in they ventured.
Doris began to fear they would meet
monster. Every time a corner was
turned she felt afraid OF being suddenly
swallowed. like Jonah by the whale
And the cave became a great cavern so
high and wide that the roof and sides
looked like cathedral walls Strange
lights of brilliant hues covered the
walls The floor Of the cave was not a
sandy one. but was bare rock. on which
grew myriad of sponges OF every sort
and size. There were carmine, red. or
ange. and pink ones OF odd shapes.
little green, yellow and blue ones. and
others like striped mushrooms. Their
great size astonished Doris why"
she exclaimed. "a giant could use them
for bath sp0nges."
From the roof hung pendent long ropes
Of seaweed Of pure white color. like
grass that has bleached under a stone.
"Oh. that looks Just like lettuce" re-
marked Doris. tasting bit
That's just what 1t is-sea lettuce"
asserted the Mermaid. only don't eat
II. No one ever dreams Of eating it"
Doris hastily dropped her piece. but
she laughed at the other.
why. lettuce makes the finest salad
in the world
But the impulsive Mermaid was far
ahead again. Presently she discovered
that she was lost. No kind guide an
peared anywhere. and when she tried to
call out an inquisitive little fish poked
his nose into her mouth. She couldn't
cry. for there was a whole ocean Of
SAT- tears there already What was she
to do?
Happily the Mermaid returned after
Doris had about made up her mind that
she would soon become dinner for one
of the shadowy forms moving about
overhead
The travellers had gone on some dis
lance in the cseVe, when suddenly the
Mermaid gave a great leap into the
clear water and then swan back to
Doris Her eyes were large with fear.
Get into that shell. quick There's a
norr1d octopus coming" Doris Dronlut-
~ shrleked; then she slipped into a
giant oyster shell that eared near nv
The Mermaid followed and they pulled
Gown the cover. closing the shell excent
LOT narrow crack. We're safe now
II a good thing that shell was here. .
whispered the Mermaid. her fms waving
ABOUT nervOusly. There he fs-looxtF
Doris looked and nearly shrieked
again He was not so very dreadfni
but he had eight legs. two enormous
eyes and a beak like a bird Besides.
iie was going backward. When he had
passed Doris laughed
Il don't see why you laugh. Won
Sooset pouted the Mermain
1t because everything is so funny
Fstorted Doris. They. all move around
the wrong way. There 5 Holsters that 20
backward Ike that eight-armed thing.
And that shooting clam went in circles
while TIC crabs all go sideways It's
don't walk. but you must go wavina,
around just like ghost" and Doris
! laughed TIL she had TO sit down on a
/ sponge.
The cave now narrowed down TO
/ passage ike hallway and Doris was
| so tired she refused to walk-or rather
swtm-any farther Il wish I had nv
/ bicycle here to ride she said
] Oh. you can have a small ride cried
| the goOd-natured Mermaid: and she
4 caught large snail by its horns That
! cautious beast promptly closed up-but
/ DORIS climbed on It's she'll After a LONG
wait she said: 4 guess it's gone to sleep
] hasn't it2"
oh, no; it's just Obstinate and the
/ Mermaid held out bit OF FISH 10 il
! The snail at once came out and fol-
lowed, Ike donkey after an apple
[ and although it was hard TO keen a
/ seat Doris had a fine ride The snail
! went ever 50 slow. of course but as il
/ was doing its best Doris didn't whip it,
/ On- II better IMAM goat ride.
/ laughed Doris, trying TO sit stilI. .onlv
II wabbles so, Ike riding an elephant"
] w hats that2 asked lhe Mermaid
ITS a very large beast. with trunk"
explained Doris.
well. there's real trunk up there"
shouted her companion. pointing out
queer FISH. shaped like a three-sided box
IL was as stfn as a trunk. indeed and
only its head. tail and fms moved at all
1t had ans on its mead like a COW
! You lie this ride. but for real sport
I a nd rsa,ra
/ up to the surface again
1 The ride was quite long. and they saw
some funny animals on the way. There
/ were dark holes. out of which eyes
! lCoked-'just like pussy in the back
yard" declared Doris There were
| crawling objects. looking for all the
world Ike lengths Of garden hose. with
lace along the back. which the Mermaid
called nereids. and others like pieces Of
tape. CT DinCushiOns- or ornamental pen
wipers. They were all crawling about in
| ar absent-minded way. often humping
into each other or going over one an
others backs.