her through the coral doors to King Seaphus.

His Majesty was seated on a throne of pearl, studded with many precious
stones. A long emerald robe fell from his shoulders and on his head
rested a magnificent crown set with glittering jewels, which gleamed
and sparkled in the dim light of the royal chamber.

"Ah, my daughter, whom have you here?" he asked, leaning from the
throne and gazing intently at little Mary Louise. "Methinks she is a
mermaidized mortal!" At which the King laughed loudly, for he was very
fond of coining words and was busily engaged, when his state duties did
not interfere, in compiling a new dictionary.

"You are right, Father Seaphus," replied his beautiful daughter. "Let
me introduce little Mary Louise."

The King rose graciously and extended his royal right hand. Mary
Louise made a low curtsey, finding it much easier now that she was a
mermaid to perform this little act of graciousness on account of the
flexibility of her tail.

Legs, of course, are indispensable for walking; but, then, in these
days of new inventions, when the air is invaded by wing, and the earth
traversed by wheels, and the depths of the waters by mechanical fins,
walking may soon become a lost art! Something like this may have
flitted through her mind, but she only answered in a trembling voice,
"How do you do, Your Majesty!"

"You are welcome, 'Mermaid Mary,' to our Kingdom of the Sea," he
replied. "I hope you will enjoy your stay with us." So saying, he
gallantly lifted his gold crown as little Mary Louise made another
curtsey.

"Let us dress for dinner," said the mermaid.

They swam quickly upstairs between two balustrades of lovely coral to
her bedroom.

It was just like fairy-land; at least, it seemed so to little Mary
Louise, as she looked about the pretty room. In one corner stood a
beautiful bed of mother-of-pearl, hung with varied colored sea grass
for curtains. Sea moss made it as soft as down. In fact, it seemed
almost softer to Mary Louise, who by this time was very sleepy. She
rested her tired little body upon the cushions and in a few short
seconds was sound asleep. The princess mermaid looked at her with
loving eyes, while she sang very low and sweetly:

"Sleep, little sister, for when you awake,
We'll have a fine dinner of fishes and cake!"

I think the mermaid took somewhat after her royal father for she often
spoke in rhyme, which she composed as she talked, while his great
de