The Sea Fairies

aglow with lights as they approached

me from?" she asked th

estion. "We use electric lights in our palaces and have done so for th

nquired Cap'n Bill, who was a

and beautiful electric light," was the answer. "We have man

hen compared to that of the electric jellyfish, which they found placed in clusters upon the ceilings of all the rooms of the palaces, rendering them light as day. Trot watched the

s as soon as they arrived. So Trot followed two of them through several passages, after which they swam upward and entered a circular opening. Th

h of white coral, with gossamer draperies hanging around it from the four high posts. Upon examining it, the child found the couch was covered with soft, amber sponges, which rendered it very comfortable to lie upon. In a wardrobe she found several beautiful go

assisted the child to dress herself in one of the prettiest robes, which she found to be quite dry and fitted her comfortably. Then the sea-maids brushed and dressed her hair, and tied it with ribbons of

n he was ready for supper long before his comrade. "What bothers me, mate," he said to the little girl as the y swam toward the great banquet ha

Why should we be c

ou," he explained. "Even the divers in their steel jackets can't stand it very deep down.

ou see. If it did, it might crush us, but it don't. It's always held

e sailor man. "What an idjut I w

hich made them look very funny; but Trot was so hungry after her afternoon's excursion that she did not pay as much attention to the lobsters as she did to her supper, which was very delicious and consisted of many courses. A lobster spilled some soup on

e girl that it interested and amused her greatly. Cap'n Bill seemed a bit bashful among so many beautiful mermaids, yet he was pleased when the queen offered him a place beside her throne, where he could see and hear

to find a number of big, small and middle-sized fishes staring at her through the glass. "That's one bad thing 'bout this mermaid palace," she said to herself. "It's too public. Ever'thing in the sea can look at you through the glass as much as it

r to join them. The sea maidens were as fresh and lovely as ever, while each and all proved sweet tempered and merry, even at the breakfast table-and that is where people are cross, if they ever are. During the meal the queen said, "I shall take

nice," said

ked, "Is there an

ut we are going into the neighborhood of such fierce and even terrible beings which would attack you at once did they suspect y

Magic Circle?

ter of the sea, however powerful, will be able to reach your body

t afraid," returned the ch

Circle drawn around me

an that, yet both Princess Clia and I will both be with you. For today

little disappointed in the ceremony. The queen merely grasped her fairy wand in her right hand and swam around the child in a circle, from left to right. Then she took

c Circle because he felt the same after it as he had before. But he said nothin