The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-27

II ORIS was very sure she didn't
want to meet any more mon
L. sters, but the Mermaid was al
ready out of hearing, so Doris
had to follow her as fast as she could
That Mermaid was certainly the most
impuIsive Of creatures. She took every
thing she proposed to do as settled as
soon as said. One didn't have time 10
say, mo. don't lets or I'D rather do
something else but must needs follow
her.
So of they both hurried down a long
hill Presently they came TO very
steep place that Doris thought would
have been splendid for sleighing. only
where could the snow come from2 Just
as Doris caught up with her guide they
found themselves looking over another
of those tall cliffs. Before the Mermaid
could pull Doris over the edge, In her
usual fashion. that young lady lodged
behind a sponge and declared she
wouldn't go down there until she knew
what was at the bottom. why, there
might be a great shark down there. or
whale, or-or something dreadful with
out any name" she declared, resolutely.
well, well, we shall go down in a
shell. then" decided the Mermaid
/
But that wouldn't help US any" pro-
tested Doris. She was ready to go
straight home is she only knew the way.
The Mermaid pulled away some dead
grasses and exposed a beautiful curled
shell. very much like a cornucopia OF
horn of plenty. Rolling this to the edge
she pulled Doris suddenly into il and
they tumbled over into the clear green
water.
That shell was heaviest at the top, and
at once turned topsy-turvy, nearly spill
ing Doris out. But they soon got used
to it. and enjoyed the trip very much.
On the way they dropped right on top
of a huge selly-fish, that Indignantly
drew up his tentacles and tried TO cap
ture the shell. but he was too slow, and
they were soon out Of reach.
Their next adventure was with a large
crab, who hurried out Of his hole and
grabbed hold of the she'll His claws
Just crumbled away the soft shell with
out stopping It's fall, and before any
other monsters" could appear the two
in the shell reached bottom landing
plump on top Of sponge and sinking
down gently TO the muddy floor. Doris
at once tried to escape from such "A
queer boat. but she sank up TO her
, Goodness me- she cried, tits just
pure mud. How are we ever going TO
walk here2"
ped the Mermaid. You can float. can
Il never thought of that answered
Doris, neekly She soon found this
easy to do, and they started out on
their way. From holes everywhere In
this mud curious whiskered worms
poked out their heads. making the water
swirl around in circles. like water run
ming out of basin
More wonderful than these, however,
were the sea lilies Wherever there was
stone or a shell, there grew tall.
graceful stalk. with a great nly-like
head often as wide as Doris out
stretched arms would measure. They
were like other things under the sea, OF
yellow, and bright red Some were
nearly white. like an Easter lily Doris,
however. soon found out that these lilies
had no petals like real lilies, but IN
stead there were in each lily five beau
tiful plumes. like huge feathers. that
opened and closed with a slow. graceful
motion. A strong current OF water was
rushing into the mouth of each OF these
/ flowers. and Doris noticed several tiny
baby fishes drawn into these mouths
'Oh, cruel, cruel lilies, she cried
I You are not like the land kind. for
never saw them eat little fishes like
The Mermaid laughed at this She
was as usual. combing that rose colored
hair OF hers and removing bits or sand
Isn't it curious" cried Doris. "and.
/ oh. 50 prstty2 But they all have mouths
/ like animals. and see those floating
ones, like sunfiowers without stalks
Il don't see why they're curtous-any
more than that mermafds have one tail.
four fms. and two eyes retorted the
Those floating ones bite she added.
mischievously. They are called feather
oh cried Doris. that's just what
they are I wonder if they are those
fallen into the sea?'