The San Francisco call., 1906-07-15
1IIE> ODD 7ASt1l0hED[ s a0R

said, clasping the doll close to her
breast There's nothing to hurt you,
and I'll be right here all the time"
Nevertheless she went rather slowly
along the path, which wound in and
out between the tree trunks Very
soon when she looked back she could
not see the hay field any more. Some
birds with bright eyes chirped at her,
but they saw that she did not intend to
hurt them, so they soon ceased TO mind
her.
Perhaps we'd better go back now"
Bertha said. hesitating.
Hurry upw said the voice. do you
think the path is going to wait all
day?"
Bertha looked at the path, and, sure
enough, it had faded away behind her
and was beginning TO fade where she
stood, although in front of her ii was
quite plain. There was nothing else
to do. so she hastened on before it went
altogether.
That's it," said the voice. Were
almost there now"
Il wish 1 could see your Bertha ex-
claimed. Il don't know at all what
you look like"
Pretty soon," answered the voice.
Hurry"
The path led uphill through some
pine trees, and Bertha could see some
most out of breath when she got there.
The white thing she had seen was
cloud, just she had supposed. II
was fastened to a large tree. and il lay
there swaying gently from side to side
in the breeze.
This way" said the voice. which
sounded a good deal louder than II had
before We're five minutes late now"
Bertha looked up and saw a little
man bending over the side of the cloud
His face was pink. and he had white
whiskers like wool. He wore a blue
cap, which hung down behind like a
toboggan cap with a tassel, and blue
coat with brass buttons.
He must be an old fashioned sailor"
Bertha thought. I've seen pictures
of them"
"All aboard the lite man shouted.
Bertha scrambled up the side of the
cloud and got in. 1t was lined with
pink. and when she stepped on it her
feet sank down like walking on a ham
mock. 1t had white sails and was
plenty large enough. as there was no.
body else in it excepting the Sailor.
She sat down at one end-she could
not tell whether 1T was the bow or the
stern. Rose Immediately went to sleep.
The little Sailor was very busy and
very much excited. He shouted his or
ders and then ran TO execute them
her shoulder and was surprised not TO
see the pine trees there; even their
tops had disappeared, so she knew that
the cloud must be floating. The Sailor
came and sat down very close beside
her, signing deeply.
Were you ever seasick?" Bertha
asked.
sick he replied. NO, never did
but 1 had a cousin once who had heard
of IL. and he told me. Very few peo-
pie know I know, but l don't mind
telling you"
He looked at her with cheerful
smile, but she was too much puzzled to
make any answer.
what l mean he went on. after wait
ing a few moments for her to speak
Very few people do-very few indeed
I may say. No, not even the King He
came very near making me a Night
for il. but he decided 1 wasn't long
enough for that time of the year"
What time of the year was it?'
Bertha asked.
1T was Just between January and
February" the little Sailor said. Il
remember there was crack there and
we had the worst time getting 1t
mended. Did you ever see sick?'
Il have seen the sick, If you mean
that" Bertha replied.
That's the same one" he said, nod
ding his head. L wouldn't talk. of it
IL I were you"
I didn't until you asked me-" Bertha
exclaimed.
Yes. but you asked me first, unless
you have forgotten" he said Don't
tell me you have forgotten" he added
anxiously.
I haven't forgotten" Bertha said
but 1 didn't ask you that at all. /
asked you something else
We'll. you needn't repeat 1t, then"
he replied. Let's make believe it's all
right and that you didn't understand
A "