The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-17

river" she continued. dives the great magician, Lokio. Go to him and ask his assistance. He is so kind-hearted am sure he will help you. Tell him that Mother o'Pearl sent you to him. that for her sake she begs him to help you"
 So next day the little Princess set of | by herself and swan to the tower | where the magician dwelt in solitary state.
 The entrance door was ajar. and mounting the winding staircase she reached q tiny turret chamber. There | in a chair of ebony, sat the great magician, an old man with thought full eyes and a white beard that swept | the ground.
 He glanced kindly at the little Sea- maid and asked why she had sought him. When she told him her errand he sighed, and for long time sat si- lent. gazing into crystal ball at his l elbow.
 Then. bidding Princess Sea- Foam | draw near him. he looked steadfastly into her clear blue eyes. Yes. 1t is quite possible for you to gain the whole of your soul.' he ex' claimed. You are good. loving, and kind. and your heart is pure and | brave. But have you thought of what you arc giving up? Three hundred | years of happiness. peace. and securi- | ty for the brief life of an earth maid | en-"
 | But in no other way can reach the Land of the Silver Star" said Princess Sea Foam and I would far rather dwell there than in the home of the IMermaids."
 You must be loved by q mortal and l wed him before you can gain soul. and ere this can happen it may chance Al tn l render your life for that of another. Are you ready to do this also?'
 willingly, if only can secure the rest of my soul" replied the little Sea- maid, bravely. T would sooner be loved by a mortal and live but a short time on earth. than as Mermaid dwell for three hundred years among the sea-peopie."
 Come to me again when four moons have waned." said Lokio, "and will send you forth into the world to gain your soul"
 SO tho Princess. thanking him. re- turned to her home beneath the sea, and when Spring came she went again to Isokio's tower.
 the Grandmother of the Mermaids. 1 who sent as a gift to the magician five | snow-whtte seascattle. To Princess Sea- Foam she gave three oyster-sheils containing three beautiful dresses, | one of spangled star-dust, one of sum | set glow, and one of billowy sea-foam, | embroidered with moonbeams. Then the Princess, driving the patient white | oxen before her, went to Lokio's tow CT and humhly proffered her gift to the great magician. Pleased with the present. Lokio did all in hts power to help her. He gave her a wonderful pair of golden san dals for her feet. and hung around her neck a tiny golden loeket containing a magic crystal
 "On the day that you win your soul this crystal will disappear" he said.
 Till then do not part with 1t. As for the golden sandals, as long as you wear them you will never feel tired or weary"
 So Princess Seal Foam, thanking the magician for his kindness, took leave of him and set forth alone on her jour ney.
 
 Princess sea-Foam thought the earth a very delightful place. At every turn she came upon something new and beautiful. The violets clothing the messy banks. the golden gorse scenting the moor. the song of the lark Tn the blue, all filled her with joy and gladness. Now running, now skipping, now dancing, she sped along a moorland track, stopping sometimes to gaze at the sheep grazing upon the heath fhe rabbits sporting among the bracken. the white clouds drifting oNerhsad' and the purple shadows