THE MERMAID'S ROMANCE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 56, 7 March 1931, Page 18

THE MERMAID'S ROMANCE

—• The pale moon rose out of the inky darkness and shed a siVwry trail over linlf the world. ■ As Gerard Gurnet w.Vc/ied he saw several figures seated on tU glimmerins rocks. They wore combing their beautiful hair, and as they twisted and turned he could sec their shimmering scales. "They must bo mermaids, they must," said Gerard, and that inquisitive (ish swam closer so that he could got a better view. '■ There seated on a rocky throne, surrounded by her followers,"was tho mcvmaid queen. She was crooning soft, melodies to the moon, and as she sang .. big crystal tears rolled down her clear white and pink cheeks. For she was

sad,- ah! many moons had she sat waiting: for the merman lover, who had been gallant and courtly, so gentle and kind, They had been happy tho short while they had spent with each other, until that.stormy night when he was carried away, and changed to a rock by the Sea Witch whom ho had offended once, As she finished her song tho queen •beckoned her subjects, and sank bejioath the waves. With a swift movement of his gleaming fins and tail Gerard followed, and as he dived down ho met Tommy Teriki, Harry Hake, and Jimmy Jelly-fish, and told them to come too.

;— As the merman porter closed the gates to the city, the four rascals ot Fish town swam in. They passed through the limpet hall, through the pearl walk, and into the scalloped banqueting hall. Under the table the foil swam and listened to- the conversation, "If only we could make the witch dance," said the queen, "the spell would be broken." At. that Harry Hake turned to his companions and told them of a plan ho had. Out. they swam, on and on, till they came to the Witch's castle. In the grounds was the old woman, and as tho fish boys came'up to her, Tommy, Teriki picked up a crab. While she

was angrily speaking to the other boys, Tommy slipped, .the crab down the witch's back. After a few moments she began to hop about in the most extraordinary manner, and in about ten minutes' time .she was exhausted, Tho pale moon set over the inky sea, and its light rested on a happy scene. In the middle of a circle of subjects sat the happy queen and her handsome merman.' And as she crooned sweet songs of happiness-to the moon, four tired little fish swam slowly home to their beds. "WITCH HAZEL" (13). Northland.