The Washington times., 1913-10-22

over the eide 10 watch the fish, then
gave cry as she caught at her neck
my pearl is gone" she exclaimed.
MY big. black pearl that hung in my
belt. II fell into the river as / leaned
ever &c see the fish. 1t is the great
treasure of my father, and I will give
a thousand pieces of gold to any one
who will bring it back to me. For Il l
lose II it means misfortune to me and
the royal family ..
But it was impossible to get the
PEARL for It had sunk down into the
bottom of the muddy river, No diver
would venture into its unknown depth,
and it would not be likely to be found
in a million years of searching. So th2
Princess passed on down the river be-
tw cen shores lined with colored Ian
terms hut her heart was heavy with
the loss of her pearl.
Little Wong stood wondering about
the matter. Then he saw perched on 4
coll of rope a moon fairy, Tor these tiny
people always come to feasts in China
and find enough sweetmeats to last
them a year.
Too bad about the pear. wasn't it?'
sunken to the Crystal Caverns.'
And what are thee?" asked WonE'
who had heard ABOUT moon fairies all
his life, and was alarmed to see one at
last
We'll, just below Us in the river mere
il Is very deep" replied the fairy; ana
the bottom is covered with a c!eAh'
blue sand. All back in the banks OF the
river Is caverns-great cayerns OF pure
crystal. which shine like jewels in the
light that comes down through the
waves. II is the home of the head
Norman"
PERHAPS the Norman might be able
to find the pearl" suggested Wong.
Very likely he could replied the
fairy. But we fairies don't like to go
into the water
II would be glad to go IL l kEew how
to keep from drowning" laughed Wong.
THE reward would mean a gread deal
to mother and me. for We are poor
that much money would enable us to 80
back I'D in the mountains to her old
home
MY. but you earth people are iSn"r-
ant" sneered the fairy. You don't even
know that. this being the Feast oi
Fishes you can live in the water with
out drowning from sunset till dawn
rs that true. really truly true asked
Wong. DO you declare and cross your
heart that 1t is honest truth?
Did you ever hear of fairy telling
a falsehood?" asked the fairy indig-
nantly. We leave such tricks to you
earth folks. 1t is dark now. Dive right
down into the river with your hands
behind YOUR back and a betel-nut leaf
in YOUR mouth and you will find you can
breathe as easily under water as If up
here in the air But remember you
must be back by dawn. for then the
spell stops and YOU would drown
So Wong put bit of betal leaf be-
tween his lips, clasped his hands be-
hind his back and made a dive down
into the river. Down, down. down. he
sank through the cold waves till at last
he felt the bottom, then he stood on
his feet and took deep breath-yes.
he could breathe as easily as ever and
the water did not trouble him at all.
The bottom of the river was not muddy
AT all, but smooth and covered with
blush gravel Fish darted about his
head and before him, high above. rose
the hanks of the river. But these were
beautiful to see. They were not of
earth. but caverns of cut crystal in
lovely shapes OF trees and flowers. Be
fnr.. the entrance to the largest floated
a pretty mermaid.
Madame" said Wong. politely, have
YOU seen anything Of large, black
n.arl that was dropped i'll the river this
evening""
Yes" said the mermaid. Il found the
pearl and will give it back 10 you on
one condition which is that you catch
and tame for ME the fierce seahorse
that lives in a dark hole about mile
from here The only way it can be
tanned is to place on its head the en-
chanted bride. but that hangs in the
temple in the sacred grove in the EN-
perUrs grounds.
Continued Tomorrow