Show i I The Sandman Story FOR TONIGHT MARIETTA'S RAINY I DAY SURPRISE It was raining in torrents outside I little and Marietta sat curled up on the window seat with her nose pressed against the tho pane Now No Marietta was very cross for the old rain had spoiled the garden party she had planned this afternoon with her dolls Splash Splash came caine the raindrops chasing one another down the glass and Marietta whose eyes were sadly watching them thought there was nothing in itt the world as ugly as the little round drops They came down I oh so O steadily and Marietta was beginning beginning be be- be i ginning to feel teel very drowsy when suddenly sud end denly an extra hard gust of wind I drove the raindrops sharply at the window I Listen Lister si n to me cried a a. shrill little voice from the pane lo Marietta arietta looked up quickly How queer she said there is nothing but these old raindrops In sight W Weare are not old said the voice If you look very hard you can see for yourself Then Marietta saw that each little drop was a tiny tiny water sprite in 0 a a- beautiful shining dress which changed color colo as as it rolled down the windowpane window- window pane We felt so sorry ab about ut spoiling your party that our Queen said we might tell you about us continued the sprite Who Is your Queen and where does she live Marietta asked The raindrop answered proudly She is the Queen of all the rain sprites and lives in a wonderful silver palace behind the clouds and is always doing good in th the world Well why did she spoil my party by sending you down here today said Marietta In a grieved tone That is just what we wanted to tell you you- about broke In the raindrop but we had to shout and shout be before be- be fore tore y you u would listen Our Queen watches over the trees flowers and grass and every growing t thing ing and when she they need water to drink she calls us us us' together It is usually the night before so we may rest before filling o our r silver 0 hb t I i Do you have have- w wells up there ln in the I clouds from which to fill up your buckets inquired Marietta eagerly for she was so interested about this strange cloudland Not exactly replied the raindrop The i no Queens Queen's pall palace is surrounded by wonderful gardens and there are fountains everywhere shooting up I beautiful tiny drops of color How perfectly lovely sighed Marietta Marletta Mat Ma- Ma rietta t I J wish I r could see them Why you foolish child you do see seey them every y time our Queen has baa a fes- fes When we do our work she rewards us by letting us watch the half circle of fountains First comes red then orange yellow green and hii blue each v shading Into the other Why that is ls our rainbow interrupted interrupt inter inter- interI I n f rupt d Marietta delightedly Of C Course it s 's laughed the raindrop rain rain- drop Our Queen is very generous and always draws aside the cloud curtains cur cur- tame when she sails away so that you can see the lovely colors in the sky And now I 1 must hurry or my special pansy will be thirsty f Oh L do do come again called Marletta Marletta Marl Marl- etta after him as he scampered atter arter his frIends and she was sure he nod- nod I ded hl his head hend nead and smiled as he jumped off th the sill I |