The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-11-01
FIRST JOURNEY FROM one GARDEN TO ANOTHER

II was big hole. probably made by
wave Just outside lay the Ioveiiest,
Smoothest beach Doris had ever seen:
beyond lay the silver sea. with cot
face OF the moon There was a group
OF shadOHy. palm trees along the edge
OF the beach, which Doris thought was
natural- Tor 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 sen
brown, yellow, and white-and Doris
decided at once that she was a mer-
maid She guessed this because the
creature had neither hands nor feet
Instead. she had long. slender fms, and
her body terminated In a beautiful
tail which at the moment was curled
beneath her. Her hair was the pref
uest part OF her, for IL was long. soft.
and of the dueerest color ina enable
Doris thought that the rose tints of a
church window came nearest to it. She
could not see the mcrmaid's face but
her body was a delicate gold color
with a touch Of pink here and there on
the scales. The mermaid at this juno
ture turned. and saw Doris looking out
of the broken shell. The startled little
sea maid gave a flop and dived head
lcng into the nearest breaker. 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 dex-
terously lodging the smooth, rounded
up the beach at every new billow
Before long. however, the mermaid
reappeared in the surf, and after a
second glance at Doris came ashore
and lay down on the sand. Her face
resembled n seals. with round gentle
eyes Of a soft brown color. and a queer
little nose that was more likes a dog s
than girls Her mouth was a mere
baby's pout. So gentle and timid she
looked that Doris walked over toward
her boldly TO make friends
You're mermaid, aren't your
Doris venturcd, and heard your song
II was pretty and-and queer"
Il was singing, but you frightened
me so, popping out of that old she'll
However did you get in without my
seeing your And may ! ask what you
aro2"
why I just walked in at the other
end; it's in my garden at home"
That's foolishi How could il be here
and there all at Oncey Well, are you
ready for the tourney2'
t,What journey asked Doris.
The mermaid stared.
why. I'm a sea guide. and You want
TO visit the Wonderland-at least, you
do If you're not crazy"
oh. that would be ioveIy!" cried
Doris. 'But-hut III drown under
water.
"oh. not if you go in my way, head
first come or"
And before Doris could say no or even
scream she was dragged furiously
through tho breakers and found herself
standing beneath them on the smooth
white sand under water She didn't
seem az all inconVenienced by II and
thanked the mermaid although Il was
curious way 70 treat one you'd never
seen before.
And now. said the mermaid well
first visit the Eardenf
"Oh, It's all beaut' said Doris.
but / can't see very dnctlv: every
things just q green she noticed
that when she spoke Pc bles came from
her mouth and Wabbled m toward the
surface They were ali colors OF the
rainbow.
"You'H be better beyond; there's z
dreadful current here that takes the
DIRT and fills the whole place with IT -
5ubbled the mermaid. Did YOU Sc
that troop Of mackerel them Keep
your eyes open now"
ITO BE CONTTNTrEDA