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The most beauti-ful-est in all the world," murmured Cap'n Bill in a voice of

horror, "an' no one has ever lived to--to tell the tale!"

There was a peal of merry laughter at this, laughter that rippled and echoed

throughout the cavern. Just at Trot's side appeared a new face even fairer than

the other, with a wealth of brown hair wreathing the lovely features. And the eyes

smiled kindly into those of the child. "Are you a--a mermaid?" asked Trot

curiously. She was not a bit afraid. They seemed both gentle and friendly.

"Yes, dear," was the soft answer.

"We are all mermaids!" chimed a laughing chorus, and here and there, all about

the boat, appeared pretty faces lying just upon the surface of the water.

Are you part fishes?" asked Trot, greatly pleased by this wonderful sight.

No, we are all mermaid," replied the one with the brown hair. "The fishes are

partly like us, because they live in the sea and must move about. And you are

partly like us, Mayre dear, but have awkward stiff legs so you may walk on the

land. But the mermaids lived before fishes and before mankind, so both have

borrowed something from us."

Then you must be fairies if you've lived always," remarked Trot, nodding wisely.

We are, dear. We are the water fairies," answered the one with the blonde hair,

coming nearer and rising till her slender white throat showed plainly.

We--we're goners, Trot!" sighed Cap'n Bill with a white, woebegone face.

I guess not, Cap'n," she answered calmly. "These pretty mermaids aren't going to

hurt us, I'm sure."

"No indeed," said the first one who had spoken. "If we were wicked enough to wish

to harm you, our magic could reach you as easily upon the land as in this cave.

But we love little girls dearly and wish only to please them and make their lives

more happy."

"I believe that!" cried Trot earnestly.

Cap'n Bill groaned.

"Guess why we have appeared to you," said another mermaid, coming to the side

of the boat.

Why?" asked the child.

The Sea Fairies